frank  N.  Parsons. 


Oitft  of 

Qllass  of  UH4 


1*“'. 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/townpapersdocumeOOhamm 


JOINT  RESOLUTION  relating  to  the  preservation  and  publication  of 
portions  of  the  early  state  and  provincial  records  and  other  state 
papers  of  New  Hampshire. 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  convened  : 

That  his  excellency  the  governor  be  hereby  authorized  and  empow- 
ered, with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  council,  to  employ  some  suit- 
able person — and  fix  his  compensation,  to  be  paid  out  of  any  money  in 
the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated — to  collect,  arrange,  transcribe, 
and  superintend  the  publication  of  such  portions  of  the  early  state  and 
provincial  records  and  other  state  papers  of  New  Hampshire  as  the 
governor  may  deem  proper;  and  that  eight  hundred  copies  of  each 
volume  of  the  same  be  printed  by  the  state  printer,  and  distributed  a,s 
follows  : namely,  one  copy  to  each  city  and  town  in  the  state,  one  copy 
to  such  of  the  public  libraries  in  the  state  as  the  governor  may  desig- 
nate, fifty  copies  to  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society,  and  the 
remainder  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  state  librarian,  who  is  hereby 
authorized  to  exchange  the  same  for  similar  publications  by  other  states- 

Approved  August  4,  1881. 


EDITOR’S  PREFACE. 


In  this  volume  is  continued  the  publication  of  the  same  class 
of  papers  published  in  Volume  XI,  commencing  with  Gilman- 
ton,  and  taking  the  towns,  as  alphabetically  arranged,  to  New 
Ipswich.  They  extend  over  a period,  in  some  towns,  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years,  ending  with  the  year  1800. 

The  editorial  introduction  to  each  town  is  intended  to  give 
data  relative  to  the  grant,  charter,  and  incorporation,  and  all 
severances  and  annexations  of  territory,  and  all  divisions  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  new  towns,  said  data  being  compiled  from 
the  manuscript  records  of  the  state  in  all  cases.  The  petitions 
for  various  purposes  are  valuable,  as  furnishing  much  historical 
matter  not  elsewhere  in  existence,  and  the  names  of  the  inhab- 
itants at  various  dates.  They  have  been  in  all  cases  copied  as 
originally  written,  scrupulously  preserving  the  orthography, 
punctuation,  capitalization,  etc.  Many  valuable  documents  rel- 
ative to  soldiers  of  the  various  Indian  and  French  and  Revolu- 
tionary wars  may  be  found  in  this  and  the  preceding  volume. 
Volume  XIII,  the  printing  of  which  has  been  commenced,  will 
contain  the  remainder  of  this  class  of  documents. 

The  editor  desires  to  express  his  gratitude  to  many  citizens 
of  the  state,  who  are  especially  interested  in  its  history,  for 
encouragement  given  him  in  his  labor,  and  for  the  many  favor- 
able comments  awarded  to  Volume  XI,  and  particularly  to  His 
Excellency  Charles  H.  Bell,  for  valuable  advice  and  support. 

Should  this  volume  be  as  favorably  received  as  its  predeces- 
sor, the  editor  will  be  entirel3^  satisfied  with  the  result  of  his 
labor,  and  encouraged  to  future  efforts. 

Concord,  May,  1883. 


I.  w.  H. 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


GILMANTON. 

Introduction,  ........  i 

Petition  for  authority  to  assess  and  collect  taxes,  1737?  ^ 

Petition  of  inhabitants  relative  to  a road,  1770,  . . 3 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  ......  4 

Letter  from  Col.  Joseph  Badger  to  committee  of  safety, 

^ 77^’  .........  5 

Roll  of  men  of  Col.  Badger’s  regiment,  mustered  July 

23,  1776,  ........  6 

Roll  of  officers  in  Col.  Badger’s  regiment,  1776,  . . 8 

Gilmanton  soldiers’  orders  and  receipts,  ...  9 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1785,  . . . . . 10 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  178S,  . . . . . ii 

Petition  to  have  courts  held  at  Norway  Plains,  . ii 

Action  of  town  relative  to  Gilmanton  Academy,  1792,  . 14 

Thomas  Cogswell  to  Hon.  Abiel  Foster  relative  to  the 

academy,  1794^  .......  16 

Thomas  Cogswell  to  Hon.  John  Prentice,  relative  to  the 

academy,  ........  16 

GILSUM. 

Introduction,  ........  18 

Petition  for  a grant  of  the  township,  1752,  . . . 18 

Petition  to  have  the  charter  lengthened  out,  1763,  . 19 

Relative  to  boundary  line  between  this  town  and  Stod- 
dard, 1768,  ........  20 

Relative  to  a wire  factory,  1776,  .....  21 

Relative  to  collection  of  taxes,  1782,  ....  22 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1784,  .....  23 

Petition  for  a new  town,  1786,  .....  23 

Certificate  of  vote  of  town,  1787,  ....  24 

Non-resident  land-owners,  1793,  .....  25 


VI 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


GOFFSTOWN. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Relative  to  church  matters,  ...... 

Petition  from  Presbyterians,  1771 , . . . . 

Relative  to  the  settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Currier,  1771,  . 
Remonstrance  to  Mr.  Currier’s  settlement,  1771 , . 
Proceedings  of  town-meeting,  1771,  . 

Relative  to  a dispute  at  town-meeting,  1772, 

Petition  for  a lottery  to  build  bridges  over  Piscataquog 
river,  1778,  ........ 

Petition  for  the  privilege  of  sending  a representative 
without  being  classed  with  Derryfield,  1779, 
Documents  relative  to  soldiers,  177S,  . . . . 

Col.  Kelley  to  Col.  Stickney,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  Joshua  Wilson,  soldier,  1775, 

Warrant  for  town-meeting,  1780,  . . . . 

Petition  relative  to  church  affairs,  1781, 

Request  relative  to  management  of  town-meeting,  1783, 
Deposition  relative  to  constables’  pay,  . . . . 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Warrant  for  town-meeti  ng,  1783- 

Protest  against  action  in  town-meeting,  1783, 

Trouble  between  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian 
parishes,  1783,  ....... 

Protest  against  proceedings  of  town-meeting,  1783, 
Petition  to  have  the  line  between  Goffstown  and  New 
Boston  established,  1787,  . . . . . 

Goffstown  men  in  first  N.  H.  regiment, 

GOSHEN. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Rev.  Elias  Fisher’s  certificate,  179^1  . . . . 

Petition  for  relief  from  paying  ministerial  taxes  in  Lemp- 
ster,  1796,  ......... 

Vote  of  Lempster  relative  to  ministerial  taxes  paid  by 
Goshen,  1796,  ........ 

GRAFTON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  for  incorporation,  etc.,  i777’  • • • • 

Petition  for  incorporation,  1778?  . . . . . 

Petition  relative  to  taxes,  etc.,  i779’  .•  . . . 

Justice  of  the  peace  elected,  i779’  . . . . 

Account  of  service  done  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 


25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

30 

32 

33 

34 

35 

35 

36 

38 

39 

39 

40 

41 

41 

42 

44 

45 

46 

46 

47 

47 

48 

48 

49 

50 

5^ 

52 

52 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Vll 


Petition  for  the  passage  of  an  act  making  produce,  etc., 

legal  tender  for  debts,  17S3,  .....  54 

Documents  copied  from  Gen.  Jonathan  Chase’s  papers,  55 

Grafton  men  drafted,  1780,  ......  56 

GRANTHAM. 

Introduction,  ........  56 

List  of  grievances,  1777’  ......  57 

Documents  copied  from  Gen.  Jonathan  Chase’s  papers,  58 

Relative  to  town  lines,  1781,  . . . . . 58 

Inventory  for  1775  7 .......  59 

Petition  for  a parochial  parish,  17S0,  ....  59 

Petition  to  have  the  name  of  the  town  established  as 

New  Grantham,  1787,  ......  60 

GREENFIELD. 

Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  to  be  annexed  to  Fran- 

cestown,  1792,  .......  61 

Petition  for  annexation  of  some  lands  to  Greenfield,  1 793,  63 

GREENLAND. 


Introduction,  ........  64 

Petition  to  have  the  boundaries  established,  1714,  . 65 

Petition  for  authority  to  elect  a representative,  1730,  . 66 

Relative  to  ministerial  taxes,  1739,  ....  67 

Military  officers  elected,  1775,  .....  67 

Vote  relative  to  forming  a state  government,  1776,  . 68 

Relative  to  Thomas  Packer,  Jr.,  soldier,  1779,  . . 69 

Soldier’s  order,  1781,  . . . . . . . 69 

Matrimonial  agreement,  Thomas  Packer  and  Molly 

Tarlton,  1779,  ........  69 

Relative  to  election  of  representatives,  17S3,  . . 71 

Petition  for  authority  to  raise  money  by  lottery  to  build 

a bridge,  1789,  .......  72 

GROTON. 

Introduction,  ........  73 

Election  of  justice  of  the  peace,  1779,  ...  74 

Relative  to  a road  through  Plymouth,  etc.,  1781,  . 74 

Petition  relative  to  a road  through  Alexandria,  1782,  . 76 

Capt.  Edmund  Shattuck  recommended  for  a magistrate, 

1785?  .........  77 

Petition  relative  to  boundaries,  17S5,  ....  78 

Petition  for  change  of  name  of  town,  17S8,  ...  79 

Petition  of  Cockermouth  people  for  a new  town,  1791?  80 


Vlll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Petition  of  Plymouth  people  for  a new  town,  1791, 
Capt.  Edmund  Shattuck’s  resignation,  1791, 

Petition  to  have  the  name  of  the  town  changed  to 
Groton,  1796,  ........ 

HAMPSTEAD. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Assessment  of  rates,  about  1764,  . . . . . 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  town,  1746,  . 

Committee  to  prosecute  the  foregoing  petition,  1748,  . 

Request  relative  to  foregoing  petition,  i 749, 

Committee  to  defend  Kingston  lawsuits,  176S, 

Votes  in  town-meeting  relative  to  Kingston  claims,  1760, 
Votes  of  town  relative  to  Kingston  claims,  1767, 
Committee  appointed  to  settle  with  Kingston,  1767, 
Relative  to  the  settlement  of  Kingston  dispute,  1768,  . 

Elijah  Heath’s  account,  1760,  . . . . . 

William  Heath,  Jr.,  soldier,  1 760,  . . . . 

Benjamin  Morse,  soldier,  1762,  . . . . . 

John  Sawyer,  soldier  of  the  R.  I.  expedition,  i77^? 
John  Eaton’s  petition,  soldier,  1780,  . . . . 

Petition  to  be  classed  for  representative,  1785, 

Petition  relative  to  paper  money,  etc.,  1786, 

Relative  to  Revolutionary  matters,  . . . . 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  1788,  . . . . . 

Certificate  of  nails  made,  1791,  . 

Certificate  of  nails  made,  1792,  . . . . . 

HAMPTON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Depositions  relating  to  boundary  line  between  Hampton 
and  Portsmouth,  1669,  ...... 

Agreement  relative  to  boundary  between  Hampton  and 
Portsmouth,  1669,  ....... 

Election  of  assemblymen,  1691,  . . . . . 

Vote  relative  to  granting  new  town,  Kingston,  1694, 
Disbursements  for  soldiers,  1694,  . . . . 

Selectmen  about  a new  town,  1694,  . . . . 

Election  of  assemblymen,  1694,  . . . . . 

Hampton  soldiers,  1695,  1696,  . . . . . 

Hampton  men  in  garrison  at  Exeter,  i695-’96, 
Hampton  soldiers,  April  to  September,  1696, 

New  Hampshire  to  Hampton  men,  1696, 

Warrant  for  muster  of  the  militia,  1697,  . . 

Hampton  men  sent  to  the  fort,  1704,  . . . . 

Hampton  soldiers,  1708,  ...... 


80 

82 

8z 


82 

85 

86 
86 
87 

87 

88 
88 
89 


90 

90 


91 

91 

91 

92 

93 
95 


96 


99 

99 


100 

101 

102  - 
102 

102 

103 
103 

107 

109 

109 

1 10 

111 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


IX 


Remonstrance  against  a township  being  granted  at 

Squamscot,  1709,  . . . . . . . 112 

Another  of  same  tenor,  1715,  .....  113 

Weare’s  petition  for  a township,  1717,  . . . 117 

Warrant  for  parish  meeting,  1719,  ....  115 

Falls  men  present  at  said  meeting,  . . . . 115 

New  Parish  men  present  at  said  meeting,  . . . 115 

Petition  for  grant  of  a township,  1731,  . . . 116 

Bill  of  expense  for  constructing  a pillory,  1732?  • • 117 

Petition  of  North  Hill  inhabitants  relative  to  paying 
ministerial  rates  : addressed  to  Gov.  Belcher  and  the 
assembly,  1738,  . . . . . . . 117 

North  Hill  parish  declaration,  1739,  • • . • 119 

Report  of  committee  concerning  lines  between  North 

Hill  and  the  old  parish,  1742,  . . . . . 120 

Remonstrance  to  foregoing  report,  . . . . 120 

Abstract  from  Dr.  Anthony’s  memorial,  i757?  • • 122 

Abstract  from  Nathan  Blake’s  petition,  addressed  to  the 

governor  and  assembly,  Jan.  28,  1760,  . . . 122 

Relative  to  small-pox,  1758,  . . . . . 123 

Relative  to  a lottery,  1790,  . . . . . . 124 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  a lottery,  1790?  • • • 125 

Petition  for  authority  to  raise  money  by  lottery  to  re- 
pair a bridge,  etc.,  1791,  . . . . . . 125 

Relative  to  aforenamed  lottery,  1791,  . . . . 126 

Relative  to  church  matters,  1796,  . . . . 127 

List  of  land-owners,  about  1738,  . . . . . 128 

HAMPTON  FALLS. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 130 

Petition  for  grant  of  a township,  no  date,  . . . 130 

Petition  of  John  Brown,  innholder,  for  the  privilege  of 

a town  fair,  about  1734,  . . . . . . 13 1 

Deposition  of  Joshua  Pierce,  .....  132 

Petition  relative  to  making  a new  town  of  the  west  part, 

1736,  . . . • • • '33 

Committee  appointed  to  fix  division  line,  and  report  of 

said  committee,  1736,  ......  133 

Action  of  legislature,  1737,  ......  135 

Petition  for  a change  of  dates  of  the  fairs,  1738,  . . 135 

Petition  for  the  granting  of  a township,  1749,  • • 136 

Petition  of  Qiiakers  relative  to  service  in  the  army,  1761 , 137 

Relative  to  incorporation  of  Seabrook,  1768,  . . 138 

Objections  to  the  meeting  called  by  Justices  Bryant  and 

Emery,  1770,  ........  138 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  a committee  to  settle 

parish  difficulties,  1770,  ......  139 


X 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Report  of  the  committee,  177^5  .....  140 

Louisbourg  soldiers,  1746,  ......  141 

Crown  Point  soldier,  1756,  ......  141 

Abigail  DwinnelFs  petition,  i759?  ....  141 

Petition  of  Isaac  Tobey,  1760,  .....  142 

Jonathan  Knowlton,  soldier,  1760,  ....  142 

Isaiah  Row,  soldier,  1760,  ......  142 

Eleazer  Qiiimby,  soldier,  1760,  .....  142 

David  Steward,  soldier,  1761,  .....  142 

Proceedings  in  a parish  meeting,  i773?  • • • 143 

Summons  to  witnesses  in  foregoing  matter,  . . . 143 

Petition  concerning  aforesaid  dispute,  ....  144 

Another  statement  relative  to  the  foregoing  dispute,  . 146 

D.  Bachelder’s  statement  concerning  same,  . . . 147 

Election  of  a magistrate,  1776,  .....  149 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  .....  149 

Recommendation  for  appointment  of  magistrate,  1789,  150 

Relative  to  working  highway  taxes  in  Hampton  Falls 

and  Seabrook  parish,  1791,  .....  246 

HANCOCK. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 152 

Consent  of  inhabitants  of  the  east  side  to  the  incorpo- 
ration of  Hancock,  1779,  ......  152 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  town,  1779?  • • ^5^ 

Petition  relative  to  taxes,  1779,  .....  153 

Report  of  committee  to  locate  a meeting-house,  1785,  . 154 

Petition  for  special  tax  to  build  a meeting-house,  . . 155 

Petition  for  appointment  of  a committee  to  locate  a 

meeting-house,  1785,  ......  155 

Petition  for  authority  to  levy  a tax  to  build  a meeting- 
house, 1785,  ........  156 

Relative  to  building  a meeting-house,  1787?  • • 156 

Petition  of  Jos.  Putnam  to  be  annexed  to  Hancock,  i793?  ^57 

Consent  of  the  town  to  the  foregoing,  ....  157 

Relative  to  militia  regiments,  17S55  • • • • ^5^ 

HANOVER. 

Introduction,  ........  159 

Vote  of  the  town  relative  to  its  boundaries,  1772,  . 159 

Petition  for  an  additional  grant,  177^5  ....  159 

John  Crane  for  leave  to  establish  a hospital,  i773’  • 

Jonathan  Freeman  relative  to  Hanover  addition,  i774? 

Precept  for  the  election  of  a representative,  1775’  • 

Vote  of  the  town  relative  to  the  matter  in  dispute,  . 165 

Petition  of  Lieut.  John  House,  i779’  . • . • 165 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


XI 


Petition  of  Thos.  Clark,  soldier,  addressed  to  the  gen- 
eral assembly,  17831  • • . . • . 166 

Petition  of  Lieut.  James  Goold,  17S3,  ....  166 

Peter  Johnson,  Bunker  Hill,  soldier,  ....  167 

Soldiers’  orders,  17S6,  . . . . . . 167 

From  Gen.  Chase’s  papers,  ......  16S 

Petition  to  have  a part  of  Hanover  incorporated  into  a 

new  town,  1783,  • • . . . . . 170 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 171 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  a magistrate,  1784,  . 172 

Petition  for  an  issue  of  paper  money,  17S4,  . . . 173 

Relative  to  a road  through  town,  laid  out  by  a legisla- 
tive committee,  1786,  ......  174 

Petition  for  a grant  to  make  a canal,  etc.,  1792,  . . 175 

Isaac  Rogers’s  petition  for  a ferry,  1794,  . . . 176 


HAVERHILL. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 177 

Petition  for  a ferry,  1772,  . . . . . . 177 

Extract  from  grant  to  Asa  Porter,  . . . . 178 

Report  of  the  committee  on  the  matter  of  granting  a 

ferry  to  Thomas  Johnson,  . . . . . 179 

Relative  to  dead  body  found,  1776,  . . . . 179 

Enoch  Bartlet’s  complaint,  1780,  . . . . 180 

Abstract  from  the  petition  of  Geo.  Moor,  soldier,  1783,  181 

John  French,  armorer,  1780,  . . . . . 181 

Moses  Dow  declines  to  accept  an  election  as  a member 

of  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  1784,  • • 182 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  paper  money,  1786,  . . 183 

Selectmen’s  protest  to  the  grant  of  a ferry  to  Ezekiel 

Ladd,  . . . . . . . . . 183 

Petition  for  an  act  of  incorporation  for  the  academy, 

17931  . . . . . . • . . 184 

Subscriptions  towards  building  a bridge  over  Connec- 
ticut river,  1794,  * * • * • • • ^85 

Asa  Porter  for  a ferry,  . . . . . . * 186 

John  Hurd  relative  to  roads,  1774,  . . . . 186 

Representation  of  services  done  by  the  town  during  the 

war,  and  its  present  condition,  17981  • . • 187 


HENNIKER. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 189 

Petition  of  the  inhabitants  to  have  the  town  incorpo- 
rated, 1768,  ........  189 

Return  of  men  raised  for  the  army,  i77^’  • • • ^9^ 

Roll  of  Capt.  Aaron  Adams’s  company,  177^’  * ♦ ^9^ 


Xll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Joseph  Patterson,  wounded  soldier,  1778,  . . . 193 

Abraham  Kimball,  wounded  soldier,  ....  193 

Soldier’s  order,  1779,  .......  194 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  a committee  to  locate  a 

meeting-house,  1786,  ......  194 

HILL. 

Introduction,  ........  195 

Petition  to  be  incorporated  into  two  towns,  1776,  . 196 

Arms  and  ammunition  asked  for,  1776,  . . . 197 

Petition  to  be  incorporated,  1778,  ....  197 

Certificate  of  soldiers  exempt  from  poll  tax,  . . 19S 

Deposition  of  Capt.  Edward  Everett,  . . . . 198 

David  Emerson  recommended  for  coroner,  1782,  . 199 

Return  of  number  of  ratable  polls,  17^3?  • • • 199 

Deposition  of  Joseph  Emmons,  1781,  ....  200 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1785,  . . 200 

Petition  for  a division  of  the  town,  1787,  . . . 201 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1789,  . . 202 

HILLSBOROUGH. 

Introduction,  ........  203 

Hillsborough  soldiers  in  R.  I.  expedition,  1778,  . . 203 

A list  of  alarm  men  in  Hillsborough,  1776,  . . . 204 

Return  of  a soldier,  1779,  ......  205 

Bounties  advanced  by  towns,  1782,  ....  205 

Lieut.  Sam.  Bradford’s  petition,  1781,  . . . 205 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  17S0,  . . 206 

Relative  to  drawing  town  lots,  1784,  ....  207 

Relative  to  date  of  annual  meeting,  . . . 20S 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  .....  209 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1785,  • • 209 

Relative  to  Robert  Tinney,  soldier,  . . . . 210 

Relative  to  incorporating  a town  library,  i797’  • * 

HINSDALE. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 212 

Col.  Josiah  Willard’s  account  for  supplies  furnished  sol- 
diers, 1750,  ........  213 

Col.  Ebenezer  Hinsdale’s  bill,  1785,  . . . . 214 

Relative  to  Dummer’s  ferry,  . . . . . 215 

Relative  to  abatement  of  taxes,  i779’  • • • * 

Relative  to  Vermont  controversy,  1781,  . . . 217 

Petition  for  a grant  of  a ferry,  1785,  . . . . 218 

Relative  to  aforesaid  ferry,  17S6,  ....  218 

Another  petition  relative  to  same,  1786,  . . . 219 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 

Deposition  of  Josiah  Wheeler,  17S6,  . . . . 

Deposition  of  Nathaniel  Stearns,  1786, 

James  Hubbard  for  a ferry,  1786,  . . . . 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  17S9,  . . . . . 

Petition  for  authority  to  send  a representative,  1793, 
Petition  for  the  privilege  of  a lottery,  1795?  • 

Petition  of  Nathan  Willard  for  a grant  of  Gravel  Island, 

\795’  • • * , • 

Petition  of  Zebulon  Moffatt,  soldier,  1776,  addressed  to 
the  general  court,  ....... 

Account  for  soldiers’  bounties,  etc.,  . . . . 

HOLDERNESS. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  for  a regrant  of  some  forfeited  rights. 

Petition  for  arms  and  ammunition,  1776? 

Hercules  Mooney’s  petition,  1779,  . . . , 

Holderness  soldier,  1782,  ...... 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  class  for  representative,  1785, 

Maj.  Sam.  Shepard  recommended  for  a magistrate, 
1789,  ......... 

Against  the  appointment  of  Sam.  Shepard,  . 

Petition  for  the  laying  out  of  a road  from  Plymouth  to 
Hill,  1798,  ........ 

HOLLIS. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Peter  Wheeler’s  petition,  1761 , . . . . . 

Joshua  Wright’s  petition,  1760,  . . . . . 

Selectmen’s  account  for  taking  an  inventory  of  New 
Ipswich,  1761, 

Petition  from  inhabitants  of  Dunstable  to  be  annexed  to 
Hollis,  1762,  ........ 

Vote  at  a town-meeting,  1764,  . . . . . 

Vote  at  a town-meeting,  176S,  . . . . . 

Appointment  of  Sam.  Farley,  agent,  1768,  . 

Petition  for  the  formation  of  a new  town,  1768,  . 
Petition  for  the  formation  of  a new  town,  1769,  . 
Boundaries  of  Raby,  1769,  . . . . . . 

Agreement  relative  to  extending  the  town  further  east, 

1773.  • • • • 

Petition  of  Dunstable  parties  to  be  annexed  to  Hollis, 

1 7 73  ?••••••••• 

Consent  of  Dunstable  to  the  foregoing,  1773, 

Relative  to  a Hollis  man  enlisted  in  Massachusetts  res’- 
iment,  1778,  ........ 


xiii 

219 

220 

221 

222 

222 

223 

224 

225 
225 


226 

226 

227 

227 

228 
228 

228 

229 

230 

230 


231 

232 
232 

232 

233 

234 
234 

234 

235 

235 

236 

236 

237 

238 


239 


XIV 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Relative  to  appointment  of  officers  in  the  militia,  1775,  239 

Relative  to  the  estates  of  absentees,  1779,  • . . 240 

Estates  of  Hollis  absentees,  1779,  ....  241 

Account  of  sale  of  confiscated  counterfeiters’  tools,  1780,  243 

Petition  of  Capt.  Reuben  Dow,  1778,  ....  242 

Aid  to  the  family  of  Jacob  Danforth,  1779,  . . . 243 

Soldiers’  Petition  for  an  allowance  for  the  depreciation 

of  their  pay,  1781,  . . . . . . . 244 

Relative  to  Lemuel  Blood,  soldier,  1782,  . . . 244. 

Testimony  of  Reuben  Blood  and  Wm.  Cormick  con- 
cerning the  same,  1780,  ......  244. 

Deposition  of  Jeremiah  Prichard,  1778,  . . . 245 

Soldiers’  orders,  ........  245 

Relative  to  estate  of  Wm.  Brown,  an  absentee,  1784,  . 245 

Relative  to  the  restoration  of  Monson,  1782,  . . 246 

Petitioners’  tax,  1782,  .......  246 

Statement  of  a grievance,  1783,  .....  347 

Relative  to  articles  of  confederation,  17S3,  . . . 248 

Petition  of  certain  persons  to  be  set  off  to  Raby,  1783,  249 

Opposition  of  Hollis  to  the  petition  of  Raby,  1785,  . 250 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  1784,  . . . . . 251 

HOOKSETT. 

Introduction,  . . . . . . . . 252 

Petition  of  Joshua  Abbott  for  a ferry,  J782,  . . . 253 

Petition  of  Dustin  and  Martin  for  a ferry,  1782,  . . 253 

Petition  of  McGregore  and  Duncan  for  exclusive  privi- 
lege of  locking  Hooksett  falls,  17945  • • • 254 


HOPKINTON. 


Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  for  the  privilege  of  having  a representative, 
1773,  ......... 

Relative  to  the  formation  of  counties,  1772,  . 
Proceedings  of  a town-meeting,  1772,  . : . . 

Relative  to  the  formation  of  counties,  1772,  . 

Capt.  Stillson  relative  to  soldiers,  1776, 

John  Hale  declines  the  appointment  of  major,  1777, 
Petition  of  Timothy  Clements,  1778,  . . . . 

Remonstrance  to  the  appointment  of  Benj.  Wiggin, 

^7^5’  ' • • • * • '-r.  .* 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  Benjamin  Wiggin  as  a 
magistrate,  17S6,  ....... 

Another  petition  in  favor  of  Wiggin,  1786,  . 

Petition  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Joshua  Morse,  17S6, 


255 

257 


259 

260 

260 

261 

261 

362 

263 

264 


GENERAL  CONTENTS.  XV 

Another  remonstrance  to  Mr.  Wiggin,  . . . 265 

Enlistment  papers,  i77^’  ......  266 

Depositions  relative  to  service  in  the  army,  i777>  • 266 

Enlistments,  1781,  . . . . . . . 267 

Certificate  of  soldiers  mustered,  1781,  . . . . 267 

Petition  of  Joseph  Marsh,  soldier,  1787,  . • . 268 

Petition  of  Samuel  French,  soldier,  1787,  . • . 268 

Petition  of  Elijah  Smart,  soldier,  1791?  • • • 269 

Hopkinton  men  in  the  First  N.  H.  Regiment,  . . 269 

Remonstrance  to  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Jacob  Cram, 

1789,  .........  270 

Another  remonstrance  of  the  same  import,  17S9,  • 272 

HUDSON. 

Introduction,  ........  273 

Nottingham  West  men  in  First  N.  H.  Regiment,  . 273 

Complaint  concerning  Rev.  Nathaniel  Merrill,  1747,  . 274 

Granting  authority  to  Mr.  Cummings  to  petition  the 

legislature,  1747“*  .......  275 

Relative  to  ministerial  affairs,  i747?  ....  275 

Alleged  illegal  voting,  i747i  .....  276 

Petition  relative  to  foregoing,  i747^  ....  277 

Statement  in  favor  of  Moses  Hadley’s  petition,  . . 278 

Relative  to  Jonathan  Searle,  1 775,  ....  278 

Relative  to  land  of  Wm.  Brattle,  i777’  • • • 279 

Relative  to  the  protection  of  fish,  177S,  • . . 280 

Petition  relative  to  aforesaid  act,  1779,  . . . 280 

Petition  of  Thomas  Caldwell,  1783,  ....  282 

Depositions  of  Cummings,  Cross,  and  Hale,  1783,  . 283 

Statement  relative  to  building  the  road,  1 783,  . . 284 

More  relative  to  said  road,  1783,  .....  285 

Petition  of  Sarah  Bradbury,  17S0,  ....  286 

Petition  of  Richard  Cutter,  soldier,  ....  286 

Asa  Davis  recommended  for  a magistrate,  1785,  . . 286 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  a library,  1797,  . . 287 

JACKSON. 

Introduction,  ........  288 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1796,  ....  289 

Another  petition  relative  to  incorporation,  1797,  . . 290 

Another,  relative  to  incorporating  a town,  1799,  . . 290 

JAFFREY. 

Introduction,  ........  291 

Bounds  of  the  township,  as  granted  Nov.  30,  1749,  . 292 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  town,  1773,  . . 292 


XVI 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Case  of  assault  before  courts  were  established  in  the 


county,  1775,  . . _ 293 

Evidence  relative  to  foregoing,  .....  294 

Petition  of  Daniel  Russell,  soldier,  1777,  . . . 295 

Petition  of  Ephraim  Adams,  soldier,  1779,  . . . 296 

Soldiers’  orders,  ........  296 

Petition  of  Lucy  Wesson,  1782,  .....  297 

James  Turner,  soldier,  ......  297 

Petition  of  Benjamin  Dole,  1785,  ....  298 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  J783,  .....  298 

Relative  to  Kendall  Parsons,  soldier,  ....  299 

Petition  for  authority  to  raise  a company  of  cavalry, 

1786,  .........  299 

Relative  to  Peterborough  Slip,  1787,  ....  300 

Protest  against  setting  off  a portion  of  the  town,  1787,  300 

JEFFERSON. 

Introduction,  ........  303 

John  Goffe,  relative  to  township  bounds,  1770,  . . 304 

Order  to  survey  a tract  of  land  for  David  Page,  1773,  . 305 

Petition  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  1793,  • . . 305 

KEENE. 

Introduction,  ........  306 

Agent  appointed  to  get  the  town  incorporated,  1750,  . ' 307 

Jeremiah  Hall  appointed  agent  to  obtain  an  act  of  in- 
corporation, 1750,  .......  308 

John  and  Ruth  Dinsmoor’s  petition,  1750,  . . . 308 

Benj.  Guild  appointed  to  assist  Capt.  Hall,  1750?  • 309 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  town,  1751,  . . 309 

Another  petition  for  an  incorporation,  i7‘^3,  . . 310 

Relative  to  inoculation  for  small-pox,  1776,  . . 31 1 

Petition  for  a lottery  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 

bridge,  1778, _ . 312 

Relative  to  a lottery  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 

bridge,  1778,  . . . _ 313 

Relative  to  trial  of  several  royalists,  i777’  * * • 3H 

Jeremiah  Stiles  chosen  magistrate,  1777?  • • • 3^5 

Deserters  from  the  army,  1777,  . . . . . 316 

Documents  relative  to  Capt.  Sam.  Weatherbee,  177^?  • 3^^ 

Col.  Wyman’s  certificate,  ......  316 

Deposition  of  Ebenezer  Putnam,  . ....  316 

John  Hart’s  discharge,  1776,  . . . . . 317 

Resignation  of  Maj.  Timothy  Ellis,  i779»  • * * 3^7 

Substitute  for  Nehemiah  Town,  1780,  . . . . 317 

Nehemiah  Brown,  wounded  soldier,  . . . . 318 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


XVll 


Petition  of  Charles  Rice,  Bunker  Hill  soldier,  1791, 
Warrant  from  Vermont  for  the  election  of  two  repre- 
sentatives, 1 781 5 ....... 

John  Balch,  post-rider,  1781,  . . . . . 

Timothy  Balch,  post-rider,  1^8^,  . . . . 

Relative  to  taxes  on  estates  of  absentees,  1783, 
Resignation  of  Timothy  Ellis,  1782,  . . . . 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  the  county  jail,  1783,  . . . . . 

Taxes  on  land  of  absentees,  1785,  . . . . 

Certificates  of  nails  made,  1789,  . . . . . 

Election  of  a representative,  1794,  . . . . 


3'8 

318 

319 

320 

320 

321 

321 

322 

322 

323 
323 


KENSINGTON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petitions  of  soldiers,  ....... 

Petition  for  a grant  of  land,  . . . . . 

Ebenezer  Brown’s  complaint,  1 778?  . . . . 

Petition  for  a paper  currency,  1785,  . . . . 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

An  appeal  for  Dr.  Benj.  Rowe,  about  1785, 

Petition  for  a coroner,  1786,  . . . . . 

Jeremiah  Fogg’s  declination  of  the  office  of  Adjutant- 
General,  1786,  ....... 


324 

324 

325 

326 

327 

327 

328 

329 
329 


KINGSTON. 


Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  for  a confirmation  of  the  grant  and  specification 
of  its  bounds,  ........ 

Precept  for  an  election,  1710, 

Kingston  men’s  names,  1727,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  taxation  by  Massachusetts,  1731, 

Petition  of  inhabitants  of  the  easterly  part  for  a new 
parish,  1738,  ........ 

Petition  for  a grant  of  land,  1738,  . . . . 

Action  of  town-meeting,  1742,  . . . . . 

Petition  for  lands,  1750,  ...... 

Action  of  town  relative  to  roads,  1755, 

Petition  relative  to  a road,  1755,  . . . . . 

Report  of  a committee  on  the  foregoing,  1755, 

Petition  for  encouragement  to  manufacture  salt,  1776, 
Petition  for  a lottery,  1777,  ...... 

John  Prescott,  soldier,  1753,  . . . . . 

Abstracts  from  petitions  of  French  War  soldiers, 

Capt.  Samuel  Fifield’s  certificate,  1762, 

Petition  of  John  Dent,  soldier,  1759,  . . . . 

2 


330 

331 

332 

332 

333 

334 

335 

336 

337 
33S 

339 

339 

340 

341 

341 

342 

342 

343 


XVlll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Petition  of  Paul  Pressey,  soldier,  1759, 
Certificate  relative  to  foregoing,  1759,  . 
Jeremiah  Bartlett’s  petition,  1778, 
Soldiers’  orders,  . . . . . 

Petition  of  Sarah  Hobart,  1797,  . 
Relative  to  the  militia,  17S4, 

Another  concerning  militia,  1785, 
Certificate  of  nails  made  in  1791, 


344 

344 

344 

345 
345 
345 
347 
350 


LANCASTER. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  of  David  Page  for  more  land,  1773, 

Relative  to  representative,  1775,  . . . . . 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Petition  of  Col.  Bucknam  for  the  grant  of  a ferry,  1784, 
Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1787,  . 
Petition  relative  to  roads,  1788,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  the  formation  of  Coos  county,  1790,  . 
Petition  for  a new  county,  1791,  . . . . . 

Petition  to  have  the  right  of  ferries  vested  in  the  town, 
1792,  . . . . . . 

Petition  for  authority  to  levy  a special  tax  for  road  pur- 
poses, 1792,  ........ 

Petition  of  Eleazer  Rosbrook  for  a ferry,  1792, 

Petition  for  special  tax  to  make  roads,  1793, 

Record  of  a town-meeting,  1793,  . . . . . 

LANDAFF. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Town-meeting  proceedings,  i777’  . . . . 

Petition  for  an  allowance  for  services  in  the  war,  1786, 
Relative  to  representative  class,  1788,  . . . . 

Landaff  claims  Edward  Marden,  soldier,  1786, 

Relative  to  a Bunker  Hill  soldier,  etc.,  i794? 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1789,  . 
Petition  relative  to  sending  representative,  1799,  • 


351 

351 

352 

352 

353 

353 

354 
356 

356 

357 

358 

359 
359 

360^ 


361 

361 

-^62 

363 

364 

365 

365 

366 


LANGDON. 

Introduction,  ........  367 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1789,  . • 367 

Petition  for  special  tax  to  build  a meeting-house,  i793?  3^S 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  extending  its  north  line,  1795,  368 


LEBANON. 

Introduction,  ........  369 

Report  of  committee  on  boundaries,  1768,  . . . 369 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


xix 


Return  of  arms  and  equipments,  1775, 

Petition  of  Nathaniel  Bugbee,  soldier,  1777? 

Certificate  relative  to  foregoing,  1777,  .... 

Petition  of  John  Slapp,  177^’  ..... 

Soldier’s  order,  1785,  ....... 

Documents  copied  from  Gen.  Chase’s  papers,  1777’ 
Wm.  Dana’s  return,  i777?  ...... 

Relative  to  a committee  of  conference,  i777’ 

Letter  from  Nehemiah  Estabrook,  i777’ 

Complaint  of  N.  H.  adherents,  1778,  .... 

Relative  to  an  alleged  riot,  1779,  .... 

Protest  against  the  action  of  the  town,  17S0, 

Call  for  a conference  meeting,  1780,  . . . . 

Relative  to  Vermont  controversy,  17S2, 

Disputed  jurisdiction,  1782,  ..... 

Relative  to  recording  grants  in  office  of  the  secretary  of 
state,  1783,  ........ 

Protest  against  the  incorporation  of  a district  to  be 
called  Dresden,  1783  : incomplete,  .... 

Relative  to  the  collection  of  taxes. 

Relative  to  the  incorporation  of  Dresden,  17S3?  • 
Relative  to  the  incorporation  of  Dresden,  1783,  . 
William  Dana’s  petition  fora  ferry,  1784, 

Petition  for  a new  town,  1785,  ..... 

Samuel  Bailey  for  a ferry,  17S5,  ..... 

Relative  to  the  charter  of  the  town,  1786, 

Relative  to  town  boundaries,  1 786,  .... 

Report  of  committee  on  boundaries,  1786,  . 

Certificate  of  nails  made,  1791,  ..... 


370 

371 
371 

371 

372 

372 

373 

374 

374 

375 

376 

376 

377 
37S 

379 

380 


3S1 

382 

382 

384 

384 

385 
•?S6 

387 

388 

388 

389 


LEE. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Relative  to  Edward  Dearborn,  soldier,  177^9 
Edward  Leathers’s  order,  17S4,  . . . . . 

Dr.  James  Brackett  recommended  for  a magistrate, 

1785;  •. 

Assessment  list  for  taxes,  17S7,  . . . . . 

Notice  of  a meeting  of  alarm-men,  1787, 

Officers  chosen  at  said  meeting,  . . . . . 

Job  Runnels  recommended  for  a magistrate,  1789, 

Paul  Giles  recommended,  1789,  . . . . . 


390 

390 

391 

391 

392 
394 
394 

394 

395 


LEMPSTER. 

Introduction,  ........  396 

Relative  to  the  town’s  quota  of  soldiers,  1783,  . . 396 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  .....  397 


XX 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Civil  magistrate  wanted,  1785,  . . . . . 

Assessment  list,  1787,  ....... 

Relative  to  town  boundaries,  1788,  . . . . 

Opposition  to  the  north-east  corner  petition,  1790, 
Remonstrance  to  having  the  north-east  corner  set  off, 
1790,  ......... 

Petition  to  have  the  north-east  part  set  off,  and  with 
other  territory  incorporated  into  a town,  1791,  . 

Vote  of  the  town  relative  to  the  foregoing,  1791,  . 

Vote  of  the  town  of  Newport  relative  to  same. 

More  opposition,  ....... 

Portion  proposed  to  be  taken  from  Lempster  to  form  a 
new  town,  ........ 


397 

39S 

399 

399 

400 


401 

402 
402 

402 

403 


LINCOLN. 

Introduction,  .... 
Petition  for  re-grant  of  township,  . 


404 

404 


LISBON. 

Introduction,  ........  404 

Representatives  chosen  to  attend  the  convention  at  Leb- 
anon, 1777’  ........  405 

Statement  of  condition  of  the  town  and  service  in  the 

war,  1786,  ........  406 

Statement  of  town  affairs,  1787?  .....  407 

John  Young  relative  to  town  affairs,  1789,  . . . 410 

John  Young  wants  a patent  for  building  chimneys, 

• • • • • • • • • 2^1 2 
Capt.  Samuel  Young’s  petition,  .....  413 


LITCHFIELD. 


Introduction,  ........  414 

Warrant  for  town-meeting,  i743i  ....  415 

Vote  at  said  meeting,  1743?  ......  416 

Relative  to  paying  rates  in  two  towns,  1746?  • • 416 

James  Hill’s  receipts,  i745^  .....  417 

Invoice  of  Lieut.  Pelatiah  Russell’s  equipments  lost  in 

the  service,  i757’  • * • • • • • 4^7 

Capt.  John  Parker’s  petition,  iyy6,  . . . ’ . 418 

Litchfield  men  at  Ticonderoga  alarm,  i777’  • • 4^^ 

Relative  to  being  classed  for  representative,  1780,  . 419 

James  Underwood  relative  to  some  confiscated  estates, 

1780,  .........  4^0 

William  Patterson  relative  to  some  confiscated  estates, 

1782,  420 


GENERAL  CONTENTS.  Xxi 

Selectmen  concerning  soldiers,  17S35  • . • • 421 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  17S3?  .....  422 

Relative  to  their  quota  of  soldiers,  17S3,  . . . 422 

Petition  for  a bridge  at  Cromwell’s  Falls,  1794?  • • 4^3 

LITTLETON. 

Introduction,  ........  424 

Relative  to  taxes,  17S6,  ......  425 

Relative  to  a tax  for  building  roads,  17^5,  . . • 425 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  17S85  • • 426 

Relative  to  taxing  non-residents,  1791,  • . • 427 

Lieut.  Peleg  Williams’s  petition,  1793,  . . . 428 


LONDONDERRY. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Relative  to  the  burning  of  Matthew  Clark’s  house, 

1725^  / • . 

Order  relative  to  laying  out  some  land,  1728, 

Warrant  for  town-meeting,  1733,  . . . . 

Charge  against  the  legality  of  a town-meeting,  1736, 
Precept  for  the  election  of  an  assemblyman,  1736, 

Two  sets  of  town  officers  chosen,  1737, 

Relative  to  a new  parish,  1737,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  a parish  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town, 

^739’  ......... 

Proposals  for  peace,  1737?  ...... 

Return  of  laying  out  a highway,  1738^  . . . . 

Petition  from  persons  formerly  belonging  to  Dracut  for 
a parish,  1741,  ....... 

Londonderry  bounds,  ....... 

Relative  to  a road,  1743,  ...... 

Certificate  of  service  of  a notice,  1742, 

Report  of  a committee  on  roads,  1743, 

Petition  for  a reduction  of  the  number  of  licensed  tav- 
erns in  town,  1758,  ....... 

Special  town-meeting  called  for,  1745, 

Relative  to  taxes,  1745,  ...... 

Order  to  the  constable  to  collect  taxes,  1764, 

Relative  to  the  election  of  an  assemblyman,  1762, 
Election  of  assemblyman  disputed,  1762, 

Abstracts  from  petitions  of  French  war  soldiers,  . 
Relative  to  the  formation  of  counties,  1769,  . 

An  address  to  the  governor,  1773,  . . . . 

Relative  to  parish  affairs,  1774,  . . . . . 

Petition  to  have  an  election  set  aside,  1774,  . 

Protest  against  the  foregoing  named  town-meeting. 


429 

430 

431 

431 

432 

432 

433 

435 

436 

437 

440 

441 

442 

443 
443 

443 

444 

445 

446 

446 

447 

448 

450 

45' 

454 

455 

456 

457 


XXll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Reimbursement  wanted  for  money  paid  men  who  turn- 
ed out  on  the  Lexington  alarm,  1775, 

Petition  of  Thomas  Lannen,  1764,  . . . . 

Deposition  of  Thomas  Davidson  concerning  a son, 
Certificate  of  James  McGregore,  1776, 

Petition  of  David  George,  soldier,  1776, 

Service  of  minute  men,  1775,  . . . . . 

Petition  of  Wm.  MacMurphy,  i777?  . . . . 

Thomas  Archibald,  soldier,  1778,  . . . . 

Sergt.  William  Morrill,  1776,  . . . . . 

Soldiers’  enlistments,  1779,  ...... 

Samuel  Thompson’s  petition,  1780,  . . . . 

Col.  Scammel  recommends  Lieut.  Asa  Senter  for  pro- 
motion, 1781,  . 

Statement  of  John  Nesmith,  1782,  . . . . 

Joseph  Hogg’s  order,  1784,  . . . . . 

Petition  of  Samuel  Houston,  one  of  Washington’s 
guard,  1785,  ........ 

Petition  of  William  Adams,  1791 5 . . . . 

Relative  to  Lieut.  Robert  Barnet,  177^? 

Petition  for  the  release  of  Stephen  Holland,  i777’ 
Petition  of  certain  persons  to  be  annexed  to  Nottingham 
West,  1778,  ........ 

Relative  to  certain  persons  being  annexed  to  Windham, 
1778,  ......... 

Recommendations  for  military  officers,  1780, 

Relative  to  the  enlistment  of  Londonderry  men  by 
Massachusetts,  1781,  ...... 

Relative  to  the  line  between  this  town  and  Windham, 
1783,  ......... 

Relative  to  foregoing  matter,  . . . . . 

Verbal  agreement  made,  1782,  . . . . . 

Protest  against  Mrs.  Jane  Holland’s  being  permitted  to 
return, 17S2,  ........ 

Abstract  from  town  inventories,  1782-83, 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Petition  to  be  exempted  from  paying  ministerial  tax  in 
the  old  parish,  1783,  ...... 

Instructions  to  representatives,  1783,  .... 

Relative  to  counterfeit  money,  . . . . . 

Petition  of  sundry  persons  to  be  annexed  to  the  east 
parish,  17S31  ........ 

Relative  to  parish  afiairs,  17S4?  . . . . . 

Petition  to  be  annexed  to  the  west  parish,  17^4?  • 
Petition  for  a Sunday  act,  1784,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  paper  money,  etc.,  1786,  . . . . 

Vote  of  the  town  on  paper  money,  1786, 


459 

460 

460 

460 

460 

461 
463 

462 
462 

462 

463 

463 

463 

464 

464 

464 

465 

465 

467 

468 

469 

469 

470 

471 

471 

471 

473 

473 

474 

475 

476 

476 

477 

478 

478 

479 

483 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 

Letter, — Col.  Reid  to  the  president  of  the  state,  . 
Daniel  Reynolds  elected  to  fill  a vacancy  in  the  house 
of  representatives,  1787,  ...... 

Petition  of  Congregationalists  for  an  incorporation, 
x7pd, 

Committee  chosen  to  present  the  petition,  1797?  • 

LOUDON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  to  have  a portion  of  the  town  annexed  to  Con- 
cord, 1782,  ........ 

Benjamin  Sias  recommended  for  a magistrate,  1785, 
Vote  relative  to  paper  money,  1786,  . . . . 

Joseph  Smith  recommended  for  a magistrate,  about 
1785,  . . _.  . . . . 

Another  recommendation  for  Joseph  Smith, 

John  Sanborn  recommended  for  a magistrate,  1789, 
List  of  soldiers  in  the  army,  1776,  . . . . 

Soldiers’  enlistments,  1780-81,  . . . . . 

Soldier’s  receipt,  1780,  ...... 

Soldiers’  orders,  1784-85,  ...... 

LYMAN. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  for  an  extension  of  the  charter, 

Relative  to  taxes,  ....... 

Town  invoice,  1777,  ....... 

Petition  for  abatement  of  taxes,  1779,  .... 

Report  of  a committee  relative  to  a soldier,  1786, 
Relative  to  soldiers  furnished  for  the  war,  1786,  . 
Petition  of  non-residents,  1787,  . . . . . 

Petition  relative  to  a ferry,  1790,  . . . . . 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1790,  . 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  a ferry,  1791,  .... 

Petition  of  Jacob  Hurd  for  a ferry,  1793, 

LYME. 

Introduction,  ......... 

Thomas  Sumner  relative  to  the  town  grant,  1768, 
Condition  of  the  town,  1768,  ..... 

Town  inventory,  1773  : names  only  printed. 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  the  convention  at  Lebanon, 

1777.  • • • 

Letter, — Jonathan  Childs  to  Hon.  Jacob  Bailey,  1776, 
Petition  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Green,  1781, 

Report  of  committee  on  soldiers,  1786,  .... 


XXlll 


482 

482 

4S3 

484 


4S5 

4S5 

486 

4S7 

488 

489 

490 

491 

491 

492 
492 


492 

493 

494 

495 

495 

496 

496 

497 

498 

499 

499 

500 


501 

501 

502 

503 

504 

504 

505 
505 


XXIV 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Documents  copied  from  Gen.  Chase’s  papers,  . . 506 

Petition  for  charter  for  a ferry,  17S4,  ....  506 

Complaint  relative  to  representation,  etc.,  . . . 507 

Petition  for  the  annexation  of  Grant’s  Island  to  the 

town,  1788, 508 

LYNDEBOROUGH. 

Inti*oduction,  .........  509 

Recommendation  for  a coroner,  1776,  ....  509 

Recommendation  for  a magistrate,  1779,  . . . 509 

Letter  from  Benjamin  Lynde,  1779,  . . . . 510 

Petition  for  a division  of  the  town,  1780,  . . . 510 

Remonstrance  to  foregoing  petition,  1783,  . . . 51 1 

Another  remonstrance,  1784,  . . . . . 513 

Statement  from  the  petitioners,  1784,  ....  514 

Another  statement  of  the  situation,  1784,  . . . 516 

Report  of  a committee  of  conference,  1785,  . . . 518 

Remonstrance  to  a division  of  the  town,  . . . 519 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 521 

Soldier’s  order,  1784,  . . . . . . . 521 

Soldier’s  bounty,  . . . . . . . . 521 

Lyndeborough  men  in  First  N.  H.  Regiment,  . . 522 

Relative  to  military  affairs,  1785,  . . . . . 522 

Nehemiah  Rand  recommended  for  a magistrate,  1786,  . 523 

Relative  to  warning  Elisha  Wilkins  out  of  town,  1788,  524 

Committee  report  relative  to  foregoing,  . . . 525 

Petition  for  the  setting  off'  of  the  north-west  part  of  the 

town,  1790,  ........  526 

Inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough  Gore  for  an  incorpora- 
tion, 1790,  .........  527 

Consent  of  Peterborough  to  foregoing,  1790?  • • 528 

Report  of  a committee  on  the  foregoing,  . . . 528 

Proceedings  of  a town-meeting  relative  to  the  foregoing, 

^79^’  * * * ■ • * " * ■ * 5^9 

Remonstrance  of  sundry  inhabitants  to  being  set  ofT, 

1791,  ..........  532 

Report  of  a committee  on  the  foregoing,  1791?  • • 533 

Petition  from  inhabitants  of  the  south-west  part  to  be 

annexed  to  Temple,  i795?  ......  534 

Action  of  town  on  foregoing  petition,  17965  . . . 535 

Rev.  Mr.  Goodridge’s  statement,  1776,.  . . . 535 

MADBURY. 

Introduction,  .........  536 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  a magistrate,  . . 536 

Pelatiah  Daniels,  soldier,  1760,  .....  537 


GENERAL  CONTENTS.  XXV 

Daniel  Pinkham,  soldier,  1776,  .....  538 

William  Twombly,  soldier,  1779?  .....  538 

Bounty  to  George  Ham,  1784?  .....  538 

James  Jackson’s  order,  17851  .....  538 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  .....  539 

Petition  for  authority  to  elect  a representative,  1786,  . 539 

MANCHESTER. 

Introduction,  .........  540 

Petition  of  Hadley  and  Kidder,  i759i  ....  541 

Ebenezer  Newman,  soldier,  1779,  ....  5.43 

Letter  from  Col.  John  Goffe  to  Gov.  Wentworth  rela- 
tive to  trespasses  and  some  sharp  practice  at  an  elec- 
tion in  Derryfield,  1766,  ......  543 

Jeremiah  Stevens  for  confirmation  of  a grant  of  land, 

1742,-  . 545 

Relative  to  the  discontinuance  of  a road,  1753,  . . 545 

Relative  to  the  alewive  fishery,  1776,  ....  547 

Relative  to  being  classed  for  representative,  1780,  . 549 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  .....  550 

Relative  to  Sabbath-breaking,  1784,  . . . . 551 

Proportionment  of  foreign,  domestic,  and  state  debt, 

1787,  . . . . . . . . . . 551 

Petition  for  the  appointment  of  a committee  to  settle 

the  north  line  of  the  town,  1789,  . . . . 552 

Vote  of  the  town  relative  to  line,  1789,  ....  553 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  to  erect  a bridge  over  Mer- 
rimack river,  1792,  .......  554 

Relative  to  Amoskeag  bridge,  1792,  ....  554 

Petition  for  a grant  of  land,  1794,  .....  555 

Petition  to  have  a gore  of  land  incorporated  with  Der- 
ryfield, 1795, 556 

Samuel  Blodgett  for  a charter  to  construct  a canal 

around  Amoskeag  Falls,  1794,  .....  557 

Petition  for  legislation  to  protect  fish  in  Cohas  brook, 

1797^ 558 

Blodgett’s  canal,  1798,  .......  559 

Petition  for  the  incorporation  of  a company  to  construct 
a canal  from  Merrimack  river  to  Massabesic  pond, 

1799^  • • : • 559 

Petition  for  authority  to  raise  money  by  lottery  to  com- 
plete the  canal,  1799,  .......  560 

Relative  to  locks  and  canals  on  Merrimack  river,  etc.,  . 562 

Another  petition  for  the  protection  of  fish  in  Cohas 

brook, 1800,  ........  565 


XXVI 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


MARLBOROUGH. 

Introduction,  ......... 

Petition  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  1775, 

Another  petition  for  an  incorporation,  1775,  . 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1776,  . . . . 

Petition  of  Maj.  Andrew  Colburn,  . . . . 

Calvin  Goodenow,  soldier,  1782,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  taxes  of  Elijah  Williams,  1781,  . 

Certificate  of  nails  made,  1790,  . . . . . 

Against  the  appointment  of  William  Parker,  1790, 
Relative  to  boundary  between  this  town  and  Fitzwill- 
iam,  1 795  5 ......... 

MARLOW. 

Introduction,  ......... 

Inventory  of  1773,  ........ 

Relative  to  the  election  of  representative,  1776, 

Relative  to  the  east  line  of  the  town,  i777’  • 

Relative  to  the  settlement  of  the  east  line  of  the  town, 

177^?  .......... 

Relative  to  taxes,  1784,  ....... 

Relative  to  east  line  of  the  town,  1798,  . . . . 

Remonstrance  to  the  establishment  of  the  east  line  as  by 
the  act  of  1797,  ........ 

MASON. 

Introduction,  ......... 

Petition  for  a town  charter,  1768,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  an  alleged  theft,  1775,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  paper  currency,  1777,  . • • • • 

Vote  relative  to  paper  currency,  1786,  . . . . 

Soldiers’  orders,  ........ 

MEREDITH. 

Introduction,  ......... 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1768,  . . . . 

Soldiers’  orders,  1777?  ’^3? . . . . . 

Relative  to  William  Maloon,  soldier,  1791  ? • 

Petition  for  a change  of  day  of  annual  meeting,  1784^  • 
Petition  of  the  Baptist  society  for  an  incorporation, 

^797’  . . • • • . . . . 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  the  Baptist  society,  i797? 


566 

567 

568 

568 

569 

570 

570 
57° 

571 
571 


572 

573 

573 

574 

575 

575 

576 
576 


577 

578 

579 

579 

580 

581 


581 

582 

582 

583 

584 

584 

585 


MERRIMACK. 

Introduction,  .........  5^^ 

Sarah  Lutwyche,  relative  to  ferry,  1775?  • • • 5^^ 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


XXVll 


Report  of  committee  on  the  foregoing,  i775’ 
Remonstrance  to  petition  of  Matthew  Thornton  for  a 

ferry,  1784, 

Another  remonstrance  to  same,  17S4,  . . . . 

Nathaniel  Garfield,  quarter-master,  1779, 

Soldier’s  order,  17S2,  ....... 

Relative  to  William  Cowen,  soldier,  17S4,  . 

Petition  in  behalf  of  James  Taylor,  17S5,  • 

Relative  to  the  election  of  representative,  1762,  . 


587 

588 

589 

591 

592 
592 

592 

593 


MIDDLETON. 

Introduction,  ....... 

Petition  to  be  incorporated,  .... 

Soldiers’  orders,  1784,  ’85,  ’92,  .... 

Petition  of  John  Barter,  soldier,  1788, 

Relative  to  the  town’s  quota  of  soldiers,  1783, 

Petition  for  a division  of  the  town,  1785, 

Remonstrance  to  the  foregoing,  1785,  . 

Relative  to  the  town’s  quota  of  soldiers,  1786, 

Vote  relative  to  paper  money,  17S6, 

Petition  for  abatement  of  taxes,  1787,  . 

Petition  for  a magistrate,  1790,  .... 

Relative  to  division  of  state  tax,  1794, 

MILFORD. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Asa  Lewis,  soldier,  1776,  ...... 

Soldier’s  order,  1785,  ....... 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1779,  . . . . 

Remonstrance  to  foregoing,  1779,  . . . . 

Remonstrance  from  Amherst,  . . . . . 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1780,  . . . . 

MONSON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Vote  of  the  town,  1761,  ...... 

Vote  relative  to  locating  a meeting-house,  1756,  . 
Hollis  asks  for  a portion  of  Monson,  1763,  . 

Benjamin  Hopkins’s  bill,  1761,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  annexation  of  a portion  of  Monson  to  Hol- 
lis, 1773,  

Petition  to  be  annexed  to  Hollis,  1763, 

Reasons  for  not  granting  foregoing  petition,  1763, 
Address  expressing  satisfaction  with  the  county  arrange- 
ment, 1769,  

Vote  of  Monson,  1770,  ...... 

Opposition  to  reestablishing  Monson,  1782,  . 


594 

595 

596 

596 

597 

598 

599 

600 

601 
601 
603 
603 


603 

604 
604 
60^ 

606 

607 
607 


609 

610 
610 
6ro 

610 

61 1 

612 

613 

614 

615 

616 


XXVlll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


MOULTONBOROUGII. 

Introduction,  ........  6i6 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1773,  . . . . 616 

Letter  from  Col.  Joseph  Senter  to  the  legislature,  1776,  617 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  territory  into  two 

towns,  1777,  ........  617 

Relative  to  Rev.  Samuel  Perley,  1779,  . . . 618 

Relative  to  doomage,  1780,  .....  620 

Enlistment,  17S0,  .......  620 

Petition  of  non-residents,  1790,  . . . . . 621 

Vote  to  change  date  of  annual  meeting,  1791,  . . 622 


NASHUA. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  bridge  over  Nashua  river,  i753? 
Relative  to  bridge  over  Nashua  river,  1753,  . 

Relative  to  representative,  1762,  . . . . . 

Trouble  at  a town-meeting,  1762,  . . . . 

Petition  relative  to  the  foregoing,  1762, 

Notice  of  meeting,  1762,  ...... 

Votes  relative  to  “ One  Pine  Hill”  matters,  . 

Relative  to  the  formation  of  counties,  1769,  . 

Relative  to  bridge  over  Nashua  river,  1773,  . 

Petition  for  authority  to  elect  a representative,  17835 
Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Lieut.  Jonathan  Emerson’s  petition,  1779,  . 

Dr.  Hale’s  certificate,  1779,  . . . . . 


NELSON. 

Introduction,  ...  . . . . 

Petition  for  an  incorporation  of  the  town,  17735  • 

Petition  for  change  of  the  name  of  the  town,  i777’ 
George  Brintnall’s  order  to  march,  1778, 

Relative  to  taxes,  town  records,  etc.,  1778,  . 

Relative  to  estate  of  Thomas  Packer,  etc.,  1780,  . 
Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  a division  of  the  town  for  the  formation  of 
Sullivan,  1786,  ....... 

Petition  of  Ruth  Batcheller,  concerning  her  husband’s 
confiscated  estate,  1789,  ...... 

Certificate  of  number  of  ratable  polls,  17945 
Relative  to  representative,  1794,  ..... 

NEW  BOSTON. 

Introduction,  ........ 

John  Burns,  soldier,  1760,  ...... 


622 

623 

624 
62^ 
626 

628 

629 

630 

631 

632 

633 

634 
634 
63s 


635 

636 

637 
637 

637 

638 

639 

639 

640 

641 
641 


642 

642 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


House  burned,  175^1  • • ' . . . . 

Petition  for  an  incorporation,  1760,  . . . . 

Relative  to  boundary  lines,  ...... 

Relative  to  the  petition  for  an  incorporation,  1761, 
Relative  to  locating  a meeting-house,  1 765,  . 

Relative  to  ministerial  lot,  1768,  . . . . . 

Relative  to  the  formation  of  counties,  1769, 

Petition  for  the  incorporation  of  a new  town,  177^5 
Statement  from  the  committees  of  safety  of  New  Bos- 
ton, Weare,  and  Francestown,  i77d? 

Concerning  Dr.  Jonathan  Gove,  1777,  . . . . 

John  Hunter,  wounded  at  Bunker  Hill,  1776, 

Rhode  Island  soldiers,  1778,  . . . . . 

Robertson  and  McMillan,  wounded  at  Bunker  Hill, 
1 7 80 .......... 

Jonathan  Margery,  wounded  at  Saratoga,  1781,  . 
Relative  to  Johnston  Smith,  1782,  . . . . 

Relative  to  Samuel  Boyd,  ...... 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  . . . . . 

Concerning  Dr.  Gove  and  Silas  Hedges,  1786, 
Instructions  to  representatives,  1787,  . . . . 

Relative  to  boundary  line  between  this  town  and  Goffs- 
town,  1788,  ........ 

Report  of  committee  on  town  lines,  1788, 

Report  of  committee  on  town  lines,  1788,  . 

Petition  from  soldiers  who  were  captured  at  the  Cedars, 

1 795’  ......... 

Soldier’s  order,  1798,  ....... 

NEWBURY. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Relative  to  incorporating  the  town,  1778, 

Committee  to  petition  for  redress  of  grievances,  1781,  . 
Petition  of  aforenamed  committee,  1782, 

Petition  for  authority  to  tax  non-residents,  1789,  . 
Remonstrance  to  foregoing,  1789,  . . . . 

Petition  for  the  incorporation  of  a new  town,  1791, 
Vote  of  town  relative  to  foregoing,  1791, 

Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  to  be  annexed  to  Brad- 
ford, 1796,  ........ 

Report  relative  to  town  lines,  1797,  . . . . 

NEW  CASTLE. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Relative  to  settling  a minister,  1683,  . . . . 

Petition  of  Humphrey  wSpenser,  1682,  . . . . 


XXX 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Petition  for  a tavern  license,  1683, 

Joseph  Purmort  for  tavern  license, 

Statement  and  petition  of  Joseph  Purmort,  16S3, 
Remonstrance  of  Portsmouth  selectmen,  1682, 

Precept  for  the  election  of  an  assemblyman  at  Sta 
Island,  1694,  ....... 

Relative  to  town  bounds,  ..... 

Precept  for  election  of  assemblymen,  1695,  . 

Summons  to  assemblymen,  1698, 

Warrant  for  militia  muster,  1697, 

Return  of  assemblymen,  1698,  .... 

Col.  Romer,  relative  to  Fort  William  and  Mary,  1704 
Col.  Romer’s  memorial,  1705,  .... 

Supplies  for  soldiers,  1 705,  ..... 

Relative  to  a bridge,  1719,  . 

Petition  of  Rev.  John  Blunt,  1737, 

Rev.  Stephen  Chase  accepts  a call  to  the  ministry,  1750 
Petition  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Sargent,  1746, 

Petition  of  Joseph  Langmaid,  soldier,  1756, 

Petition  of  John  Odiorne,  Jr.,  for  a divorce,  1759, 
Eunice  Odiorne  binds  out  her  child,  a unique  indent 
lire,  1754^  ....... 

Relative  to  tax  on  Trefethen’s  mills,  1763,  . 

Relative  to  ministerial  matters,  1772,  . 

Relative  to  soldiers  attending  church,  1773,  . 

Relative  to  harbor  defences,  1776, 

Memorial  relative  to  fishery  business,  1776,  . 

Petition  for  authority  to  establish  a lottery,  1778,  . 
Report  of  committee  on  damage  done  by  the  troops. 
Relative  to  legislative  representation,  1 784,  . 

Petition  for  authority  to  establish  a lottery,  1789,  . 
Petition  from  Rye  relative  to  the  lottery. 

Petition  from  sundry  inhabitants  to  be  annexed  to  Rye, 
Petition  from  George  Jaftrey  for  an  allowance  for  dam- 
age caused  by  building  the  fort,  .... 

NEW  DURHAM. 

Introduction,  ........ 

Petition  from  Canada  soldiers,  1764,  .... 

Petition  from  Elizabeth  Doe,  ..... 

Petition  from  Peter  Drowne,  soldier,  17S5,  . 

Petition  from  Samuel  Runnels,  soldier,  1788, 

Soldier’s  order,  1784?  ....... 

Petition  from  Elisha  Thomas,  soldier,  1787? 

Petition  from  Richard  Colomy,  179G  .... 

Relative  to  Robert  Karson,  soldier,  .... 

Return  of  ratable  polls,  1783,  ..... 


673 

674 

674 

675 

677 

677 

678 
678 

678 

679 

679 

680 

681 
681 

684 

685 

686 
686 
686 

688 

689 

69a 

691 

691 

693 

693 

694 

695 

696 

697 

699 

700 


701 

702 
702 

702 

703 
703 

703 

704 

704 

705 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


XXXI 


Resignation  of  Col.  Thomas  Tash. 
Petition  relative  to  library,  1797?  • 


179^' 


705 

706 


NEW  HAMPTON. 

Introduction,  ........  706 

Benning  Moulton  recommended  for  a magistrate,  . 707 

Another  for  same,  .......  708 

Vote  of  town  to  set  off  the  north-east  part,  1796,  . 709 

Soldier’s  order,  1792,  .......  709 

NEWINGTON. 

Introduction,  ........  710 

Newington  men  sworn,  ......  710 

Concerning  irregularities  in  town-meeting,  1737,  . . 71 1 

Additional  petition  concerning  foregoing,  . . . 712 

Irregularities  in  town-meeting,  1745,  . . . . 712 

Deposition  of  Hateevil  Nutter,  ..... 

Relative  to  a road  laid  out  in  1656,  ....  714 

Deposition  of  Thomas  Tibbetts,  Joseph  and  Abigail 

Richards,  . . . . . . . . 713 

Statement  concerning  aforesaid  road,  1753,  . . . 716 

Schedule  of  petitioners,  . . . . . . 717 

Deposition  of  George  Walton,  . . . . . yiy 

Deposition  of  Samuel  Huntress,  . . . . . 718 

Proceedings  of  court  of  general  sessions,  1753,  . . 718 

Proceedings  of  court  of  general  sessions,  1754,  . . 730 

Report  of  committee  on  said  road,  17^5?  • • . 721 

Relative  to  dividing  line  against  Portsmouth,  1763,  . 731 

Military  officers  chosen,  1775,  .....  722 

Beniamin  Adams’s  statement,  unique,  ....  723 

Relative  to  election  of  representative,  1 782,  . . . 735 

Petition  for  authority  to  send  representative,  . . 737 

Another  communication  from  Benjamin  Adams.  . . 727 

Remonstrance  to  appointment  of  Mr.  Adams,  1787,  . 738 

George  Gains  reladve  to  the  aforesaid,  . . . 73^ 

Petition  for  the  incorporation  of  a library,  . . . 73^ 

NEW  IPSWICH. 

Introduction,  ........  7^0 

Petition  for  authority  to  levy  special  tax,  1762,  . . 731 

Remonstrance  of  non-residents,  1763,  ....  733 

Relative  to  paying  committee  to  locate  a meeting-house, 

1768,  .........  723 

Relative  to  establishment  of  counties,  1769,  . . . 734 

Vote  of  town  relative  to  lots,  1772,  ....  734 


XXXll 


GENERAL  CONTENTS. 


Petition  concerning  same,  ......  735 

Petition  for  pay  for  service  done  in  the  war,  and  lists  of 

men  who  turned  out  on  Concord  alarm,  . . . 736 

List  of  men  who  turned  out  on  Royalton  alarm,  . . 73^ 

Petition  for  pay  for  horses  lost  in  the  service,  . . 739 

Appraisal  of  estates  of  absentees,  i77^’  • • • 74^ 

Relative  to  oath  of  allegiance,  1783?  ....  74^ 

Relative  to  militia  regiment,  1785,  ....  74^ 

Service  of  Samuel  Walker,  ......  744 

Petitions  of  John  Thomas  and  Ezra  Towne,  soldiers,  . 745 

Petition  for  an  allowance  for  bounties,  . . . 74^ 

Petition  for  the  incorporation  of  New  Ipswich  Acad- 
emy, .........  747 

Petition  for  a lottery  for  the  benefit  of  said  academy,  . 747 


APPENDIX. 

List  of  Saratoga  men,  1777,  ..... 

Boscawen  enlistments,  1776,  ..... 

Boscawen,  relative  to  John  Allen,  .... 

Boscawen  returns  of  soldiers,  1778  and  1779, 

Bow,  William  Rogers’s  complaint,  1776, 

Bow  returns  of  soldiers  1776  and  1778, 

Bow  enlistments,  1780,  ...... 

Canterbury  train  band,  ...... 

Canterbury  enlistments,  177^5  . . . . . 

Canterbury  enlistments,  1780  and  1781, 

Chichester,  return  of  Capt.  Cram’s  company,  1776, 
Concord  enlistments,  1779  ^nd  1781,  . 

Agreement  between  the  town  of  Exeter  and  Edmund 
Gilman,  1647,  ....... 

Deed  of  Wadononamin  to  Edward  Hilton,  1660, 
Documents  relative  to  a convention  of  delegates  from 
towns  in  Hillsborough  and  Cheshire  counties,  . 
Address  from  said  convention,  . . . . . 

Address  from  Amos  Dakin,  chairman  of  said  conven- 
tion, ......... 

Action  of  the  legislature  concerning  same,  . 

Index  to  names  of  towns,  places,  etc.,  . . . . 

Index  to  names  of  all  the  persons  mentioned  in  the  vol- 

1.1  ITl  6^  • • • • • • • • • 


75' 

75' 

752 

752 

753 

753 

754 

754 

756 

757 

758 

758 

759 

760 

762 

764 

767 

767 

77' 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


NOTE. 


The  documents  in  this  volume  were  copied  from  the  manuscripts  in 
Vols.  IV,  V,  VI,  and  VII,  of  the  collections  of  1880,  and  Vols. 
II  and  III,  “ Indian  and  French  Wars  and  Revolutionary  Papers,”  in 
the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state.  They  are  numbered  to  correspond 
with  the  originals. 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


Early  Town  Papers. 


GILM  ANTON. 

This  is  one  of  the  old  townships,  and  was  granted  May 
20,  1727,  to  Nicholas  Gilman  and  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  others,  but  was  not  settled  until  about  1761,  when 
Benjamin  and  John  Mudgett  moved  into  town  with  their 
families  and  there  settled. 

The  Masonian  Proprietors  claimed  the  land,  but  a settle- 
ment was  made  whereby  they  relinquished  their  claim  to  all 
but  eighteen  shares,  giving  the  town  proprietors  a quit- 
claim deed  June  30,  1752. 

Iron  ore  was  discovered  in  the  town,  and  works  for  the 
manufacture  of  iron  were  built  as  early  as  1763,  but  the 
business  not  proving  remunerative  was  in  a few  years  aban- 
doned. 

Governor’s  Island  was  annexed  to  the  town  December 
30,  1799.  June  16,  1812,  the  northerly  part  of  the  town  was 
set  off  and  incorporated  into  a town  by  the  name  of  Gilford. 
July  5,  1851,  a tract  of  land  was  severed  from  this  town  and 
annexed  to  Gilford. 

By  an  act  passed  June  29,  1859,  town  was  divided, 
and  the  north-westerly  part  incorporated  into  a town  by  the 
name  of  Upper  Gilmanton,  which  name  was  changed  to  Bel- 
mont June  24,  1869. 

Gen.  Joseph  Badger  was  the  first  magistrate,  and  for 
many  years  a prominent  citizen  of  the  town.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  council  in  1784,  I790-’9I,  i795-’96.  Gen. 
Badger  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  January  ii,  1722,  and 
died  April  4,  1803  ; was  grandfather  of  Gov.  William  Bad- 
ger. 


3 


2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-85]  \^Petition  fo7'  Authority  to  assess  and  collect  Taxes ^ 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*" : Gov^  and  Com- 
mander In  Chief  in  and  Over  His  Majesty’s  Province  of  New 
Hamp*"® : The  Hon’^^®  His  Majesty’s  Council  & House  of  Rep- 
resentatives for  Said  Province  in  Gen^  Court  assembled — 

The  Petition  of  a Committee  of  the  Proprietors  of  Gilman- 
town  in  the  Province  afores'^  in  behalf  of  the  said  Proprietors 
Humbly  Sheweth — That  the  Proprief'*  afore®^  live  in  Several 
Towns  within  this  Province  & Some  of  them  who  became  So 
by  Purchase  live  in  the  Province  of  the  Mass^  Bay — whereby 
they  can  by  no  means  already  Provided,  Collect  the  money 
Voted  by  the  Proprief®  afores^  to  carry  on  the  Settlem*  & 
other  matters  relating  to  the  Said  Townships  & Propriety,  any 
further  than  they  Voluntarily  pay  the  Same. — 

That  for  want  of  Legal  Authority  to  Collect  the  Said  money 
the  SettlenP  of  the  Said  Town  is  greatly  Retarded,  and  an  un- 
equal Burthen  bro’t  upon  Such  of  the  Said  Proprietors  as  are 
Diligent  & forward  in  carrying  on  the  Settlem*  who  are  Some- 
times obliged  to  pay  more  than  their  proportion  to  prevent  a 
total  neglect  of  the  Settlement. 

That  the  ProprieP  who  are  zealously  Concern’d  to  promote 
the  Said  Settlem*  have  been  at  Great  Charge  to  Cut  a Way  up 
to  the  Said  Township,  & building  houses  of  Defence,  Laying 
out  their  Lots  &c — which  they  only  have  Defrayed — 

Your  Peticon*’®  in  behalf  of  themselves  & their  Constituents 
therefore  Humbly  pray  This  HoiP'®  Court  that  you  would  be 
pleased  to  Enable  their  Selectmen  for  the  time  being  to  tax  the 
Said  Propriet*"®  to  all  Legal  Charges  relating  to  the  Said  Town- 
ship And  also  the  Constables  or  Collectors  for  the  time  being  to 
Levy  the  Same  on  the  Lands  & rights  of  the  Proprief®  who 
Neglect  to  pay  their  Said  Taxes  in  Season  and  to  make  Sale  of 
So  much  of  the  Said  Lands  of  any  Delinquent  Proprief®  in  the 
Same  or  Some  Such  manner  as  Constables  of  Towns  are  En- 
abled to  do  with  the  Goods  of  Such  as  do  not  Seasonably  pay 
their  Town  Rates  or  in  Such  other  way  & manner  as  you  in 
yo’’  Great  Wisdom  & Goodness  Shall  See  meet — 

And  Your  Petitioif®  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray  &c 

John  Gilman 
John  Brown 

In  The  House  of  Representatives.  Voted  That  The  Prayer 
of  the  Petition*"®  be  granted  with  this  Amendment — 

That  the  Constable  before  the  Sale  of  any  Lands  Destraned 
upon  Give  forty  Days  Notice  in  Some  one  or  more  of  the  pub- 
lick  Prints  of  the  destres  and  Sale  of  Such  Lands,  and  that  y® 


GILMANTON. 


3 


Lands  So  distraned  upon  be  sold  to  the  highest  bider  and  after 
the  sale  thereof  if  there  be  any  overplush  besides  a Suficiency  to 
Pay  that  Assesment  and  the  Charges  acruing  thereon,  that  y® 
Constable  pay  the  Said  Surplusage  to  y®  Select  men  of  S*^  Town 
and  there  to  remain  in  S*^  Select  mens, hands  and  y*"  to  remain, 
in  order  for  y®  Said  Delinq‘  or  Delinquents  Proprieters  to  Draw 
out  the  Same  when  they  l3emand  It — and  if  not  demanded  be- 
fore  a new  Asesment  then  to  be  disposed  of  to  defray  S'^  Charges 
of  the  new  Asesments — Pi*ovided  this  act  Continue  for  the  Space 
of  ten  years  & no  Longer  and  that  the  Sale  of  Such  Lands  be  a 
good  title  to  y®  Purchaser  any  Law  usage  or  Custom  to  y®  Con- 
teray  notwithstanding  and  that  the  PeP  haye  Liberty  to  Bring 
a Bill  accordingly 

James  Jeffrey  Cle*"  ass'" 

In  Coun'  March  30^^  ^737 — 

Read  and  non-concurr’d  unanimously — 

RiclP  Waldron  Sec^ 


[4-86]  \^Petitio7i  of  Inhabitaiits  relative  to  a Road^  7770.] 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"® — Captain  General 
and  Governour  in  Chief  the  Hon''^®  Council  and  the  HoiP® 
House  of  Representatives  of  His  majesties  province  of  New 
hampshire  in  New  England — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Gilmantown,  Humbly  shew  that  by  an  act  of  this  Government 
the  proprietors  of  said  Town  were  obliged  to  make  a Road 
through  the  same  and  that  we  have  Been  always  Informed  that 
the  Inhabitants  had  no  Concern  in  it  and  the  proprietors  have 
Disobeyed  the  Courts  order  and  voted  that  they  would  not  make 
the  Road  and  the  Courts  Committee  have  Been  obliged  to  Do  it 
and  we  understand  that  some  of  the  proprietors  of  said  Town 
are  Desirous  that  this  Great  and  Honourable  Court  would  order 
that  all  the  Lotts  in  said  Town  should  be  Taxed  to  pav  that 
Charge  which  we  apprehend  would  be  a Grievous  Burden  upon 
us  that  are  Inhabitants  there  for  the  Inhabitants  have  Ventur‘d 
their  Livies  and  fortunes  to  settle  that  town  and  have  had  no 
help  from  the  proprietors  to  make  an}’  Road  in  it  or  but  a very 
little  and  are  obliged  to  be  at  the  Expence  of  two  Hundred  Dol- 
lars a Year  to  make  and  maintain  their  Necessary  Roads  and  if 
the  Expence  of  making  the  province  Road  should  be  paid  by  a 
Tax  on  the  Lotts  there  is  a Great  Number  of  proprietors  who 
own  Large  Interest  in  the  Common  Lands  that  will  pay  Little 
or  nothing  by  Reason  they  have  sold  the  Greatest  part  of  what 


4 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


is  Laid  out  and  at  an  Exorbitant  price  by  Reason  of  the  settle- 
ment and  Roads  we  have  made  at  our  own  Expence 

Therefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray  that  Your  Excellen- 
cy and  this  Great  and  Honourable  Court  would  take  the  matter 
into  Consideration  and  Grant  us  some  Releif  as  Your  Excellen- 
cy and  Honours  in  your  Great  wisdom  shall  Judge  proper 
and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c 
Dated  at  Gilmantown  afores*^  Nov*"  20^*'  1770 


Sam^  Fifield 
John  Dudley 
Simeon  Bean 
Beniamin  James 
Samuel  morrison 
Joseph  Avery 
Abnar  Clough 
John  Sanborn 
Samuel  Clougb 
Benjamin  Weeks 
Sam''  Avery  ju*" 
W’”  Smith 
Matthias  Sawyer 
David  Edgerly 
Philip  Pain 
Joshua  Bean 
Nath'  Wilson 
Beniamin  dow 
Eliphalet  Gilman 


Gilman  Lougee 
Samuel  hatch 
Edward  Lock 
John  Moody 
Dudley  young 
Nath"  Elkins 
Samuel  Gilman 
Lemuel  Rand 
Benj“  Avery 
Andrew  Glidden 
John  fox 

Summersbee  Gilmi 
Jotham  Gilman 
Ephraim  morrill 
Edw"  Gilman  jun 
Ebenz''  Paige 
Jonathan  Edgerly 
Josejoh  Philbrick 
Samuel  Ladd 


Samuel  Avery 
John  Been 
Stephen  Bean 
Daniel  folsom 
Daniel  Stevens 
Nicholas  Gilman 
Benjamin  Gilman 
wintrop  Gilman 
Jeremiah  Connor 
David  Elkins 
Stephen  dudley 
Edward  Gilman 
t ho  mas  mudget 
Simeon  mudget 
Jude  Bean 
Jeremy  Cogswell 
Jrimiah  richisen 
Jonathan  Gilman 


4—87]  \_Petitio?i  foi'  a Magisti'ate.^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Strafford  ss. 

To  his  Excelency  the  President  and  the  Honourable  Council  for 

Said  State  Convened. 

The  humble  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  being  Inhabitants 
of  the  southerly  part  of  Gilmantown  in  the  County  and  State 
aforesaid  humbly  sheweth  that  whereas  the  said  town  of  Gil- 
mantown is  large  and  Consisting  of  near  Four  Hundred  Rate- 
able Poles  & as  there  is  no  person  that  is  appointed  and  Qualli- 
fied  as  a Justice  of  the  peace  in  the  Southerly  part  of  the  Said 
town  as  Afores’d  and  we  Your  Petitioners  pray  your  Excelency 
and  Honours  would  appoint  and  Qiiallify  Mh  John  Shepard  of 
said  town  as  a Justice  of  the  peace  for  said  County  ; as  we  think 
him  to  be  a man  of  the  best  Qiiallification  with  us  for  the  same  : 
and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 


GILMANTON. 


5 


Joshua  Bangs 
Nat^  Gilman 
John  melcher 
Daniel  Evens 
Reuben  osGood 
John  Tucker 
Theophilus  Drew 
Stephen  Hutchinson 
John  Melcher  juner 
Benjamin  Grant 
Scribner  muget 
Micajah  Morrill 
Ephraim  morrill 
Aaron  moses 
Joseph  flanders 
Samuel  Osgood 
Natha  Wilson  Jur 
Paul  Merrill 


Stephen  Ben“ 

Joseh  Looge 
John  Swain  J^ 
Jonathan  Avery 
Samuel  Prescott 
Winslo  Page 
John  Lougee  Jr 
Samuel  moses 
Stephen  Swain 
Joseph  Gilman  jun 
Samuel  Smith  Jun^ 
David  meeder 
Samuel  Avery 
Jonathan  Flanders 
Jonathan  Hutchinson 
Josiah  Rundlet 
Pitt  Lougee 
Sam^'  Shepard 


True  Page 
Elisha  Hutchinson 
Jonathan  Gilman  3 
Josiah  Avery 
Elisha  Sweat 
Nathan  Morrill 
Henery  Barter 
George  Moses 
John  Chase 
Joseph  Jones 
Ebenz*'  Paige 
Joseph  young 
Josiah  Avery  Juner 
Jotham  Gilman 
John  Huckins 
Jeremy  Cogswell 
John  Edgerly  Jr 


[Revolutionary  Papers,  Manuscript,  pages  12  to  15.] 

\^JLetter  fro?n  Col.  yos.  Badger  to  Co77imlttee  of  Safety.'\ 

To  the  Hon'^'®  The  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony  of 
New  Hampshire — Gentlemen  Pursuant  to  orders  from  Nath' 
Folsom  Esq  Maj'’  General  I Have  proportioned  the  men  sent  for 
on  the  several  Companys  in  my  Regiment  and  the  officers  have 
Returned  the  Names  of  the  men  and  as  sent  for  except  two 
wanting  from  Leavitts  town  [Effingham]  and  two  from  Middle- 
town,  and  as  there  is  no  militia  officers  chosen  there  I applyed 
to  the  selectmen  and  Committee  of  Safety  and  they  say  that  their 
men  are  so  many  gone  in  the  warr  that  they  cant  raise  any  more 
as  to  Leavitts  town  if  their  should  be  danger  of  Indians  I think 
they  are  exposed  as  they  are  the  outside  and  the  selectmen  dont 
Incline  to  spare  any  out  of  their  town  and  so  I shall  come  four 
short  of  the  Number  sent  for  which  I hope  you'  please  to  abate 
as  Leavitts  town  Tamworth  and  Sandwich  are  frontier  towns  as 
my  Regiment  is  so  Extensive  for  Land  I have  ordered  my  men 
to  be  muster*'  next  frieday  at  Gilmantown  and  to  come  prepared 
to  march  forward  as  they  shall  have  orders  there  is  Between 
fifty  and  sixty  that  are  to  pass  muster  who  are  to  have  Liberty 
of  Chusing  their  officers  they  have  unanimously  agreed  upon 
their  Capt.  and  first  Lieut,  if  diey  can  have  Incouragement  they 
will  equip  themselves  and  go  with  the  men.  the  men  will  be 
all  mustered  on  frieday.  and  ready  to  march  and  wait  your  fur- 


6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ther  orders  I am  Gentlemen  your  Hon”  most  obe*  & Hum' 
Sert 

Gilmantown  July  y®  15^^^  ^77^  Joseph  Badger  Colonel 
of  the  tenth  Regiment  of  militia  in  the  Colony  of  New  hamp- 
shire 


\^Roll  of  Me7z  of  Col.  Badger's  Regimezit.^  zziustered  fuly2j, 

1776.] 

Colony  of  New  hampshire  ] 

Straflbrd  ss.  | Gilmantown  July  23*' 

Pursuant  to  a vote  of  the  Council  and  Assembly  and  bv  orders 
from  the  ^lajor  General  of  this  Coloney  I have  Raised  out  of  the 
Regiment  under  my  Command  to  Reinforce  the  Armv  supposed 
to  be  at  Crown  Point  the  several  men  hereafter  named  as  follows 
viz 


IMustered  by  James  Knowles  Esq  and  marched  in  Cap'  Bad- 
gers Company. 


Joseph  Badger  Jr. 
John  Parsons 
Francis  Blake 
Winthrop  Durgan 
Bradbury  Sinkler 
Richard  Sinkler 
Jeramiah  Richardson 
Stepen  Dudley 
Robert  Tibbitts 

David  Clough 

^ • 

Joshua  Sinkler 
John  Avery 
Thomas  Currier 
Jonathan  Gilman 
Jabez  James 


Stephen  Hutchins 
Nathaniel  Dow 
William  Ray 
John  ^larston 
Ebenezer  Blake 
Jonathan  Magoon 
Samuel  Meeloon 
John  Drake 
Jonas  Carter 
John  Cooley 
Benj“  Burlev 
Stephen  Gilman 
Ethridge 
John  Glidden 
Jonathan  Lary 


Stephen  Scribner 
John  Fullerton 
John  Piper 
William  Rogers 

O 

John  Folsom 
Stephens  Burley 
A\dlliam  Burley 
William  Eastman 
Chase  Wiggin 
Jonathan  Buzzell 
John  Barker 
Jonathan  Smith 
Jonathan  James 


IMustered  by  Coll  Baker  and  gone  in  the  same  company 


John  Powell 

Baker  and  gone  in  Cap'  Drews  company 


Ephraim  Roberts 

IMustered  by  Coll 

Joseph  Runnils 
John  York 
William  Chandler 
Peavev 


Job  Allard 
Jesse  Wiggins 
Henrv  Wentworth 
Josiah  Wiggins 


Richard  Colo  my 
John  Wentworth 
Benjamin  Horne 


Benj“  Moonev  Listed  with  Cap'  Harper 
Samuel  Winslow  gone  with  Cap'  IMarston. 


GILMAN  TON. 


7 


Mustered  by  Cob  Walker  and  gone  with  Cap‘  Shepard 

Moses  Randal  Samuel  Mackeriss  Jonathan  Morrison 

Jonathan  Smith  Jr  Thomas  Crosbey  Timothy  Somes 

Ezekiel  Danford  Jonathan  Smith  Elisha  Cummins 

65  men  in  all 

There  is  eight  wanting  of  the  number  required,  which  are 
from  Leavitts  town  two  from  Tam  worth  two  from  Middletown 
three  from  Sandbornton  one — The  reasons  are  as  follows  viz. 
Leavitts  town  having  no  officers  nor  selectmen  nor  Committee 
of  Safety  I applied  to  Tho®  Parsons  Esq  who  said  that  they  were 
so  exposed  being  the  frontier  towm  that  he  thought  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  spare  any  men  out  of  that  town,  and  did  not  think  he 
could  possibly  raise  any 

The  Cap^  of  Tam  worth  writes  to  me  that  the  state  of  their 
town  is  that  they  have  fourteen  men  now  in  the  service  and  but 
twelve  men  at  home  fit  for  duty  but  with  great  difficulty  he  has 
obtained  one  man  who  appeared  on  muster  day  but  on  hearing 
his  complaint  and  the  Captains  Letter  by  advice  of  Deac  Knowles 
the  muster  master  I Released  him 

The  selectmen  of  Middletown  were  desired  to  Raise  live  men 
that  being  their  proportion  and  they  made  return  that  there 
were  so  many  of  their  men  now  in  the  service  that  they  had 
done  all  in  their  power  and  could  raise  but  three  men  and  on 
muster  day  one  of  the  selectmen  came  with  two  of  the  men  and 
said  that  the  third  was  taken  sick  and  like  to  remain  so  there 
was  but  two  mustered 

The  Cap*  of  Sandborntou  says  that  they  have  twenty  six  men 
now  in  the  service  but  notwithstanding  he  raised  the  men  sent 
for  but  CoP  Walker  the  muster  master  put  by  one  by  reason  he 
was  so  small  and  the  Captain  prays  he  may  be  excused  from 
raising  another  to  supply  his  place  by  reason  it  w'ould  be  attend- 
ed with  so  much  difficulty 

Cob  Evans  Taxed  me  Publicklv  at  Concord  for  obtaining^  an 
order  for  my  men  to  march  by  misrepresenting  the  number  of 
my  Company  but  if  I did  it  was  what  was  Impossible  for  any 
one  to  avoid  for  if  I remember  I wu'ote  that  my  Company  would 
consist  of  Between  fifty  and  sixty  men  and  at  that  time  I had 
Return  of  five  men  from  Wakefield  five  from  New  Durham, 
one  from  Aliddletown  and  one  from  Tamworth,  that  they  would 
appear  on  muster  day  but  afterwards  ten  of  them  enlisted  with 
Cap*  Drew  and  one  proved  sick  and  one  I released  which  no 
man  could  foresee  which  twelve  men  added  to  forty  four  now 
gone  would  make  fifty  six  which  would  I think  agree  very  near 
with  what  I wrote  Notwithstanding  all  Cob  Evans  parade 


8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


about  the  superiority  of  his  Regiment  and  of  the  ancient  town 
of  Dover  when  we  mett  at  Concord  it  was  in  the  power  of  my 
men  to  have  chosen  every  officer  but  when  the  Cap*  was  chose 
I spoke  to  my  men  and  desired  that  they  would  consent  that 
Cob  Evans’^  men  should  Nominate  the  two  Lieutenants  which 
they  unanimously  agreed  to  had  Cof  Evans®  men  been  more 
in  numbers  than  mine  I believe  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Gentle- 
men spectators  that  he  would  not  have  advised  as  I did.  I would 
not  have  been  so  troublesome  but  as  my  Character  Laboured  I 
thought  it  necessary  to  sett  the  matter  clear 
I am  your  Honours  most  ob*  Hum^  Serv* 

Joseph  Badger 

To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony 
of  New  hampshire 

[Ibid,  p.  27.]  \_Roll  of  Officers  in  Col.  Badger^ s Regd.^  /y/d.] 

[Col.  Badger’s  Tenth  Regiment,  as  returned  by  him  in 
1776,  was  composed  of  the  following  companies:] 

Field  Officers 

Joseph  Badger  Esq  Colonel  Ebenezer  Smith  Esq  Lieu*  Colonel 
Vacant  First  major  Bradbury  Richardson  Esq  second  major 

First  Company  in  Gilmantown — Officers 

Captain  First  Lieut.  Second  Lieut. 

Nathaniel  Wilson  Joseph  Philbrick  Daniel  Stevens 

Ensign  Jonathan  Clark 

Second  Company  in  Wolfsborough  not  yet  returned 
Third  Company  in  Sandbornton 
Chase  Taylor  Josiah  Sanborn  Jacob  Smith  James  Gibson 
Fourth  Company  in  Meredith 

Joshua  Chrockitt  John  Kimball  William  Ray  Robert  Bryant 

Fifth  Company  in  Barnstead 

Richard  Sinkler  Jonathan  Emerson  Samuel  Pittman 

Benjamin  Nutter 

Sixth  Company  in  Moultonborough 

Nathaniel  Ambrose  John  Adams  William  Plaistead 

Joseph  Richardson 


GILMANTON. 


9 


Seventh  Company  in  New  Durham 
Robert  Boody  Shadrach  Allard  Thomas  French  John  Glidden 
Eighth  Company  in  Sandwich 

Daniel  Beede  Ju^  Joshua  Prescott  Josiah  Bean  Jacob  Weed 

Ninth  Company  in  IMiddletown  vacant 

Tenth  Company  in  Wakefield  vacant 

Eleventh  Company  in  Leavitts  town  vacant 

Twelfth  Company  in  Gilmantown 

John  Moodey  Samuel  Ladd  Simeon  Bean  Noah  Dow 

Thirteenth  Company  in  Tam  worth 

Stephen  Mason  Jonathan  Choat  John  Fowler 

Jonathan  Burgees 

Fourteenth  Company  in  the  Gore  [now  Alton] 

Joseph  Robards  Ephraim  Chamberlain  John  Glidden 

Timothy  Davis 

•/ 

Dated  at  Gilmantown  march  y®  A : D : 1776 

Joseph  Badger  Colonel 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  Colony  of  New  Hampshire. 

[R.  2-9]  [ Gilmanton  Soldiers^  Orders  and  Receipts 

Gilmanton  march  17**^  17S3  Received  of  the  Town  of  Gil- 
manton Twelve  pound  Lawful  money  It  being  In  full  for  my 
part  of  my  Husband  Nehemiah  Leavitts  wages  For  one  year 
who  Is  a Soldier  In  the  Continental  army  For  said  Town  I say 
Received  by  me  From  the  13*^  Day  of  Febr^  ^7^3 

her 

Sarah  X Leavitt 

mark 

Test  Benj®  Sias  Edw^  Gilman  J*" 

To  the  Treasurer  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  for  the 
time  being  please  to  pay  unto  the  Select  men  of  the  town  of  Gil- 
mantown the  whole  of  the  wages  Due  to  me  for  my  Service  in 
the  Continental  Army  the  Last  year  for  said  Town  it  being  for 
value  Received  of  said  Town 

Ammi  Choat 

Gilmantown  March  y®  2i®‘  1782. 


10 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[The  following  soldiers  order  their  wages  to  be  paid  to 
the  town  : 

Benj^  Libbey,  for  six  months  in  1781. 

Jonathan  Taylor,  for  six  months  in  1781. 

Joseph  Morrill,  for  six  months  in  1781. 

John  Cotton,  for  six  months  in  1781.] 

[R.  2-20] 

[Samuel  Saunders  orders  his  wages  to  be  paid  to  Jn°  Nich- 
olls  ; John  Taylor  orders  his  to  be  paid  to  Joseph  Badger; 
Mary  Parry  orders  the  wages  due  her,  as  heir  to  her  son, 
Samuel  Parry,  deceased,  to  be  paid  to  Penning  Pickering, 
and  the  selectmen  certify  that  she  is  heir  to  said  Samuel] 


[4-90  \^Retu7'72  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

State  of  New  Hamp^ 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  Nov’’  5^^ 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  of  each  Town  & Place  within  this 
State  be  directed  to  return  under  oath  to  the  Assembly  of  this 
State  at  their  next  Session  the  exact  number  of  Male  Polls  from 
twenty  one  years  of  Age  & upwards  paying  for  themselves  a 
Poll  Tax  within  the  said  Towns  and  Places  in  Order  to  appor- 
tion the  Representation  of  this  State  according  to  the  new  Con- 
stitution— 

sent  up  for  concurrence 

John  Dudley  Speak^ 

In  Council  the  same  Day  Read  & concurred. 

E.  Thompson  Sec^^ 

a True  Copy 

Attest^  E Thompson  Se*"^ 

No  3‘^2  Polls  In  the  Town  of  Gilmantown  Paying  for  them- 
selves a Poll  Tax  in  the  year  1783 — being  the  age  of  Twenty 
One  Years — 

Gilmantown  December  the  i3  17S3 

Edward  Gilman  ) Selectmen  of 
Joseph  Parsons  / Gilmantown 

state  of  Newhampshire  Strafford  ss — 

Gilmantown,  Decern^  y®  13*^  ^7^3 

Then  the  above  Named  Edward  Gilman  and  Joseph  Par- 
sons Personally  appearing  made  solemn  oath  that  the  account 


GILMANTON. 


I I 


of  the  Number  of  Polls  in  the  Town  of  Gilmantown  by  them 
Exhibited  as  above  is  Just  and  true  according  to  the  best  of  their 
Judgment  sworn  before  Joseph  Badger  Justice  of  Peace 


[4-91]  S^Petitio7i  for  a Magistrate^ 


To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  state  of  New  hamp- 
shire  and  Honour'^^®  the  Council  of  s*^  state  the  Petition,  of  us 
Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Gilmantown, — 


Humbly  sheweth — that  the  town,  of  Gilmantown,  is  a Large 
tract  of  Land  as  Large  as  three  six  mile  towns  and  that  the 
southeast  part  of  said  town  are  fully  settled  with  Inhabitants 
and  that  there  is  no  Justice  of  the  Peace  within  about  five  miles 
of  them,  and  it  would  be  very  Convenient  to  have  one  in  that 
part  of  the  town.  Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  Your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  that  Cap*  Joseph  Parsons  may  be  appointed 
to  that  ofiice  he  being  in  our  opinion,  a suitable  person  for  the 
office  and  Lives  in  the  most  Convenient  place  to  serve  the  peo- 
ple of  that  part  of  the  town,  and  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
Bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c 

Dated  at  Gilmantown,  DecenP  y"^  32‘*  178S 


David  Bean 
Joseph  Huckins  Ju 
Robert  Rogers 
Simeon  Taylor 
Nathaniel  Dow 
Joseph  Clifibrd 
Edward  Gilman  J 
John  Gilman 
Peter  Gilman 


Noah  Dow 
^ John  Nelson 
Thomas  Cogswell 
Robert  moulton 
Peter  Folsom 
Natlfi*  Willson 
John  Sanborn 
Thomas  Flanders  j 
Simeon  Copp 


Charles  Rundlet 
Samuel  Greely 
Peaslee  Badger 
Daniel  Gale 
Antipas  Gilman  Jur 
Jonathan  Ross 
peter  folsom  3 


[Joseph  Parsons  was  appointed  January  28,  1789. — Ed.] 


[4-92]  [^Petition  to  have  Courts  held  at  JSfoi'voay  Plains^ 

To  FI  is  Excellenc}^  the  President  the  HoiP*®  Senate  and  the 
Hon*’’®  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  state  of  New 
hampshire  In  General  Court  Assembled  June  y®  4**^  1789 

The  Petition  of  us  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Gil  mantown,  in  the  County  of  straftbrd  Humbly  sheweth  that 
all  the  Courts  of  said  County  are  now  Held  at  Dover  and  Dur- 
ham, which  places  are  at  the  Very  Lower  End  of  the  County 


12 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


and  many  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  County  have  to  travel  from 
a Great  Distance  some  fifty  and  some  sixty  miles  which  is  a 
Great  hardship  upon  the  people — 

Therefore  Your  petitioners  pray  Your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours that  all  the  Courts  of  said  County  may  be  moved  to  nor- 
way  plain,  in  Rochester  in  s*^  County  where  we  apprehend  to 
be  the  most  Convenient  place  as  all  the  Roads  seem  to  Center 
there  and  a Convenient  place  for  publick  Buildings  and  Good 
accommodations  for  the  Court 

And  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c 


Joseph  Badger 
Daniel  Grant 
Abraham  Smith 
Benj*^  Dean 
Noah  Marsh 
Jesse  Louge 
Samuel  Brown  Ju 
Abraham  Smith  J 
John  thurston 
John  Sincler 
Thomas  Hayes 
Simeon  Taylor 
Andrew  Page 
William  Thompsc 
Joseph  Avery 
Abner  Evens  Jur 
Nehemiah  Louge 


Peaslee  Badger 
Jeremiah  Sanborn 
Jacob  Kelley 
Elisha  Odlin 
Stephen  Dudley  Jr 
Joseph  Garman 
Wiggin  Taylor 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Jeremiah  Morrill 
Nicholas  Gorden 
Jonathan  louge 
Robert  moulton 
David  Sanborn 
Daniel  Moulton 
moses  Page 
Jeremiah  Gorden 
Nathaniel  Dow 


micajah  Kelley 
Daniel  Gilman  Ju’^ 
vSimeon  Copp 
Stephen  Gilman 
Samuel  thurstan 
Ephraim  Libbee 
Benjamin  Smith 
Nathanael  Kimball 
Benj"  Dow 
William  Price 
William  Price  jun 
John  Bond 
John  Marston 
Joseph  Clark 
alexander  Gorden 


[On  three  other  petitions  of  the  same  date  and  wording 
are  the  following  names  : — Ed.] 


Jacob  Currier 
Charles  Rundlet 
Joshua  Gilman  Jr 
William  Rowell 
Stephen  Swain 
Daniel  Gale  Jun 
Ezekiel  Hoit 
Zebulon  Gilman 
Paul  Merrill 
Joseph  Clifford 
David  Bean 
Jonathan  Sargent 
Simeon  Bean 
Jacob  Rowe 
Jacob  Tucker 


Isaac  Currier 
Jeremiah  Chandler 
Mark  Emerson 
Jonathan  flanders 
Jotham  Gilman 
William  Rand 
Samuel  Follett 
Peter  Gilman 
Joshua  Gilman 
Samuel  Dockham 
Isaac  Batchelder 
Stephen  Bean 
Samuel  Mudget 
William  Casey 
James  Elkins 


John  Nelson 
James  Ladd 
Jonathan  gilman 
John  Swain 
Joseph  Gale 
Richard  Jones 
Joseph  Huckins 
Nicholas  Gilman 
William  Nelson 
John  Bean  Ju 
Jonathan  Dow 
Benjamin  Pain 
Dudley  Hutchinson 
John  Swett 
John  elkins 


GILMANTON. 


13 


Sam^  Fifield  Jacob  Gale 

Jeremiah  Richeson  Joshua  Bradford 
Peter  folsom  Jonathan  Elkins 

BartholomewGilman  Joseph  Richardson 


John  Weeks 
William  Dame 
Samuel  maxfeald 
David  Folsom 
Scribner  Mudgit 
David  Fifield 
Ebenezer  Stevens 
Perkins  Dow 
William  Louge 
Dudley  Gilman 
Peter  Dudley 
David  meeder 
Ebenezer  Page 
Winthrop  Giluman 
Samuel  Smith 
Micajah  Morrill 
Jude  Bean 
Jeremiah  Connor 
W“^  Smith 
Dudley  Milman 
Paul  Bickford 
John  Parsons 
Enoch  Hunt 
Samuel  Prescott 
Samuel  Clough 
Nath'^  Webster 
Samuel  F.  Gilman 
Samuel  Blasdel 
Abel  Hunt 
Stephen  Leavitt 
Samuel  Ladd 
William  Bennet 
Jacob  Jewett 
Nathaniel  Gale 
John  Sanborn 
Charles  Currier 
Jeremy  Connor 
Dudley  Gilman 
Samuel  Gilman  Jr 
David  Clough 
Joseph  Richardson 
John  Lang  Weeks 
Caleb  James 


Daniel  folsom 
Joseph  Morrill 
Matthias  Weeks 
Bezaleel  Beede 
Samuel  osgood 
John  fifield 
Peter  Bean 
william  Edwards 
Joseph  Huckins  ] un 
Jonathan  Ross 
Stephen  Dudley 
Ezekiel  Edgerly 
Hibbard  Morrill 
Samuel  Greeley 
Joseph  young 
Zebediah  Wattson 
Ebenezr  Page  Jr 
Joseph  young  Jifi 
Antipas  Gilman 
Samuel  Gilman 
Dudley  Prescott 
Israel  Farrar 
NatlJ  Wilson 
Ruben  osGood 
Thomas  Flanders  Jifi 
Samuel  Tilton 
Lowel  Sanborn 
Philbrick  Row 
Levi  Gilman 
Stephen  Gale 
Samuel  Jewett 
Samuel  Jewet 
David  Page 
John  Shepard 
John  Bean 
Jonathan  Gilman  Ju 
Stephen  prescutt 
Jonathan  Folsom 
Jeremi  Richardson 
Jur 

Benjamin  Weeks 
Thomas  Sewall 
Jonathan  Morrison 


Daniel  Rowell 
Nathan  Heart 
Nathaniel  Gilman 
Benjamin  Richardson 
Thomas  morill 
wintrip  Barret 
Matthias  Weeks  Ju 
Elish  Sweat 
Joseph  Jones 
Nathaniel  Tilton 
Caleb  Bean 
Noah  Dow 
Israel  French 
John  Dudley 
Dudley  Young 
Jeremy  Cogswell 
Ira  kimball 
Edward  Gilman  Ju 
Timothy  Smith 
Isaiah  Clough 
Joshua  Bangs 
Thomas  Gilman 
Jonathan  Nelson 
Jonathan  Gilman 
Jolni  moody 
Ephraim  Bickford 
James  Chase 
Abner  Clough 
John  Tilton 
Josiah  Rundlett 
Benjamin  thurstan 
Jacob  Rundlet 
Malachi  Daveis 
John  Gilman  JuiF 
John  Mash 
John  Wadleigh 
Jona  fiagg 
thomas  foster 
William  Parsons  Jr 
Jonathan  Prescott 
Jonathan  Rundlet 
John  Bradbury 
Eben”'  Eastman 
Benj"  Richardson 
Samuel  Young 
John  Edgerly 
Simeon  Hoyt 


14 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


wintrop  Gilman 
John  Bennet  jun^ 
John  Folsom 
Benja  Bodge 
William  Morrison 
Joseph  Badger  3*^ 
Joshua  Mudget 
Edward  Bean 


Jonathan  Thing 
Noah  Weeks 
Nath  Weeks 
Jeduthan  farrar 
Samuell  Clark 
Robert  Morrison 
Simeon  Mason 
Sami  Ames 


winthrop  Thing 
Jabez  James 
Josiah  Weeks 
Jonath  Edwards 
Enoch  Clark 
George  Wamouth 
Levi  Bean 


[4—96]  \_Action  of  Town  }'elative  to  Gilmajiton  Acade?ny^ 

1792.'] 

At  a Legal  Town  meeting  held  by  the  freeholders  and  other 
Inhabitants  of  Gilmanton  on  Thursday  the  Eighth  day  of  March 
1792— 

Voted  to  Choose  a Committee  to  Consist  of  Twenty  men  to 
take  under  their  Consideration  the  appropriating  the  School 
Right  in  said  Town  for  a Publick  Academy  to  be  set  up  in 
some  Convenient  place  in  said  Town  and  to  make  report  at  the 
adjournment  of  this  present  meeting — 

Co’  Antipas  Gilman  Mj’’  Samuel  Ladd  Thomas  Cogswell  Esq^ 
L*  Samuel  Folsome  Gilman  Jonathan  Flill  Co’  Badger  Col 
Greeley  Capt  Joseph  young  Thomas  Taylor  Benj“  Weeks  Esq*" 
William  Price  Joseph  Parsons  Esq*"  Hon  Joseph  Badger  Esq’’ 
John  Shepard  Esq’’  L*  Dudley  Thing  Josiah  Avery  Micajah 
Morrill  Moses  Page  Rev*’  M*"  Smith  and  M*"  Powers  were  Chos- 
en for  the  above  Committee 

Voted  to  adjourn  this  present  meeting  to  the  first  monday  in 
May  Next  at  Two  of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon 

Monday  May  7*^  ^79^  pursuant  to  the  adjournment  met 

Voted  to  Except  the  Committes  Report  respecting  the  appro- 
priating the  School  Right  to  the  benefit  of  an  Academy  in  said 
Town  and  is  as  follows — 

April  19”^  1792 

at  a meeting  of  the  Committee  to  Consider  of  the  propriety 
and  advantage  of  Establishing  an  Academy  in  Gilmanton 

Voted  I®’ that  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Committee  that  establishinof 
an  Academy  in  this  Town  would  be  useful  to  the  Inhabitants 
and  beneficial  to  the  Publick — 

2’y  Voted  as  it  has  been  Represented  to  the  Committee  that 
the  value  of  five  Hundred  pounds  would  be  subscribed  by  Indi- 
viduals for  the  above  purpose  therefore  under  these  Consider- 
ations We  the  major  part  of  your  Committee  do  agree  and  it  is 
our  Opinion  that  the  appropriation  of  the  School  Right  towards 


GILMANTON. 


15 


Establishing  an  Academy  in  this  Town  would  be  agreable  to 
the  Spirit  of  the  Charter  and  the  design  of  Goverment  and  there- 
fore that  it  ought  to  be  appropriated  accordingly 


Isaac  Smith  Price 

Micajah  Morrill  Antipas  Gilman 
Samuel  Greeley  Joseph  Badger  Ju’’ 
Moses  Page  Benj'"*  Weeks 
Dudley  Thing  Samuel  Ladd 


Joseph  young 
Thomas  Cogswell 
Walter  Powers 
Joseph  Badger 
Joseph  Parsons 
John  Shepard 


<u 

<v 

a 

s 

o 

O 


upon  the  Towns  voteing  to  receive  the  above  Report  of  the 
Committee  Respecting  the  School  Right  in  Gilmanton,  voted 
that  the  whole  of  said  Right.  Excepting  the  Northwest  half  part 
of  the  first  Division  forty  acre  Lot  which  is  reserved  for  Public 
uses  be  Given  and  Granted  forever  hereafter  for  the  benefit  and 
Support  of  an  academy  in  said  Town  of  Gilmanton  when  ever 
there  shall  be  a Sufficient  fund  subscribed  to  Set  up  the  same 

attest  W*"  Smith  Town  Clerk 


At  a Legal  Town  meeting  held  by  the  freeholders  and  other 
Inhabitants  of  Gilmanton  on  Monday  the  27^^  Day  of  Inst, 
(meaning)  August  1792 

Voted  to  Choose  a Committe  to  consist  of  Seven  men  to  take 
the  Charge  of  the  Right  of  Land  voted  at  the  last  Town  meet- 
ing for  the  use  of  an  Academy  in  Said  Town  and  to  apply  to 
the  General  Court  to  procure  an  act  for  Incorporation  and  to 
open  a Subscription  for  the  benefit  of  said  Academy 

H on.  Joseph  Badger  Esq*’  Co^  Ebenezer  Smith  Co^  Samuel 
Greeley  Joseph  Parsons  Esq*"  Co^  Antipas  Gilman  Thomas 
Cogswell  Esq*'  and  Joseph  Badger  Jif  Esq*'  were  Chosen  for  the 
above  Committee 

attest  W***  Smith  Town  Clerk 


At  the  annual  Town  meeting  held  by  the  freeholders  and 
other  Inhabitants  of  Gilmanton  March  iq*’*  1793 

voted  that  the  proposed  Academy  shall  be  set  on  Co^  Badgers 
Land  within  Thirty  Rods  of  tlie  School  House  by  Huckins® 
Brook  so  Called — 

voted  to  adioLirn  said  meeting  to  Monday  25th  of  March  In- 
stant at  one  oClock  P M — 

March  25^'*  Met  according  to  adjournment 
The  vote  that  was  passed  fixing  the  place  where  the  proposed 
Academy  should  Set  is  voted  to  be  reconsidered 

Voted  that  a meeting  be  Called  by  the  Selectmen  and  be 
Seasonably  Notified  to  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  Septem- 
ber to  determine  where  the  proposed  Academy  Shall  set 

Attest  Joseph  Parsons  Town  Clerk 


i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


At  a Legal  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants 
of  Gilmanton  on  Monday  the  Second  day  of  September  1793 
voted  that  the  proposed  Academy  shall  be  Erected  on  Joseph 
Badger  Jun^  Esq*"  Land  near  Huckis®  Brook  within  fifty  Rods 
of  the  School  House 

attest  Joseph  Parsons  Town  Clerk 


[4-97]  [ Thoinas  Cogswell  to  Uo7i.  Abiel  Foster  relative  to 

the  Academy 

Amherst  14^^  June  1794 — 

Sir — 

The  duties  of  my  Office  require  my  attendance  on  Tuesday 
next,  at  Moultonborough,  Eighty  or  ninety  Miles  from  this 
place — Since  I was  before  the  Hoifi  Senate  a Doubt  has  arisen, 
whither  the  Land  voted  by  the  Town,  of  Gilmanton  for  the  use 
of  an  Academy,  can  be  holden  for  the  use  of  Such  an  institu- 
tion ; If  it  should  turn  out  that  they  cannot  be  holden,  there 
would  be  a great  impropriety  in  the  vote  of  the  Town  carrying 
so  large  a feature  in  the  Act — What  amendments  the  Hon^®  Sen- 
ate may  propose — I shall  be  so  unfortunately  situated,  as  not  to 
know  at  present — under  these  circumstances.  If  my  Proposals 
of  amendment  should  not  meet  the  approbation  of  the  Hoifi® 
Senate,  & no  relieaf  granted,  I must,  under  all  circumstances 
request  the  Hon’®  Senate  to  Postpone  the  Bill  until  the  next 
Session  of  the  Gen’  Court — Perhaps  before  that  time  we  shall 
compromise  & Settle  the  matter,  which  at  present  appears  to 
be  in  dispute  between  us — 

I am  Sir  with  much  etseern  Yours  &c — 

Thomas  Cogswell — 

Hon’  Abiel  Foster 


[4-98]  [ Thonias  Cogszvell  to  Hon.  yohn  Pre7itice.,  relative 

to  the  Academy 

Amherst  June  12”^  ^794 — 
Sir 

it  often  happens  that  a Citizen  doing  Business  with  the  Leg- 
islative Body  of  the  State  is  under  the  Necessity  through  you 
to  Communicate  his  Sentiments  on  a Subject  that  is  not  only 
interesting  to  himself  but  the  public,  under  these  circumstances 
I trust  it  will  be  a Sufficient  appoligy  for  me  to  request  you  to 
lay  before  the  Representative  Body  of  this  State  the  following 
Sentiments — Viz. — Sometime  Since  the  Town  of  Gilmantown 
appointed  Joseph  Badger  Esq  and  others  a Committee  to  open 


GILMANTON. 


17 


a Subscription  for  the  Benefit  of  an  Accademy  in  Said  Town, 
and  to  apply  for  an  Act  of  incorporation  early  in  this  Session  a 
Petition  was  prefer’d  to  this  Honorable  Body  for  an  Act  of  in- 
corporation of  an  Accademy  in  Said  Town  and  an  Order  of 
this  Court  Issued  with  Leave  to  bring  in  a Bill  accordingly. 
The  Act  for  that  purpose  now  under  consideration  contains  a 
Clause  fixing  the  place  of  said  Accademy  in  Said  Town  which 
to  me  appears  to  exceed  the  power  of  the  Committee  or  agents 
from  the  Town. — to  exceed  the  request  of  the  Petitioners,  to 
Exceed  the  Order  of  Court  thereon  and  is  differant  from  any 
other  grant  of  this  kind,  known  in  the  Union — it  will  have  a 
tendency  (if  So  continued)  to  enhance  the  Board  of  pupils  and 
many  ways  discourage  and  hinder  the  increase  and  prosperity 
of  Such  a Semminary  of  Learning — under  these  considerations, 
I Flatter  myself  it  will  be  considered  when  I Suggest  the  Idea 
of  the  Clause  fixing  the  Accademy  at  a Certain  place  to  be 
Struck  out,  that  I have  no  other  view  than  the  General  Good — 
I am  Sir 

with  Every  Sentiment  of  Esteem 
your  Most  Obe*  hum'  Servant 

Thomas  Cogswell 

The  Hon'’'®  John  Printis  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives Stat  N Hampshire 

[4-99 

To  the  Honourable  the  senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  said  state  Humbly  shew 

We  the  subscribers  agents  appointed  by  the  Town  of  Gilman- 
ton,  to  apply  to  the  General  Court  for  an  Incorporation  of  an 
academy  in  Gilmanton,  we  therefore  pray  Your  Honours  that 
an  act  of  the  General  Court  may  be  Passed  for  the  establish- 
ment of  said  academy  with  Powers  and  privileges  Enjoyed  by 
other  academy s in  said  state  and  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
Bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c 

Dated  at  Gilmanton,  May  y®  5*'’  1794 

Joseph  Badger  Eben’’  Smith  Antipas  Gilman 

Samuel  Greeley  Joseph  Parsons  Thomas  Cogswell 

Joseph  Badger  Jr 

[Gilmanton  Academy  was  incorporated  June  20,  1794, 
with  the  following  gentlemen  as  trustees  : Hon.  Joseph 
Badger,  Rev.  Isaac  Smith,  Rev.  Joseph  Woodman,  Rev. 
Jedediah  Tucker,  Rev.  Simon  Fenley  Williams,  Joseph  Bad- 
ger, Jr.,  Thomas  Cogswell,  Ebenezer  Smith,  Joseph  Parsons, 
and  Samuel  Greeley.  The  institution  has  been  successful, 
and  numbers  many  eminent  men  among  its  alumni. — Ed.] 

4 


i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


GILSUM. 

This  town  was  granted  December  28,  1752,  to  Joseph 
Osgood  and  others,  by  the  name  of  Boyle.  None  of  these 
grantees  ever  settled  in  the  town,  probably  on  account  of 
the  depredations  of  the  Indians,  and  the  grant  was  forfeited. 

It  was  regranted  July  13,  1763,  to  Samuel  Gilbert  and 
others.  Said  Gilbert  and  Thomas  Sumner  were  prominent 
in  procuring  the  grant.  Their  families  were  connected  by 
marriage,  and  the  town  was  named  by  taking  the  first  sylla- 
ble of  each  name  and  coining  the  word  Gilsum. 

Jonathan  Bliss  and  Josiah  Kilburn  were  the  first  settlers, 
in  1762.  March  9,  1769,  the  west  part  of  the  town  was  set 
off,  and,  with  a portion  of  Westmoreland,  incorporated  into 
the  town  of  Surry. 

September  27,  1787,  the  south-east  part  of  the  town  was 
set  off,  joined  with  portions  of  Keene,  Stoddard,  and  Back- 
ersfield  (Nelson),  and  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Sullivan. 

A dispute  relative  to  the  boundary  line  between  this  town 
and  Stoddard  was  settled  by  an  act  passed  June  27,  1797, 
by  which  the  “curve  line  of  Mason’s  Patent”  was  made  the 
dividing  line  of  the  two  towns,  and  Gilsum  lost  another  tract 
of  land. 

In  1873  a few  acres  of  land  were  taken  from  Sullivan  and 
annexed  to  this  town. 

Everyman  in  town  signed  the  “Association  Test,”  and 
the  town  did  its  full  share  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  in 
the  suppression  of  the  Southern  Rebellion. 

Among  the  prominent  men  of  the  town  was  Hon.  George 
W.  Hammond,  for  many  years  an  eminent  physician.  He 
was  a member  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1850, 
member  of  the  state  senate  in  1855-56,  and  died  January 
30,  1872,  at  the  age  of  70  years. 


[4-1 1 1]  \_Petition  for  a Grant  of  the  Townships 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq  Gov*'  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  &c. 

Humbly  Shews — 

The  Petition  of  William  Lawrence  of  Groton  & Thomas 
Read  of  Westford  in  the  Province  of  the  Massa“®  That  they  to- 
gether With  fifty  Six  more  of  their  Neighbours  Are  desireous 


GILSUM. 


19 


of  Selling  a township  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  many 
of  them  not  Having  a Sufficiency  of  Lands  in  the  Massachusetts 
to  Employ  them  Selves  in  Husbandry  And  haveing  Account  of 
a tract  of  Land  Yet  ungranted  by  Your  Excellency,  that  we 
Apprehend  is  Capable  of  Setlement.  (which  Lyes  Northerly  of 
the  Upper  Ashuelot  and  Westmoreland  and  Easterly  from  Wale- 
pool  Adjoyning  to  those  towns,  and  Extends  Eastward  to  make 
the  Contents  of  Six  miles  Square)  and  in  case  we  may  Obtain, 
the  favour  of  your  Excellency  in  making  us  a grant  on  y®  Con- 
ditions, Other  of  his  Majestys  Lands  there  are  Granted,  Shall 
make  a Spedy  & Effectuall  Setlement  there 

Wherefore  we  pray  that  y*"  Excellency  would  See  meet  to  fa^ 
vour  us  with  Liberty  to  Survey  the  Same  Under  your  directions,. 
And  that  we  may  Obtain  a Grant  Accordingly  And  as  in  Duty 
bound  Shall  pray  &c 

Groton  March  16  : 1752  William  Lawrence 

Thomas  Read 


[4-1 10]  S^Petition  to  have  the  Charter  le7tgthened  out^ 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq^  Gov*"  & Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majesty’s  Province  of  New 
Hamp*”  and  To  the  hon*^’®  his  Majesty’s  Council  for  Said  Prov- 
ince 

The  memorial  of  Thomas  Sumner  in  Behalf  of  himself  & 
Others  Prop*^®  in  the  Town  of  Boyle  in  Said  Province.  Shews 
That  in  the  Year  1752  Your  ExcelP  & Honors  Granted  the 
Township  of  Boyle  upon  the  Conditions  & under  the  restric- 
tions as  Per  Charter  Declar’d — 

That  by  the  Intervention  of  the  Late  War  your  Memorialist’® 
Constituents  have  been  (till  Very  Lately)  Prevented  from  Doing 
the  Duty,  but  Notwithstanding  they  have  Sever’d  & Drawn  by 
Lotts  the  Said  Tract  of  Land  to  & among  all  the  Prop’’®,  that 
Many  of  Your  Memorialists  Constituents  are  now  Actually  Liv- 
dng  with  their  familys  on  S*^  Tract  of  Land  & Many  More  Going 
Early  In  the  Spring  & there  are  Now  Many  Acres  of  Wheat 
Sowd  there  & In  all  Probability  the  Township  Will  be  Intirely 
Settled  According  to  the  True  & Intent  & Meaning  of  the  Grant 
bv  Next  Summer  But  as  the  Time  Prefix’d  in  the  Grant  Was 
Elaps’d  & that  Before  it  Was  Possible  (for  the  reason  afores*^) 
for  ’em  To  Enter  & Improve,  they  Conceive  it  Absolutely  Nec- 
essary that  Your  ExcelP  & Honors  (if  you  think  fit)  Sho'^  Grant 
a Suspension  of  the  forfeiture  & further  indulge  ’em  with  Such 
a Term  of  time  as  they  may  be  Enabled  to  fulfill  the  Duty  afore- 
said & are  Encouraged  to  Ask  the  fav*"  Because  your  Exc^  & 


20 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


honors  are  Wonted  To  Endulge  Prop’’®  in  the  Like  Circumstan- 
ces & Your  Memorialist  Shall  Ever  pray — 

Jan^  24  1763.  Tho®  Sumner 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  by  a regrant  of  the 
township  by  the  name  of  Gilsum,  July  13,  1763. — Ed.] 


[4-109]  \_Relative  to  Boundary  Line  between  this  town  and 

Stoddard.^ 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"®  Cap*  General  Gov- 
ernor & Commander  in  Chief  in  & Over  his  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hamp’’  The  HoiP^®  his  Majestys  Council  for  Said 
Province — 

The  Memorial  of  Sampson  Stoddard  & Jonathan  Blanchard 
for  themselves  & Others  Prop’®  of  a Tract  of  Land  Called  Mo- 
nad^ N°  7,  in  Said  Province  Shew 

That  on  the  13**’  day  of  July  1763  his  Majesty  by  his  Letters 
Patent  under  the  Seal  of  Said  Province  Granted  a Tract  of  Land 
of  the  Contents  of  About  Seven  Miles  Square  to  Samuel  Gil- 
bert Esq’  & Others  by  the  Name  of  Gilsum  That  a Considera- 
ble part  was  Laid  out  (as  We  apprehend  By  Mistake)  within 
Masons  Patent  So  Called  Long  Since  Granted,  to  us  & asociates 
That  the  Grantees  of  Said  Gilsum  have  faild  Making  any  Set- 
tlement on  any  part  So  falling  within  Masons  Claim  that  to  pre- 
vent Disputes  Between  his  Majestys  Good  Subjects  We  pray 
that  We  May  be  Allow*^  to  Improve  our  Lands  as  far  West  as 
the  Patent  Line  afores'*  for  the  Benefit  of  our  Selves  & Fam- 
ilys — without  Any  Interuption  from  the  Grantees  of  Gillsom  & 
We  as  In  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray — 

Sampson  Stoddard 

Portsm®  July  13,  1768 — Jon^  Blanchard 

[The  foregoing  was  granted.  See  introduction. — Ed.] 


[4-108]  \_Relative  to  Gen.  y antes  Reed.,  -^775*] 

To  the  respectable  Body  of  Delegates  Assembled  in  Provin- 
cial Congress  at  Exeter  in  New  Hampshire — The  Petition  of  a 
Considerable  number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Said  Province. 

Humbly  Sheweth — That  your  Petitioners  are  Strongly  at- 
tached to  the  true  Interest,  welfare  and  safety  of  this  their  native 
Country,  and  are  willing  to  Exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  in 


GILSUM. 


21 


the  Defence  of  their  Just  and  Constitutional  rights  and  Privi- 
ledges  and  imagine  that  any  man  or  Bodies  of  men  w’ho  en- 
deavor to  wrest  them  from  us  ought  to  be  anathematized — 

It  is  real  anxiety  and  concern  for  our  Distressed  Country, 
which  causes  us  thus  to  trouble  you  at  this  time,  Your  Petition- 
ers apprehend  (not  that  we  would  Presume  to  Dictate)  that  all 
Persons  who  have  in  any  measure  or  Degree  Discovered  them- 
selves inimical  to  those  Persons,  (who  have  from  the  first  rise 
of  the  Controversy  Betwixt  Great  Brittain  and  the  Colonies,  ap- 
proved themselves  to  their  Fellow  Countrymen  true  and  Disin- 
terested Patriots,  or  those  who  have  Derided  and  Set  at  nought 
the  Proceedings  and  resolutions  of  the  united  Wisdom  of  the 
Colonies  in  the  Late  Continental  Congress)  ought  not  to  Sustain 
any  Office,  Either  Civil  or  military  in  this  Critical  conjuncture 
of  affairs — Upon  a review  of  these  Sentiments,  we  were  not  a 
Little  Surprised  to  here  that  James  Reed  Esq  of  Fitzwilliam 
was  not  only  in  nomination  but  Actually  Appointed  a Com- 
mander of  a Regiment  in  the  Army  to  be  raised  for  Defending 
those  rights  and  Immunities  which,  by  some  past  Conduct  we 
have  reason  to  think  were  not  very  highly  Esteemed  by  him  ; it 
is  truely  painfull  for  us,  thus  to  Impeach  the  Character  of  a re- 
puted Gentleman,  much  more  that,  of  one  who  otherwise  is 
really  so  ; yet  we  imagine  the  Exigency  of  our  affairs  will  in  a 
Great  Measui'e,  if  not  altogether,  attone  for  Such  a Measure  of 
Proceedure, — We  Earnestly  Desire  that  neither  he  or  any  other 
Person  (who  have  not  Approved,  themselves  Steady  and  real 
Friends  to  the  Great  and  Glorious  Cause  in  which  we  are  En- 
gaged) Should  be  Promoted  Either  in  the  Civil  or  Military 
Lists,  Gentlemen  Your  Inffuence  in  this  matter  will  Oblige 
Thousands  besides  Your  Humble  Servants 

May  ^775  Jonathan  Smith 

Joshua  Darte 


thos  Darte 
Gershom  Crocker 
Pelatiah  Pease 
Josiah  Goldsmith 


Ebenezer  Dewey 
John  Row 
John  Chapman 


Ebenezer  Dewey  ju 
John  Row  jun’’ 
Thomas  Harvey 


[4-107]  \_R dative  to  a Wii'e  Factory^  77/d.] 

To  the  Honorable  Council  and  house  of  Representitves  of  the 
Colony  of  New  Hampshire. 

The  Petetion  of  Joel  Kilbourn  of  Gillsum  in  said  Colony 
Humbly  Sheweth  Whereas  Your  Petetionor  being  Desirous  to 
Carry  on  the  Business  of  Makeing  Wire  and  having  found  by 
Experience  that  he  can  make  any  Size  of  iron  Wire  to  Good 
Perfection  yet  not  being  able  to  Set  up  the  Works  unless  said 


22 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Wire  is  Sold  at  much  Grater  Price  than  usal — Therefore  Hum- 
bly Desires  Your  Honours  to  take  the  matter  into  Consideration 
and  if  in  Your  Wisdom  You  think  Proper  to  Encourage  Said 
Manafacture  by  Allowing  Your  Petitioner  a Sum  that  may  En- 
able him  to  Set  up  s*^  works  he  will  Engage  to  Sell  Said  Wire 
as  Cheap  as  Possable  he  Being  Desireous  to  Serve  the  publick 
in  the  Best  Manner  he  is  able  for  Which  Great  Liberality  tow- 
ards him  and  the  Public  your  Petetioner  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall 
Ever  pray — 

Gillsum  May  24*^  1776  Joel  Kilburne 


We  the  Subscribeis  being  Desireous  that  the  Manufacture  of 
makeing  Wire  may  be  Set  up  and  being  Acquainted  with  the 
ingenuity  and  fidelity  of  the  Petetioner  by  his  Desire  have  Set 
our  Names  here  to  Stephen  Griswold 

Ebenezer  Dewey  Ju 
Pelatiah  Pease 


Sleet 

men 


Ephraim  Dorman 
Tho*^  Wells 
Elijah  Blake 
Benj  Archer 
Eliph*  Briggs 
Josiah  Richardson 


Signers  in  Keen 

Tho®  Baker 
John  Houghton 
Achilles  Mansfield 
RoD  Gillmor 
Joseph  Blake 
William  woods 


James  Hunt 
Benj^  Hall 
Silas  Cook 
Israel  Houghton 
Daniel  Kingsbury 
Simeon  Washburn 


[4-103]  \_Relative  to  Collection  of  Taxes^  iy82C\ 

Cheshire  ss  June  7‘^  17S2 

Then  Personally  appeared  James  Roe  Constable  for  the 
Town  of  Gilsum  for  the  Year  1780  and  to  whom  a Warrant  was 
directed  and  delivered  for  Collecting  the  Qiiota  of  Continental 
Money  for  said  Town  of  Gilsum,  assessed  upon  said  Town 
agreeable  to  an  Act  passed  the  Gen^  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  March  i^^th  1780,  for  calling  in  the  s*^  States  quota  or 
Proportion  of  the  Bills  of  Credit  emitted  by  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  after  being  Carefully  examined  and  cautioned  to 
testify  the  truth,  the  whole  truth  and  nothing  but  the  truth  made 
Oath,  that  the  enclosed  Continental  Currency  counted  by,  and 
told  by  me  amounting  in  the  whole  to  seven  hundred  and  twelve 
dollars  and  four  shillings  was  taken  and  received,  the  same 
Identical  Money  upon  the  Rate  to  me  delivered,  and  upon  s^ 
Warrant,  before  the  twenty  seventh  day  of  June  1781  and  is  part 
of  the  said  Roes  collection  on  said  Warrant  and  none  of  said 
Mone_v  was  received  after  the  said  twenty  seventh  day  of  June 

Tho®  Baker  Just  Peac® 


GILSUM. 


23 


[4-104]  \_Return  of  Ratable  Polls^ 

Surry  March  17S4 

To  Nath^  S Prentice  Esq*" — Representative  for  Alstead  Surry  & 
Marlow 

Sir  from  the  principle  Inhabitants  of  Gilsom  the  Town  Class‘d 
with  Surry  we  are  certified  that  there  is  Sixty  Eight  Male  polls 
paying  Each  One  a poll  Tax  for  himself  within  there  Town 
which  you  may  venture  to  certify  to  the  Gen^  Court  at  your 
Option  Lem^^  Holmes  Town  Clark  Surry 


[4-105] 

The  legal  Voters  of  the  town  of  Gilsum  that  are  quallefied 
acording  to  law  to  vote  for  representation  are  71 
Dated  at  Gilsum  Levi  Bliss  ] Select 

March  17S4  Ebenezer  Church  j Men 


[4-106]  \_Petition  for  a New  Pown.^ 

Cheshire  ss  State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Town  of  Packerfield  in  said  county  the  Petetion  of  us 

the  Subscribers  Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  Whereas  your  humble  petetioners  Living  in  the  most 
Remote  Corners  of  the  Several  Towns  viz  the  Northeast  Corner 
of  Keen  the  Southeast  Corner  of  Gillsom  and  the  South  west 
Corner  of  Stoddard  many  of  us  living  Six  or  Seven  miles  from 
publick  Worship  and  the  roads  being  exceding  bad  and  by  rea- 
son of  many  inconveniences  we  labour  under  on  that  Account — 
we  therefore  humbly  pi'ay  that  the  Towm  of  Packerfield  would 
take  our  Circumstances  into  Consideration  and  insert  an  Article 
in  the  Warrant  or  Notification  of  your  next  Annual  meeting  to 
Se  if  it  be  the  minds  of  the  Town  to  Set  oft' Some  part  of  your 
Town  viz  from  the  Northwest  Corner  East  Two  Miles  and 
South  two  Miles  and  half  that  so  with  the  Corners  of  the  Above 
mentioned  adjoining  Towns  we  should  be  able  to  form  a Dis- 
tinct Town — which  Request  if  Granted  we  your  Humble  pete- 
tioners as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray — 

To  the  Hon  Select  men  of  the  Town  of  Packerfield 

Jonathan  Burnam  John  Rowe  Timothy  Dewey 

Thomas  Morse  W^illiam  Burnam  Samuel  Seward 

Oliver  Carter  Ezra  Osgood  Timothy  Dimock 


24 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Nathan  Bolster 
Benj*  Ellis 
Joseph  Ellis 
Zadock  Xims 
Roswell  Hubbard 
Ebenezer  Birdet 


Nathan  Ellis 
Jonathan  Horton 
Joshua  Osgood 
Eliakim  Nims 
Erastus  Hubbard 
James  Rowe 


Simeon  Ellis 
Josiah  Seward 
Ezra  IMetcalf 
David  Ruo^gr 

o o 

James  Lock 


Packersfield  march  y®  29^^  17S6 
Voted  to  aloue  the  within  Protision 

Provided  that  the  other  Parts  Jenly  and  Severlv  Jone  togather 

Consider  osgood  ^ Select 
Amos  Child  ^ men 


[4-103]  S^CertiJicate  of  Vote  of  Tozon, 

Gilsum  Sep*  10*^  AD  17S7 

This  mav  Certifv  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  the  State 
of  Newhampshire  Next  to  be  holden  at  Charlestown  That  at  A 
Legal  town  ^Meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Gilsum  holden  in  said 
town  the  first  Day  of  December  Last  the  third  article  in  the 
Warrant  for  Said  Meeting  Being  to  Se  if  the  town  would  take 
any  method  to  oppose  the  East  Part  of  the  town  Being  Set  off 
Passed  in  the  Negative  it  Being  the  Last  time  that  an^'  Article 
has  Been  inserted  in  any  Warrant  for  That  purpose — 

A true  Coppy 

Attest  Timothy  Dewey  T.  Clerk 


[4-101] 

Gilsum  December  i®*  17S6 

This  may  Certify  the  Honourable  general  Court  of  this  State 
that  the  town  of  Gilsum  Have  Been  Servd  with  a Coppy  of  the 
petition  and  order  of  Court  thereon  with  Regard  to  Being  incor- 
porated into  a Distinct  town  when  Connected  with  a part  of 
Stoddard  keene  and  packersfield  agreeable  to  a petition  sent  to 
the  honourable  Court  the  Last  sessions — 

Jonathan  Adams  ] Select 
Ebenezer  Bill  j men 

[The  south-east  corner  of  the  town  was  set  off,  and,  with 
portions  of  Stoddard,  Nelson,  and  Keene,  incorporated  into 
the  town  of  Sullivan  by  an  act  passed  Sept.  27,  1787. — Ed.] 


GOFFSTOWN. 


25 


\^Non~ Resident  Land- Owners^  iygjL\ 


[An  inventory  of  Gilsiim,  certified  May  30,  1793,  by  Za- 
doc  Hurd  and  Robert  Lane  Hurd,  selectmen,  and  sworn  to 
before  David  Blish,  gives  the  following  non-resident  land- 
owners. — Ed.] 


Josiah  Kilburn 
John  Biggelow 
Jonathan  Loveland 
Noah  Beebe 
Uriah  How 
Nathan  Hayward 
Eliphelet  Dart 
Samuel  Gilbert’s  h( 


Philip  Munro 
Levi  Blood 
Jobe  Gleason 
Oliver  Prime 
John  Boyinton 
Moses  D.  Field 
Jonathan  Smith 
rs 


Benony  Olcutt 
Jonathan  Ramont 
Abel  Allen 
Isaak  Hammond 
Woolston  Brockway 
Unprey  Lion 
Joseph  Sibley 


GOFFSTOWN. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  proprietors  in 
1748  to  Rev.  Thomas  Parker,  of  Dracut,  Mass.,  and  others. 
It  took  its  name  from  Col.  John  Goffe,  and  in  the  act  of  in- 
corporation it  is  given  “Goff’s  Town.” 

It  was  incorporated  June  16,  1761.  by  the  governor  and 
council  of  New  Hampshire,  to  continue  a corporate  body 
until  March  25,  1763  ; and  April  5,  1763,  the  incorporation 
was  revived,  to  continue  “until  we  shall  please  to  approve  or 
disallow  the  same.” 

July  2,  1822,  a portion  of  the  town  was  taken,  and,  with 
portions  of  Dunbarton  and  Chester,  incorporated  into  the 
town  of  Hooksett. 

June  20,  1825,  some  islands  in  Merrimack  river  were  an- 
nexed to  the  town. 

June  18,  1836,  the  farm  of  Isaac  Parker  was  severed  from 
New  Boston,  and  annexed  to  this  town. 

The  line  between  Dunbarton  and  Goffstown  was  estab- 
lished by  an  act  passed  Jan.  7,  1853. 

July  I,  1853,  a portion  of  Goffstown  was  annexed  to  Man- 
chester, the  town  previously  extending  to  the  Merrimack 
river. 


26 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-1 1 2]  \^Relative  to  Chiu'ch  Matters,'\ 

County  of  Hillsborough  Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap^  General  & 

Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesties  Province  of 

New  Hampshire,  and  to  the  Honorable  his  Majesties  Coun- 
cil, and  House  of  Representatives 

We  his  Majesties  loyal  Subjects,  living  in  the  town  of  Goffs- 
town  in  Province,  beg  leave  to  offer  to  your  Excellency  & 
Honors  our  Remonstrance  against  the  Petition  of  a Number  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  town,  who  call  themselves  Presbyterians, 
and  who  have  prayed  your  Excellency  & Honors  to  set  them  of 
as  a distinct  Parish — and  to  be  invested  with  priviledges  as 
such. 

We  humbly  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency  & Honors, 
that  the  Town  of  Goffstown  is  by  no  means  at  present  able  to 
Support  two  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  Salary  which 
they  now  give  is  very  Small,  by  reason  of  their  incapacity  ; as 
was  said  when  voted  & therefore  voted  part  to  be  paid  in  labour 
& in  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  the  town  Subsists  of  about  ninety 
Families  ; Some  of  which  are  under  very  poor  Circumstances, 
not  able  to  raise  their  own  Bread  Corn — or  Scarcly  to  clothe 
themselves  and  Children  in  anv  comfortable  & decent  Manner. 

And  the  town  Considering  the  illconveniences  which  would 
unavoidably  arise  from  their  Being  at  present,  in  their  weak 
Circumstances  set  of  into  two  distinct  Parishes,  proposed  & 
offered  at  a legal  town  Meeting,  to  those  who  were  inclining  to 
be  Presbyterians — that  if  they  would  assist  & dwell  together  in 
Love  as  becometh  people  professing  Godliness — when  ever  it 
should  be  supposed  by  reasonable  & indifferent  Persons,  that 
the  town  was  able  in  a decent  Manner  to  support  two  Ministers 
— they  would  assist  them  in  building  a Meeting  as  far  as  they 
had  already  assisted  in  building  the  present  One.  this  proposal 
was  rejected  by  them — 

We  would  likewise  beg  leave  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  & 
Honors  that  some  of  the  Petitioners  who  want  to  be  erected  into 
a distinct  Parish  in  Goffstown,  were  never  Inhabitants  of 
town,  neither  were  ever  rated  in  town  Some  of  those  which 
live  in  town  were  never  educated,  in  what  they  call  the 
Presbyterian  Way,  but  thro’  the  importunity  of  others  were 
perswaded  to  joyn  them 

It  is  likewise  certain  that  a learge  Number  of  them  have  had 
their  Children  baptized  by  congregational  Ministers  & without 
the  least  dissatisfaction — 

therefore  we  pray  your  Excellency  & Honors  to  consider  our 
Circumstances,  and  how  unhappy  we  should  be,  if  made  into 


GOFFSTOWN. 


27 


two  distinct  Parishes — neither  Parish  would  be  able  to  support  a 
gospel  Minister  among  them,  & of  consequence  both  must  be 
destute — and  being  bound  in  Duty  Shall  Ever  pray 


Ebenezer  Wood 
Benjamin  Richards 
Joseph  Sanders 
Jonas  Hestins 
Benjamin  Stevens 
juner 

Timothy  farrain 
Hannary  Dow 
Samuel  Sanders 
Benj  Tiffany 
Sam  Blodget 
Aaron  wells 
Jonathan  Martain 
Thom  is  Stevens 

his 

Richard  -j-  Colby 

mark 

Richard  Collins 
Joshua  Martain 
Moses  Littel 
John  Sargant 
Andrew  Kimbal 
Joseph  Hadley 
Tho®  Huse 
Benj.  Richards 
moses  Littel 
Tho®  Stevens 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Elez  : Emerson 
Tim^  Stevens 
Benj.  Dow 
Jos.  Dow 
John  Smith 


Simon  Tuttel 
Robert  Richardson 
Tho®  Karr 
John  Gorge 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Joseph  Emons 
Joseph  Dow  juner 
Simon  Tuttle 
Eleezer  emmison 
Obadiah  House 
Jothan  Tuttle 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Job  Dow 

John  -{^  Colby 

mark 

Henry  Blasdel 
moses  wells 
Joseph  OWady 
David  Hall 
Alex’"  Walker 
John  : George 
John  Clogston 
John  Hadley 
Enoch  Page 
widow  Butterfield 
Job  dow 
ED  wood 
Joseph  Littel 
Joshua  Cories 
Eb*"  Johnson 
Jos.  Dow  Ju*' 
Jotham  Tuttel 


Samuel  Richards 
Hugh  macCalley 
Jacob  Sargaint 
Timothy  Stevens 
James  Eaton 
Benjamin  Dow 
Josiah-Wood 
William  Bell 
Enoch  Page 
Joseph  Dow 
Joseph  Little 
Thomas  Saltmarsh 
Philip  Noyes 
Ezekiel  VVells 
Moses  Wells  iur 
Job  Kider 
Elias  Sargant 
Caleb  Kimbal 
asa  Pettey 
John  Davis 
Philip  Ferren 
Enoch  Eatton 
Sam'  annes 
Benj  Steven  Jff 
RoD  Gill  more 
Benj  Stevens 
Geor  : Hadley 
Tim^  Johnson 
Henry  Dow 
Tim^"  Ferren 


[4-1 14]  \^Petition  ^rom  Presbyte?'ia?is^ 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq’’  Captain  General 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  in  N England  And  to  the  Hon- 
orable his  Majestys  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Assembly  convened 

The  humble  Petition  of  his  Majesty’s  Subjects  Inhabitants  of 
Goffestown  and  Province  aforesaid  sheweth 


28 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  your  Petitioners  most  or  all  of  them  have  been  educat- 
ed in  the  Presbyterian  persuasion  and  look  on  themselves  as 
bound  in  conscience  still  to  adhere  to  the  same  perswasion 
That  your  Petitioners  generally  inhabit  one  part  of  the  said 
Goffestown  which  renders  their  associating  together  for  public 
Worship  more  convenient 

That  your  Petitioners  have  had  some  Supply  of  Preaching 
from  the  Presbytery  to  which  we  are  connected  and  expect 
more  from  time  to  time  and  soon  to  be  in  a capacity  (through 
Providential  Smiles)  to  build  a Meeting  House  and  settle  a 
Minister  of  their  own  persuasion 

!May  it  therefore  please  your  Excellency  and  Honors  impar- 
tially to  consider  the  premises  and  by  your  Authority  to  enact 
that  your  Petitioners  may  be  a distinct  Society  cloathed  with 
Parish  powers  that  so  they  may  be  in  a legal  Capacity  of  levy- 
ing Parish  Charges  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  Pray  &c 

Dated  at  Goffestown  November  2^  1771 


William  M*^Doal  Thomas  Shirla 
Alexander  Gilchrist  John  Dunlap 


John  Gilmore 
John  Orr 
Daniel  M^^Farland 
Tho®  Miller 
Tho®  Kennedy 
Wilam  ]\Pferson 
James  Barr  jun’’ 
Silas  Walker 


George  Adison 
James  Marr 
James  MTerson  juiP 
Daniell  Marr 
Robart  Kennedy 
James  ]Moor 
Joseph  Kennedy 
Alexander  M'^Cov 


John  Dinsmore 
Robert  Spear 
Sam^  ]\PFarland 
Alexander  Kennedy 
James  M'^Ferson 
James  Barr 
Samuel  Kennedy 
George  Cunningham 
David  M^^Cluer 


John  M'^ferson  Late  of  Haverhill  now  of  Bedford 
William  Dunlap  Belongs  to  Chester 
John  Butterfield  Bread  a Congregational 
Antipas  Dodge  Bread  Congregational 

Jn°  Little  Swore  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  Ruen  Gofts- 
town 

Daniel  Allen  not  Rated 

David  Currier  Bread  a Congregational 


[4-1 15]  \^Relative  to  the  Settleiiient  of  Rev.  Mr.  Currier .~\  ■ 

Whereas  there  is  a Town  iMeeting  Legually  Warned  to  be 
held  in  Goffstown  this  15^*^  Day  of  July  177^’ 

Particulars  that  is  Noted  in  the  Warrant  to  be  acted  L^pon  is  to 
See  if  the  Town  will  Choose  a Committee  to  Settle  M*"  Currier 
as  a Gospel  ^Minister,  in  the  Town  We  the  Subscribers  Being 
Presbyterrians  by  Proffession,  and  having  at  Different  times 


GOFFSTOWN. 


29 


Renewed  our  Covenant  With  God  and  Vowed  to  him  to  Main- 
tain the  Doctrins  Discipline  and  Government  of  the  Church  of 
Scotland  Whereof  we  Profess  our  Selves  to  be  Members  there- 
fore we  Do  Not  as  yet  See  our  Selves  in  Duty  Bound  to  Cast 
these  our  Vows  Behind  our  backs  and  Settle  a Alan  of  Another 
Proswasion,  and  as  we  Would  Not  be  found  Lukewarm  and 
Indifferent  in  a Matter  of  So  Great  Import  We  thought  to  Cer- 
tify our  Bretheren  of  this  Matter  in  this  Manner 


Alex’"  Gilcrest 
Antipas  Dodge 
James  Barr  Jun’" 
Daniel  APfarland 
Robert  Speer 
Jam®  Person  JuiP 


Thomas  Aliller 
James  Barr 
John  Todd 
William  madoel 
James  Person 
Sam’^  APfarland 


John  Dinsmoor 
Daniel  Alan* 
George  Addison 
David  APCluer 
William  Person 


[4—116]  \_Remonstra7ice  to  JjTr.  Currier  s Settlement. 


Whereas  there  is  a Town  Aleeting  Legally  Warned  to  be 
held  in  Goffes  Town  on  friday  the  Thirtieth  day  this  Instent 
and  the  Particulers  that  is  insearted  in  the  warrant  to  be  acted 
upon  that  Day  is  mostly  Concearning  Ordaining  m’’  Currier  as 
a Gospell  Minester  in  the  Town  and  to  Do  Something  more 
towards  finishing  the  Aleetinghouse,  and  we  whose  names  are 
under  written  being  of  a Differant  Perswasion  and  are  not  De- 
tarmined  to  Settle  m’’  Currier  as  our  Alinester  therefore  we  Pro- 
test against  Every  particualer  in  the  fore  mentioned  warrant  as 
we  are  not  Determined  to  act  on  any  thing  at  that  meeting 
Neither  are  we  a mind  to  pay  aney  part  of  m’'  Currier’  Rates  as 
we  are  Presbytereans  by  profession 
Goffes  Town  August  21  1771 


Will“  APDoel 
Alex‘S"  APCoy 
X Daniel  Alan* 

X David  APCluer 
XTho®  Smith 
John  Todd 
X Joseph  Kennedy  James  Barr 
Xjohn  Little  Xjohn  On* 

XAIathew  Kennedy 
XWilP’  Kemp 
James  Person 
WilP’  ferson 


George  Addeson 
John  Dinsmoor 
James  Alan* 

X Daniel  APfarland 
XAlex’^’’  Gilcrest 
Roliart  Kennedy 


Tho®  Shirla 
X James  Aloor 
Idiom®  Aliller 
Saiff^  APfarland 
X Robart  Spear 
Sam^^  Kennedy 
X James  Barr  JuiP 
X James  forson  JuiP 
X'Silas  Walker 
Xjohn  Butterfield 
Xjohn  Seshons 
Will™  APDougall 


Antipas  Dodge 
XDaniell  Allen 
John  Dunlap 
Tho®  Kennedy 
X Those  of  this  mark  were  not  at  the  Aleeting 
A true  Copy  of  Record  attest 

P*"  Alex'^’’  Walker 
Town  Clark 


30 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-116]  [^Proceedings  oJ~  Pown~ Meetings  iyyi.~\ 


Province  of  New  Hamp*" 

At  a meeting  Legally  warned  and  held  at  the  Meeting  house 
in  Goffes  Town  on  Friday  the  Thirteenth  Day  of  August  1771 
V otted  Sam^*  Blodgett  Esqr  Moderator 
Votted  That  the  meeting  Be  Carried  on  by  a hand  Vote 
Votted  That  the  Protest  Signed  by  Will™  M*^Doel  and  others 
against  the  Legallety  of  this  Meeting  held  this  Day  by  vartue  of 
a warrant  Dated  August  17  1771  We  Look  upon  it  to  be  of  no 
Velidety  therefore  the  Signers  have  a Liberty  to  Vote  this  Day 
if  they  think  proper  for  the  Several  Reasons  here  after  Exprest 
firstlv’  Because  Sundrey  of  the  names  in  Said  protest  Doth  not 
Appear  to  the  Town  they  Ever  signed  Being  in  number  Eigh- 
teen. Some  of  which  are  Said  to  be  Disartors  the  names  of 
those  absent  are  as  followeth. 


James  Moor 
Daniel  M^^farland 
Robart  Spear 
John  Little 
Mathew  Kennedy 
Daniel  Allen 


Daniell  Man* 
Thomas  Smith 
Joseph  Kennedy 
John  On* 

Silas  Walker 
John  Sashons 


David  M‘^Cluer 
Alex^''  Gilcrest 
James  Barr  JuiF 
James  Person  JuiT 
Will™  Kemp 
John  Buterfield 


A true  Coppy  of  Record  attest  p^ 

Alex*^^  Walker  Town  Clark 


[4-‘i7] 

Gofistown  may  29“  i77^ 

This  may  Certify  that  I the  Subscriber  was  one  of  the  Select 
men  for  the  town  of  Goffstown  for  the  year  1771  and  attended 
the  Last  anual  march  meeting  a Dispute  arose  concerning  the 
choice  of  a moderator  and  it  appears  to  me  that  Sam  Blodget 
Esq*"  had  twenty  five  voters  and  m’’  alex*^*"  Gillcrest  had  but 
Twenty  four  votes  by  pole  Exclusive  of  Jonathan  Rowell  & 
John  Pettey  who  ware  in  my  oppinion  neighther  of  them  Legal 
voters 

attest 

Alex*^''  Walker  James  Karr 


[4-118]  [Relative  to  a Dispute  at  Tow7i-iMeeting^  7772.] 

To  His  Excellency  john  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General  Gov- 
ernor and  commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same 
The  Honourable  his  ^Majesty’s  Council  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives for  said  Province  to  be  convened  at  Portsmouth  in 
said  Province  on  Tuesday  the  19*  day  of  May  Current 


GOFFSTOWN. 


31 


We  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Goffstown  in  the  County 
of  Hillsborough  in  said  Province  Humbly  Complains 

That  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Goffstown  at  their  last  Annual 
March  Meeting  haveing  some  disputing  on  the  Business  of  the 
day  after  which  the  selectmen  published  who  were  Legal  Vot- 
ers according:  to  the  Law  of  said  Province  After  which  the 
Votes  were  brought  in  for  a Moderator  The  Votes  were  Twen- 
ty five  for  the  Honourable  Samuel  Blodget  Esq*'  and  Twenty 
Six  for  Alexander  Gillcrest.  On  which  said  M*'  Blodget  said 
one  John  Pattee  was  not  a legal  Voter  (Who  had  Voted  for  said 
Gillcrest®  being  Moderator)  The  Selectmen  said  he  was  but  M"^ 
Blodget  Insisted  he  was  not  and  that  his  Vote  should  be  thrown 
out  which  was  done  Then  the  Votes  stood  25  for  one  and  25 
for  the  other  After  which  M*'  Blodget  pulled  a power  of  Attor- 
ney out  of  his  pocket  and  Read  it  Given  by  one  job  Rowel  (who 
is  since  Dead)  to  his  son  Jonathan  Rowel  (a  Minor  and  who 
had  never  been  Rated)  Impowering  said  Jonathan  to  Vote  at 
said  Meeting  and  M*"  Blodget  insisted  that  said  Jonathan  had  a 
legal  right  to  vote  in  said  meeting  by  Vertue  of  said  power 
Which  said  Jonathan  did  and  Voted  for  M”"  Blodget  to  be  Mod- 
erator which  turned  the  Vote  in  M*"  Blodgets  favour  And  that 
said  Pattee  was  not  Allowed  to  Vote  x\nd  the  said  Jonathans 
Voteing  and  Pattee  being  deprived  caused  Diferent  men  to  be 
chose  town  officers  than  would  have  been  By  Which  means  We 
humbly  conceive  we  are  much  Injured  and  Deprived  of  our 
Just  and  Legal  Rights 

Wherefore  we  your  Complainants  and  petitioners  Humbly 
prays  Your  Excellency  and  Honours  to  take  our  Case  into  your 
considerations  and  Grant  us  such  Relief  as  in  your  Great  Wis- 
doms shall  seem  meet  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray 


Dated  at  Goflestown  the  i8‘''  day  of  May  AD  1772 


William  fearson 
David  M'^Cluer 
William  madel 
Matt"'  Kennadey 
Robert  Spear 
Antipas  Dodge 
Silas  Walker 
Daniel  mTarland 
Alex*'  Gilcrest 
Dan'*  Man* 

James  Barr  inner 
Tho®  Kennedy 
John  Patee 


James  ferson 
John  Dunlap 
George  Addison 
John  Dinsmoor 
william  Dunlap 
John  Clogston 
John  Butterfield 
D avid  Currier 
John  Little 
James  Man* 
Alexander  m'^Cay 
Thomas  Hadle\^ 
Robert  Kennedy 


John  On* 

Asa  Pattee 
Joseph  Kennedy 
Sam**  M’^Farland 
Thomas  Shirla 
Daniel  Allen 
Jeames  fearson 
Geor  Hadley 
Thom®  Miller 
James  Aloor 
James  Barr 
Samuel  Kennedy 
George  Cunningham 


32 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[In  council,  June  3,  1772,  the  proceedings  of  the  fore- 
going meeting  were  declared  illegal,  and  a new  election 
ordered. — Ed.] 


[4-1 19]  \_Petitio7i  for  a Lottery  to  build  Bridges  over  Pis- 

cataquog  Piver, 

Po  Phe  Uord*^^  Councel  and  House  of  Represe?itatives  of  the 

good  People  of  f State  of  Hew  Ha7npshire  i?i  Ge7ieral 

Court  asse77ibled  December  177 J 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Goffstown,  County  of 
Hillsborough  & State  aforesaid  and  others, 

Hu77ibly  Sheweth 

That,  There  are  two  Large  Streams,  running  through  said 
Town,  more  Particularly  one  known  by  the  name  of  Pis- 
cataquog  River,  which  is  well  known  to  be  wide,  and  Verry 
rapid,  at  Sertain  Seasons,  Passing  through  the  Center  of  said 
Town, 

That  vour  Petitioners,  are  under  the  Necessity  of  Support- 
ing, three  Large  Bridges,  over  said  River,  for  the  Publick  ben- 
efit Viz‘ — 

a bridge  near  twenty  Rods  in  Length,  (verry  much  Im- 
proved) on  the  great  County  Road,  that  Leadeth  through 
Ware,  L7  many  Different  ways.  Northerly  & Westerlv  to  The 
Interior  Parts  of  the  State, — 

2^  another  bridge,  near  15  Rods  in  Length,  of  great  use  to 
the  Publick.  &:  near  the  Center  of  the  Town  that  the  Major 
Part  of  the  Inhabitants  are  under  necesitv  of  crossing-  it  to  at- 

^ o 

tend  Public  Worship — 

The  Third  Bridge  is  on  the  North  Branch  of  said  River, 
Near  the  Division  line,  of  New  Boston  & Goffston  on  the 
Leading  Road  through  N.  Boston,  to  the  Western  Part  of  the 
State — 

The  other  Stream  is  called  Black  Brook,  large,  and  verry 
rapid  at  Sertain  Seasons,  where  we  are  oblidged  to  Support 
three  other  expensive  Bridges,  also  a large  share  of  Smaller 
Bridges,  which  with  the  aforementioned, — make  an  almost  In- 
tolerable Burden,  for  a Town  so  thinly  Inhabited  to  bear,  and 
what  still  adds  to  it.  we  have  never  been  able  to  make  a bridge 
cross  the  Piscataquog  of  but  few  years  Duration,  and  as  their  is 
an  absolute  and  Imediate  Necessitv  of  rebuilding  s*^  Bridges, 
and  we  are  not  able  to  go  to  the  expence  of  Stone  piers  & But- 
ments  (which  we  find  necessarv.)  vour  Petitioners  humbly  Pray 
thev  mav  be  Indulged  with  the  Benefit  of  a Lotterv  To  raise 
Two  Thousand  five  hundred  Dollars  which  will  Enable  them 
to  build  Sutable  & Durable  Bridges  in  such  Places  as  shall  be 


GOFFSTOWN. 


33 


most  convenient,  an  Beneficial  to  the  Publick,  as  the  moneys 
raised  by  said  Lottery  will  be  apply^  to  so  Necessary  & Im- 
portant a Purpose — We  doubt  not  of  a Speedy  Sale  of  the 
Tickets,  by  which  we  shall  be  Imediatly  enabled  to  enter  on 
this  great  work — 

And  your  Petetioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  Pray  — 


James  Eaton 
David  Gregory 
David  Richards 
John  Bell 
Robert  Spear 
John  Dinsmoor 
Sam’^  IVPF arland 
Robert  m^Calley 
nethen  towle 
Joseph  Buswell 
David  Stevens  ju 
John  Patee 
Will™  Rogers 
Sam^^  Richards 
Job  Dow 
tho®  Stevens 
John  Little 
John  Creaig 


Stephen  Tuttle 
John  Monahan 
Robert  Gilman 
Ebenezer  wood 
James  Shirla 
David  M'^Cluer 
George  Addison 
Sam^  Kennedy 
George  Little 
John  Buswell 
EbeiP  Costar 
Benjamin  stevens 
magnes  Burke 
moses  Little 
David  Hale 
Jacob  Stevens 
John  Butterfield 
Philip  Ferren 


Jonathan  Bell 
Samel  Karr 
William  Bell 
Jonathan  Wood 
Alex*'  Gilcrest 
Tho®  Miller 
Rob^  Kannedy 
wilimen  herenton 
Caleb  Little 
Timothy  Stevens 
Sam^^  Blodget 
Enoch  Sawyer 
Joseph  Little 
James  Clement 
Peter  Butterfield 
Eben*"  Coster 
Nathaniel  Stevens 
Ebenezer  Ferren 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  26,  1778,  petitioners  granted  leave 
to  bring  in  a bill  for  said  purpose. — Ed.] 


[4-120]  \^Petition  for  the  Privilege  of  se7id mg  a Repre- 
se7itative  without  bemg  Classed  with  Derryfeldi\ 

To  the  Honourable  Council  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Good  peopel  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  Conveaned  at 
Exeter  &c. 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Goffstown  when  in  Town 
meeting  assembled, — your  petitioners  beg  leave  once  more  to 
remind  your  Honours,  that  they  have  for  three  or  four  years 
past,  contrary  to  their  wish  & will,  been  coupled  with  Derry- 
field,  by  the  precept  sent  them  by  your  Honours  for  the  choice 
of  a Representative,  altlP  your  petitioners  have  repeatedly 
beg’d  the  favour  of  your  Honours,  that  a precept  might  be  sent 
them  Independant  of  any  Town  whatever,  which  they  Humbly 
conceive  they  have  an  Undoubted  right  to  as  well  as  any  other 
Towns  in  Similer  Circumstances  with  Goffstown  ; which  con- 
sists of  near  One  Hundred  & fifty  families  ; when  at  the  same 

5 


34 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


time,  we  would  observe  to  your  Honours,  that  their  is  noless 
then  Nineteen  Towns  in  this  State,  & all  less  in  Numbers  as  to 
their  Inhabitents,  then  Goffstown,  & Yet,  have  precepts  sent  to 
Each  of  them.  Independant  of  any  Towns  whatever  ; and  some 
of  them  have  litle  more  than  half  our  Numbers  : surelv  this  is 
worthy  of  vour  Honours  consideration,  as  well  as  the  attention 
of  your  petitioners  who  must  be  void  of  fealing  at  this  day.  If 
not  tenatious  of  their  Natural  Rights  and  liberties  ; are  we  not 
Spending  our  Blood  and  Treasure  in  defence  of  them  against 
Create  Brittan,  and  was  not  Taxation  without  a full  and  free 
Representation  a pearte  of  the  dispute.  Surely  it  was.  and  can 
Goffstown  be  said  to  have  a full  and  free  Representation  when 
compeled  to  Joyn  with  a nother  Town  and  contrary  to  their 
wills  ; we  your  petitioners  do  not  meen  to  call  your  Honours 
authority  in  question,  it  is  our  Just  Rights  we  are  pleading  for, 
which  has  hearetofore  ben  denied  us,  for  we  cannot  conceive 
upon  any  Just  principles  why  any  Town  that  consists  of  150 
families  can  be  denied  a full  and  free  Representation  & Inde- 
pendant of  any  other  town  ; at  least  nothing  has  been  offered  in 
any  of  our  leate  Conventions  to  the  contrary,  it  Seemed  thepre- 
valing  oppinion  theire  was,  that  100  famelies  had  an  undoubt- 
ed Right  to  Send  a Representative  and  we  hope  and  trust  your 
Honours  will  Remain  of  the  same  Oppinion,  and  If  the  Custom 
should  be  contineued  for  Issuing  precepts,  we  trust  and  hope 
your  Honours  will  provide  for  Derryfield  in  som  Other  way,  & 
that  Goffstown  be  allow’d  their  previledge  in  common  with 
Other  towns,  which  to  their  great  mortification,  has  ben  too 
Long  withhild  from  them  ; in  granting  of  which,  your  petition- 
ers in  Duty  bound  will  Ever  pray 

Goffstown  Ocfi  26^^  1779 

at  a legal  meeting  in  Goffstown  hild  this  day  voted  that  Sam^ 
Blodget  Esq*"  present  the  above  petition  to  the  general  Court 
hild  in  Exeter,  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabiters  of  y®  Said  Goffstown 

Alex^’’  Walker  Town  Clark 


[R.  2-19]  \_Docu7uents  relative  to  Soldiers^ 

Goffstown,  febury  y®  4*^  G7^ 

then  Received  of  John  Dunlap  one  Pound  Sixteen  Shillings 
L.  M.  for  carrying  Samuel  Rimecks  from  Goffstown  to  An- 
dover to  be  Doctred  of  his  wounds  he  Received  in  the  Battel  at 
Banintown 


per  me  Thomas  Shirla 


GOFFSTOWN. 


35 


These  certifies  That  Samuel  Remicks  was  a soldier  in  Cap* 
McConnels  Company  in  CoP  Stickneys  Regiment  at  Bening- 
ton  in  1777  and  was  wounded  in  the  Battle  there  last  August 

Robert  Gillmor  Lieut. 

Gofiestown,  Feb’’  3^  i77^ 

[Col.  Thomas  Stickney  certifies  to  the  same. — Ed.} 

[R.  2-20] 

Sept.  S**'  1 780.  This  certifies  that  on  the  first  day  of  March  1 777 
The  Committee  of  Safety  (as  appears  by  their  Journal)  agreed 
to  give  William  Bell  Twenty  Shillings  per  month  over  & above 
his  wages  as  a Soldier  as  a recompence  for  the  time  of  his 
assisting  1ST  Noah  Emery  in  the  Commissary’s  Department 

attest  E.  Thompson  S’"'’ 

[Joshua  Bell,  son  of  William  Bell,  of  Goffstown,  enlisted  in 
1777.  He  was  in  Capt.  Livermore’s  company,  Scammel’s 
regiment,  and  was  discharged  sick,  after  two  years’  service. 
(R.  2-22,  23,  24.)— Ed.] 


[R.  2-24 J2]  \_Col.  Kelley  to  Col.  Stick?tey.~\ 

Gofistown  July  y®  19,  1779. 

Der  Sir 

after  due  Complements  to  you  and  ISIT  Stickney,  I perseve 
that  M*"  Eastman  of  weare  have  inlisted  a man  in  haneker  in 
your  Regiment  by  the  Name  of  Pope  to  do  a tower  of  dute  in 
the  armey  for  said  weare  ’but  Capten  bow^man  Refuses  to  let 
him  go  for  them,  and  the  mater  is  left  to  the  determination  of 
you  and  me  if  you  think  with  me  according  to  the  orders  from 
the  Committee  at  Exeter  april  last,  he  ought  to  be  held  for 
weare  the  inlistment  I think  is  good  and  will  and  ought  to  hold 
him  for  them — 

Sir  I am  with  grat  esteem  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
bel  sarvent 

Moses  Kelley 

To  CoP  Thomas  Stickney  Concord 


[R.  2-21]  [^Relative  to  Joshua  Wilson.,  Soldier.,  ^77y.] 

I Samuel  Richards  of  Goffstown  do  testif}^  and  say  that  I 
Commanded  a Company  at  winterhill  in  the  seryice  of  New 


36 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Hampshire  State,  in  the  Spring  of  the  year  1775,  and  that 
oMoses  Littel  Esq*"  was  then  my  Lieu*  who  Inlisted  Joshua  Wil- 
son in  said  Goffstown  who  stiled  himself  an  Inhabiten  of  the 
same,  and  at  the  Expiration  of  Eight  monts  the  said  Joshua 
Wilson  Reelnlisted  under  me  for  said  State  & for  Twelve 
month  Longer  Still  Calling  him  self  of  said  Goffstown  and  did 
actually  Receive  a Blanket  and  Gun  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
said  Goffstown  together  with  provisions  for  his  march  to  win- 
terhill  previous  to  joyning  my  Company  as  he  Informed  me 
and  further  saith  not 

Samll  Richards 

[Sworn  to  July  10,  1782,  before  Robert  McGregore. — Ed.] 


[4-122]  [ Warrant  for  To'u.'ti-yieethig^  i"/8or\ 

The  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  Goffstown  Qiialli- 
fied  to  Vote  in  Town-meetings  According  to  law,  are  Desired 
to  meet  at  the  Meeting-house  in  Said  town  on  Monday  the  8**^ 
Dav  of  January  Next  at  one  “Clock  after-noon  then  and  there 
to  act  on  the  following  Articles  (Viz)  First  to  Choose  a Mod- 
erator 

3*^  Article  in  Said  Warrant.  To  Know  the  minds  of  the 
Congregationals  (so  calE)  with  Respect  to  the  Presbvterians 
being  set  off  a Distinct  Parish  by  themselves.  4th  Article  and 
whither  they  will  Vote  the  Parsonage  on  the  South  side  of  Pis- 
cataquage  River  to  the  sole  use  of  the  Gospel  in  that  way  they 
the  said  Presbvtereans  Relinquishing  any  Futer  Pretentions  to 
anv  Income  Either  to  themselves  or  to  the  suport  of  the  Gospel 
in  their  way  to  the  Other  Two  Lots  on  the  North  side  of  Pis- 
cataqage  River  Called  the  Parsonage  Lots, — 

Goffstown  Decerff  22^  1780 

Sam*i  Blodget  g , 

Joshua  Martin  J 
Tho®  Shirla  ) i^en 

To  George  Addison  Constable 
Goffstown  January  8**^  1781 

this  may  Certify  the  Inhabitants  of  Goffstown  have  been  Le- 
guallv  Notified  by  Posting  According  to  Law,  George  Addi- 
son Constable  — 

At  a town  meeting  Legually  warned  to  be  held  at  the  meet- 
ing house  in  Goffstown  on  the  Eighth  Day  of  January  1781, 
Voted  Col“  iSIoses  Killy  be  Moderator 

Voted  on  the  Third  Article  of  the  Warrant  that  the  Town 


GOFFSTOWN. 


37 


will  Choose  a Commity  to  Treat  upon  Matters  Raletive  to  Sep- 
erating  Parishes. 

Voted  that  the  Commitee  Consist  of  Six  men,  Voted  Moses 
Kelly,  Sam^^  Robie,  Philip  Clement,  Alex'"  Gilcrest  John  Craig 
and  John  Butterfield,  be  said  Committee  Voted  that  the  4^^ 
Article  in  the  warrant  be  Referred  to  the  Committee  aforsaid 
for  their  Consideration,  and  to  be  laid  before  the  Town  at  their 
Next  Meeting — The  Report  of  the  forsaid  Commitie  made  at 
the  Next  meeting  by  Adjournment  Jan''^  29,  17S1,  is  as  follow- 
eth.  Agreeable  to  a Vote  of  the  Town  at  a meeting  held  at 
the  meeting-house  on  the  Eighth  Instant  Whereby  we  the  sub- 
scribers were  Unanimously  Chosen,  as  a Commitie  to  agree 
upon  a Method  of  Seperating  the  town  into  two  Distinct  Par- 
ishes Beg  leave  to  make  this  Report  of  what  we  have  Done — 

First  it  was  taken  under  Consideration,  whither  it  was  best 
to  seperate  or  Not.  Unanimously  Resolved  in  the  Affirmative. 
Secondly  that  the  two  Parsonage  Lots  on  the  North  side  of 
Piscataquage  River  be  for  the  Congregational  parish,  and  the 
Lot  that  is  on  the  south  side  for  the  Presbyterian  Parish. 
Thirdly  that  the  Presbyterians  Give  up  what  they  Did  to  the 
meeting-house  in  Common  with  Others  to  the  Congregationals 
they  Agreeing  that  when  the  Presbyterians  Shall  think  fit  to 
build  a Meeting-house  in  the  Town  the  said  Congregationals 
will  help  them  to  the  Value  of  one  Qiiarter  part  of  the  frame 
and  Boarding  and  Shingling,  a house  as  Large  as  the  one  that 
is  now  in  the  Town 

Dated  at  Goftstown  January  26,  1781 
Sam'^  Robie  Alex^  Gilcrest  Moses  Kelly 

John  Craig  Philip  Clement  John  Butterfield 

January  29  1781  The  town  met  According  to  Adjournment 
Voted  that  what  was  acted  at  the  Opening  Said  meeting  Rala- 
tive  to  the  third  and  fourth  Article  in  the  warrant  for  Calling 
Said  meeting  was  acted  upon  Agreeable  to  their  minds,  2^ 
Voted  that  the  town  Agree  to  seperate  Parishes  3*^  Voted  that  at 
to  Relinquishing  the  Right  to  the  Parsonage  the  Congregation- 
als act  at  one  End  of  the  meeting-house  and  the  Presbyterrians 
at  the  Other  4*''  Voted  by  the  Presbyterians  that  they  will  Re- 
linquish their  Rights  to  the  Two  Lots  of  the  parsonage  that  is 
on  the  North  side  of  Piscataquage  River,  to  the  Congregation- 
als 5“'  Voted  by  the  Congregationals  that  they  will  Relinquish  all 
their  Rights  to  the  Parsonage  Lot  that  is  on  the  South  side  of 
Piscataquage  River  to  the  Presbyterrians.  Voted  by  the 
Presbyterians  that  they  Will  Give  up  what  they  Did  to  the 
meeting-house  in  Common,  to  the  Congregationals  7*^  Voted 
by  the  Congregationals  that  they  will  Give  to  the  Presbyterians 
(when  they  think  fit  to  build  a meetinghouse  in  the  Town),  the 


38 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Building  of  one  Qiiarter-part  of  a meeting  house  frame  as 
Large  as  the  one  that  is  now  in  the  town  and  the  boarding  and 
Shingling  the  same 

Goffstown  March  26  ; 1781 

A true  Coppey  of  Record  Examined 
attest  P’’  Alex‘S''  Walker  Town  Clark. 


[4-1 21]  \^Petition  relative  to  Church  Affairs^  iy8i.~\ 

State  of  Newhampshire  To  the  IPonourable  The  President, 
and  Members  of  the  Council,  And  House  of  Representatives 
in  General  Court  Assembled,  The  petition  of  us  the  subscrib- 
ers inhabitants  of  Goffstown,  Humbly  Sheweth  That  Your  pe- 
tioners  are  of  Two  Different  presuations  of  Religion  Viz 
Congregationals  and  Presbyterrians,  by  which  many  Disputes 
and  Lawsuits  have  happned  among  us,  much  To  our  Damage, 
and  we  think  it  has  had  a Tendency  to  hinder  the  settlement  of 
the  Gospel  among  us  in  the  Town. 

Therefore  after  Duly  Considering  the  matter  the  Town  has 
Entered  into  this  Resolution,  that  the  Inhabitants  that  are  of 
these  Denominations  Caled  Congregationals  & Presbyterians, 
(as  Above)  may  be  in  two  Distinct  Parishes,  by  the  Names  of 
The  Congregational  Parish,  and  the  Presbyterrian  parish — 

We  pray  Honours  by  Your  Authority  to  Enact  that  Each 
of  these  may  be  Cloathed  with  parish  Powers,  that  they  may 
be  in  a Legual  Capacity,  to  Colect  Taxes  for  the  Support  of 
the  Gospel  among  themselves  And  Your  petitioners  as  in  Duty 
bound  will  Ever  Pray — 

Goffstown  March  22^^  1781 


James  Kitridge 
Sam®^  Karr 
Thos.  Miller 
Enoch  Sawyer 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Juff 

Tho®  Vickere  Vose 
Timothy  Johnson 
George  Little 
Moses  Little 


Jonathan  Bell 
Eben’’  Kitridge 
Abel  wright 
Saiff*  M'^Farland 
Edmund  Sawyer 
Philip  Clement 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Timothy  Stevens 
Thomas  Stevens 
Andrew  Kimball 


Benjamin  Stevens  3*^ 
Robert  Gilcrest 
Nathan  Shed 
James  Eaton 
Simon  tuttle 
Enoch  Page 
John  Little 
Nathaniel  Stvens 
Peter  Butterfield 
Sam^  Robie 
John  Butterfield 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  29.  1781,  petitioners  were  granted 
leave  to  bring  in  a bill  for  the  aforesaid  purpose. — Ed.] 


GOFFSTOWN. 


39 


[4-1 23]  \_Request  relative  to  Managefueitt  of  Town-Meetings 

lyss-'] 

Sir  We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Goffes  Town  being 
Discontent  with  the  manner  of  carrying  on  our  prisent  Annual 
Meeting  for  that  a Considerable  Number  of  the  Men  that  Voted 
were  not  Qiiallified  as  the  Law  Directs  and  when  we  Requested 
the  suposed  Moderator  to  put  the  Vote  to  See  if  the  people 
were  Content  to  have  the  meeting  Carried  on  in  that  manner 
we  were  Denied  the  Request  Likewise  when  we  Desired  you 
as  Town  Clark,  to  open  the  meeting  again  and  Let  the  Voters 
be  Qiiallified  we  ware  Denied  the  priviledge  we  Earnestly  pray 
that  at  the  hour  appointed  this  Day  as  it  is  adjournment  of  the 
Said  meeting,  you  would  open  the  meeting  and  let  the  Voters 
be  Qiiallified  that  our  town  officers  may  be  Legally  Chosen. 

Goffes  Town  march  24  17S3 

Alex‘S*'  Walker  Esq^  Town  Clark 


Philip  Ferren 
Samuel  Sherley 
Jonathan  Stevens 
John  Richardson 
Philip  Clement 
Sam^^  Robie 


Alex‘S'’  Gilcrest 
Tho®  Shirla 
Enoch  Page 
Nathan  Sheed 
Enoch  Sawyer 
James  Eaton 


Will'^  Sawyer 
Moses  Little 
Timothy  Stevens 
John  Little 
John  Craig 
Timothy  Johnson 


A true  Coppey  of  Record  Exemened  atest 

Alex‘S''  Walker  T C 


-[On  another  document  of  the  same  import  and  same 
date,  are  the  following  names  : — Ed.] 

Moses  Kelley  Benjamin  Stevens  Tho®  Vickery  Vose 

Joseph  Buswell  Jur 


[4-124]  \_Deposition  relative  to  Constable^ s Pay.~\ 

The  Deposition  of  Steven  Tuttle  of  Goffstown  of  Lawfull 
age  do  Testify  and  Say  that  on  Monday  the  Twenty  fourth  day 
of  March  in  the  }^ear  17S3  at  the  adjournment  of  the  annual 
meeting  held  in  Said  Goffstown  in  the  State  of  Newhamp*^ 
SanF  Blodget  Esq^  being  the  moderator  of  Said  meeting  a mo- 
tion was  then  made  in  said  meeting  to  give  the  Constables  Ten 
Dollars  pr  year  for  their  Services  your  Deponent  then  objected 
against  the  motion  the  then  moderator  spoke  with  a Loud  au- 
dible voice  in  the  Inglish  Language  and  said  dont  you  Tuttle 


40 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


vote  against  it  for  it  is  not  Likely  that  you  will  be  Called  upon 
to  serve  as  Constable  Soon  ; and  I will  pay  your  parte  of  that 
Tax  and  any  further  your  Deponent  Saith  not 

Stephen  Tuttle 

we  the  Subscribers  do  afferme  that  we  ware  present  at  the 
adjournment  of  the  Said  meeting  and  did  hear  the  moderator 
make  the  proposals  of  paying  the  parte  of  his  the  said  Stephen 
Tuttle  Tax  if  he  would  not  object  against  the  giving  the  Con- 
stables Ten  Dollers  p"^  year  for  there  Services  in  the  office  of 
Constable  p*'  us 

Philip  Clement 
Benja"^  Stevens  juffi 


[4-125]  \_jReturn  of  Ratable  Polls^  7/^j.] 

Persuant  to  a Voate  of  the  asembly  we  have  Number’d  all 
the  Male  Poals  of  Twenty  One  years  of  age  and  Upwards  pay- 
ing for  them  Selves  a Poll  Tax  within  Our  town  acording  to 
the  best  of  Our  Judgment  and  finde  One  Hundred  and  Sixty 
Eight — 

Henerey  Blasdele  ) Selectmen  of 
Joshua  Martan  ( Goffstown 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Hillsborough  ss 

Goffstown  Dec^  the  18:  1783  the  above  named  Henerey 
Blaisdel  & Joshua  Martain  apeard  and  made  to  the  above  by 
them  Signed  befor 

Robert  M^Gregore  Jus*  Peace 


[4-126] 

To  Alex^  Walker  Town  Clerk  of  Goffstown  Sir 


Please  to  Begin  the  Town  Meeting  this  Day  as  Soon  as  may  be 
Conveniantly,  and  let  the  Voters  be  Qualified  in  So  Doing  You 
will  Oblige  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Gofistown  March 


s'*  17S3 

John  Richerson 
timothey  Stephens 
Alix*'  Gilcrest 
William  Sawyer 
Sam*  Robie 
timothey  Johnson 
Nathan  Shed 


Jeams  Eaton 
Bengiman  richerds 
Enoch  Page 
John  Craig 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Philip  Clement 
Joseph  Buswell 


true  Sargent 
Caleb  little 
Moses  Little 
Enoch  Sawyer 
Edmund  Sawyer 
Tho®  Shirla 
Philip  Ferren 


GOFFSTOWN. 


41 


[4—127]  [ Warrant  for  Town- Meetings 

State  of  New  Hamp’"  Hillsborough 

To  mr  Issaches  Ring  one  of  the  Constables  in  Goffes  Town  in 
Said  State  Greeting — 

You  are  hereby  Required  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority 
of  the  good  people  of  Said  State  to  warn  the  Freeholders  and 
other  Inhabitents  Qiiallified  by  Law  to  Vote  in  Town  meetings 
to  meet  at  the  meeting  house  in  Goffes  Town  on  munday  the 
third  Day  of  march  next  at  ten  O Clock  in  the  forenoon  then 
and  their  to  act  on  the  followino:  articles 

I®*  To  Chuse  a moderator  to  Regulate  Said  meeting 

To  Chuse  all  Town  officers  for  the  Insuing  year  as  the 
Law  Directs 

3^^  To  See  if  the  Town  will  allow  the  Select  men  their  ac- 
compts  and  others  that  may  be  brought  before  the  Town 

To  See  if  the  Town  will  Give  the  Constables  their  pole 
Tax  the  year  past 

To  See  if  the  Town  will  Raise  money  for  a School  the 
Insuing  year  and  how  much 

(T  To  See  how  much  money  the  Town  will  Raise  to  Defray 
Town  Charges  the  Insuing  year  and  Likewise  to  Repair  High- 
ways 

To  See  if  the  Town  will  make  aney  adition  to  the  wages 
Set  by  the  town  in  Building  the  new  bridge  accross  the  River 
near  Job  Dows 

To  See  if  the  Town  will  Sell  the  School  Right  or  aney 
part  thereof  to  Suport  a School  in  this  Town  for  which  this 
shall  be  your  Sufficient  warrant 

Given  under  our  hands  and  Seals  at  Goffes  Town  this  fiftinth 
Day  of  Febuary  17S3 

Blasdell 
Kennedv 
James  Eaton 

, A true  Coppey  of  Record  attest 

Alex^*"  Walker  Town  Clark 


Select 

men 


Henry 

SanF 


[4-128]  l^Trotest  against  Action  in  Town- Meetings  /yc^j.] 

We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitence  of  Goffestown  do  hereby 
Enter  our  protest  against  any  thing  that  may  be  Acted  in  A 
Meeting  to  be  holden  in  Said  Goffestown  this  thirteenth  Day  of 
October  AD  17S3  as  the  Warning  is  not  Legal 


42 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Alex^  Gilcrest 
Moses  Little 
Philip  Clemant 


Enoch  Page 
Enoch  Sawyer 
Timothy  Johnson 


Timothy  Stevens 
Moses  Kelly 
Philip  Ferren 

Walker  Town  Clerk 


A true  Coppey  of  Record  attest 

Alex^*" 


[4-129]  [ Trouble  between  the  Congregational  and  Presby- 
terian Parishes^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  & Gentlem*en  of  the  Honour- 
able House  of  Representatives  in  General  Assembly  at  Con- 
cord convened  the  Seventeenth  day  of  December  Anno  Dom  : 

1783— 

The  humble  petition  of  the  several  persons  Inhabitants  of 
Goffstown  in  the  County  of  Hillsboro’  and  State  aforesaid 
whose  names  are  hereunto  set  and  subscribed,  Sheweth, 

That  the  said  Goftstown  consists  of  two  seperate  and  dis- 
tinct Parishes,  one  of  them  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the 
Congregational  Parish,  the  other  the  Presbyterean. 

That  on  the  first  Monday  of  March  in  the  present  year  (the 
day  appointed  by  Charter  to  hold  their  Annual  Meeting)  two 
of  the  Selectmen,  the  Town  Clerk,  and  a few  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants met  (without  having  previously  warned  the  said  last  Par- 
ish) opened  the  Meeting,  and  proceeded  to  choose  a Moderator, 
Town  Clerk  and  Selectmen  by  hand  Votes,  and  here  your  pe- 
titioners beg  leave  to  observe  that  amongst  those  few  who  voted 
several  were  not  quallified  for  that  purpose  according  to  law — 
That  afterwards,  when  the  Inhabitants  were  generally  as- 
sembled at  their  usual  time  of  attending  and  before  the  said 
new  Officers  had  taken  their  several  Oaths  of  Office,  ten  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  said  Town  who  were  qualified  Voters,  moved 
the  Moderator,  to  put  it  to  Vote  by  polling,  to  see  if  the  In- 
habitants then  present  were  content  with  the  transactions  of* 
that  Meeting  or  not,  but  the  Moderator  refused  to  put  it. 

That  a petition  (herewith  exhibited)  was  then  signed  by 
more  than  twenty  of  the  Inhabitants  legual  Voters  and  deliv- 
ered to  the  Clerk  desiring  him  to  open  the  Meeting  again  ; and 
to  let  the  Voters  be  qualified,  but  this  was  also  refused.  We 
then  entrd  a protest  against  the  proceedings  of  the  Meeting,  as 
being  illegual  in  our  opinion  and  amongst  the  rest,  they  had 
Voted  a gratuity  to  the  two  Constables  of  said  Town  of  Ten 
Dollars  each  without  the  least  hint  thereof  in  the  warrant. 


GOFFSTOWN. 


43 


That  the  said  Town  Meeting  being  adjourned  to  the  24  day 
of  the  same  month,  another  petition  was  signed  and  delivered 
to  the  Clerk  to  the  same  purport  as  above  mentioned,  but  the 
same  petition  was  again  rejected  and  the  Clerk  refused  to  de- 
liver it  Back  to  the  petitioners,  but  told  them  they  might  have 
a Copy.  That  they  then  entred  a second  protest  against  said 
Meeting — That  the  said  Selectmen  afterwards  called  another 
Town  Meeting  without  warning  the  said  distinct  Presbyterian 
Parish  and  the  same  was  held  on  Monday  the  13  day  of  Octo- 
ber, where  they  also  voted  to  raise  ^00  Dollars  to  defray  a pre- 
tended Debt  of  said  Town  on  account  of  Beef  and  Rum,  not- 
withstanding a sufficient  Sum  of  money  had  been  voted  & 
assessed  before  that  time  to  answer  the  same — and  your  Peti- 
tioners again,  protested  against  said  Meeting  and  voted  not. 

That  the  said  Selectmen  since  have  called  another  Meeting  for 
the  purpose  of  choosing  a Representative  and  without  warning 
the  said  Presbyterian  Parish  of  said  Choise,  have  elected  a man 
to  represent  them  in  General  Court,  said  Meeting  was  held  on 
Monday  the  8^''  day  of  December  Instant  and  your  Petitioners 
entered  a protest  against  said  Meeting  and  Voted  not. 

Therefore  your  Petitioners  have  taken  the  liberty  of  laying 
before  your  Honours  the  Difficulties  they  labour  under,  and 
shewing  how  hard  they  have  struggled  in  a legual  way  in  De- 
fence of  their  Rights  and  Privi ledges. 

We  petitioned  the  Commitee  of  Safety  as  early  as  April  but 
without  effect.  The  same  petition  was  preferred  to  the  Hon- 
ourable Council  and  House  of  Representatives  at  their  June 
Session  but  without  its  desired  effect—^ 

afterwards  we  petitioned  the  same  Honourable  Court  in  Oc- 
tober w'hen  a day  of  hearing  was  appointed  and  an  Order  of 
Court  given  thereon,  but  before  the  day  commenced  the  said 
Court  desolved  yet  as  the  matters  of  Complaint  are  still  in- 
creasing, and  as  your  petitioners  & others  are  obliged  to  submit 
to  a party,  headed  by  some  person  full  of  Craft,  Cunning  & 
Design  Your  Petitioners  humbly  hope  that  your  Honours  will 
be  pleased  to  interpose  in  their  behalf  in  this  day  and  that  the 
said  petition  and  papers  belonging  thereto  which  is  now  in  the 
Office  together  with  this  petition  be  taken  into  your  wise  con- 
sideration and  that  all  the  said  arbitrary  Proceedings  may  be 
declared  null  & void,  or  give  such  other  remedy,  as  to  you  in 
your  great  wisdom  shall  seem  most  meet,  and  Your  Honours 
petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 


Ja®  Pike 
Caleb  Little 
George  Poor 
Timothy  Wells 


Tho®  Vickere  Vose 
John  Smith 
Edmund  Sawver 
Samuel  Smith 


John  Richardson 
Nathan  Shed 
Samuel  Eaton 
Edward  Wood 


44 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Timothy  Silver 
Joseph  Little 
George  Little 
Sam^  Boyd 
Thomas  Stevens 
Sam^  Robie 
Enoch  Sawyer 
Philip  Ferren 
Moses  Little 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Benjamin  Stevens 
James  Eaton  Jun*" 


Ebenezer  Wood 
John  Buswell 
Jonathan  Bell 
Nath  Clark 
David  Hale  Ju 
Tho®  Shirla 
Joseph  Buswell 
Enoch  Page 
Philip  Clement 
Matthew  Richard- 
son 

Timothy  Kimbeall 


Timothy  Stevens 
John  Little 
John  Butterfield 
Peter  Butterfield 
Alexander  Gilcrest 
John  Craig 
James  Eaton 
Timothy  Johnson 
Benj'^  Stevens  Jun"^ 
John  ONeill 
Wood  Clark 


We  whose  names  are  underwritten  beg  leave  to  inform  Your 
Honours,  that  we  signed  a petition  to  the  Honourable  Court 
that  was  met  at  Concord  last  June,  certifying  our  contentment 
with  the  transactions  of  our  last  annual  meeting,  being  urged 
thereto  by  designing  men  but  on  further  consideration  of  the 
matter  and  seeing  the  managments  of  the  Town  Officers  since 
that  time  now  pray  your  Honours  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the 
within  petition 

Ebenezer  Hadley  Ephraim  Wright  Thomas  Guy 

David  Hale  Prince  Johonnet 


[On  another  petition  of  the  same  import,  dated  Oct.  28, 
1783,  are  the  following  names  : — Ed.] 


Ensign  Chubuck 
John  Bassett 
Jonas  Farmer 
William  Moor 
John  Smith 
Joseph  Sargent 
Jonathan  Wood 


Seth  Wyman 
Lot  Little 
Charles  Sergeant 
Joseph  Davis 
Jn®  O Neil 
Philip  Jones 
William  Story 


John  George 
Benja  Richards 
David  M'^Cleary 
Moses  Kelly 
Tru  Sargent 
Moses  Page 


[4-130]  \_P?'otest  against  Proceedings  of  Town- Meeting. 
Goffes  Town  March  y®  3 17S3 

To  Alex*^*"  Walker  Town  Clerk  we  the  Subscribers  do  hereby 
Enter  our  protest  against  the  proseeding  of  this  meeting  as  the 
Said  meeting  appears  to  be  Illegal  and  pray  that  the  Same  may 
be  Entered  in  the  Town  Book 

Caleb  Little  Nathan  Shed  Joseph  Buswell 

Sam^^  Eaton  Timothy  Stepens  John  Little 


GOFFSTOWN. 


45 


Alex‘S''  Gilcrest 
Tho®  Shirla 
Enoch  Page 
Sam^^  Robie 


John  Creaig 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Timothy  Johnson 
Philip  Clament 


Moses  Little 
Philip  Ferren 
Enoch  Sawyer 


A true  Coppey  of  Record  p^ 

Alex‘S*'  Walker  Town  Clark 


C4-134] 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  in  Goffes  Town  on  monday  the 
third  Day  of  march  17S3 

Voted  that  the  Town  allow  Each  Constable  Ten  Dollars  for 
their  Services  this  year  Exclusive  of  their  perquesets 

A true  Coppey  of  Record  attest 

Alex'^'’  Walker  Town  Clerk 

At  a meeting  held  in  Gofles  Town  on  monday  the  thirteenth 
Day  of  October  1 783 

Voted  that  there  be  two  Hundred  and  ten  pounds  Raised  to 
Discharge  the  Towns  Debts 

A true  Coppey  of  Record  attest 

Alex'^''  Walker  Town  Clark 


[4-136]  \_Petltion  to  have  the  Line  between  Goffstown  and 
New  Boston  established^  lyS'j 

State  of  Newhampshire 

To  the  hoiP^®  the  Senate  & house  of  Representatives  for  S*^ 

State 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  the  Line  between  Newboston  & Goffstown  has  not  been 
run  or  perambulated  for  many  years,  before  last  year  & it  was 
then  run  by  Judge  Page  of  Dunbarton  who  was  mutually 
Chosen  by  both  Towns,  this  Line  was  not  agreable  to  some  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  New  Boston,  and  it  was  since  run  by  Sur- 
veyors belonging  to  S^^  Newboston  & Goffstown,  with  this  Line 
some  of  the  Inhabitants  of  S'^  Goffs  Town  were  much  dissatis- 
fied because  it  took  off  almost  one  whole  Range  of  Lotts  from 
S*^  Goffs  Town,  upon  the  Northwest  Corner,  the  Inhabitants  of 
S*^  Goffs  town  in  Town  Meeting  rejected  the  Line  as  it  was  then 
run,  & by  a Committee  of  S*^  Goffstown  requested  Newboston 
that  S^  Line  might  be  run  by  Indifferent  Surveyors  belonging 
to  Neither  of  S^  Towns  & the  S*^  Town  of  Goffs  Town  agreed 


46 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


to  abide  the  Determination  of  Surveyors,  but  this  the  Town 
of  Newboston  hath  absolutely  refused,  we  therefore  pray  that  a 
Committee  may  be  appointed  by  the  hon'^^®  Court  to  perambu- 
late & establish  Said  Line  between  Said  Towns  aforesaid  as 
soon  as  Conveniently  may  be  at  the  Joint  Cost  of  both  Towns 
& your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  prav 
Sept*'  A.  D.  1787 


Thos.  Shirla 
John  Page 


^ Selectmen 
>-  for 

) Goffstown 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  February  6,  1788,  a committee,  con- 
sisting of  Jeremiah  Page  of  Dunbarton  and  Daniel  Camp- 
bell of  Amherst,  was  appointed  to  perambulate  and  estab- 
lish a li  ne  between  the  two  towns,  and  report  at  the  next 
session.  They  reported,  and  the  report  was  referred  to  a 
committee,  who  advised  that  the  matter  be  referred  back 
to  the  first  committee,  and  Aaron  Greeley  was  added  to  it. 
Report  not  found. — Ed,] 


[ Goffstovj7i  Men  lit  First  N.  H.  Regime7tti\ 

[Samuel  Davis,  entered  July,  1777,  discharged  Dec.,  1781* 
Joseph  Hadley,  enlisted  Jan.  i,  1777,  discharged  Sept.  2> 
1779. 

William  Kemp,  entered  Jan.  4,  1777,  discharged  Sept.  6, 
1777. 

Reuben  Kidder,  entered  Feb.  27,  1781,  discharged  1781. 
Samuel  Smith,  entered  Jan.  20,  1777,  discharged  Dec., 
1781. 

William  Thompson,  entered  May  7,  1781,  discharged 
June  7,  1781. — Ed.] 


GOSHEN. 

This  town  was  formed  from  portions  of  Fishersfield 
(Newbury),  Wendell  (Sunapee),  Newport,  Unity,  and  Demp- 
ster, and  incorporated  December  27,  1791. 

The  act  of  incorporation  provided  that  the  inhabitants  of 
the  portion  taken  from  Dempster  should  continue  to  pay 
ministerial  taxes  to  the  support  of  the  Rev.  Elias  Eisher, 
and  did  so  until  said  provision  was  repealed,  Dec.  8,  1796. 


GOSHEN. 


47 


By  an  act  approved  June  22,  1797^  the  boundary  lines  of 
the  town  were  established,  and  the  same  were  in  part 
changed  June  17,  1806. 

A tract  of  land  was  severed  from  Unity,  and  annexed  to 
Goshen,  July  6,  1837. 

The  portion  of  the  town  taken  from  Sunapee  was  first 
settled  in  1769,  by  Capt,  Benjamin  Rand,  William  Lang, 
and  Daniel  Grindle. 

Why  the  Bible  name  Goshen  was  given  to  the  town  is 
unknown  to  the  editor. 


[4-139]  \^Rev.  Elias  Fisher's  Certijicatei^ 

Lempster  Sep’’  14,  1796- 

this  may  certify  that  if  in  case  the  Town  of  Lempster  see 
cause  to  give  their  consent  that  the  People  in  that  part  of  Go- 
shen which  was  taken  from  Lempster  should  not  be  holden  to 
pay  any  part  of  my  Salary  After  the  present  Year,  that  I will 
not  exact  of  Town  any  Augmentation  of  my  Salary  on  Ac- 
count of  the  increas  of  list  on  S*^  Inhabitants — 

Elias  Fisher 

The  Above  is  a true  copy  of  an  Original  certificate  lodged  in 
the  Town  clerks  Office  (Lempster) 

Attest  James  Bingham  Town  Clerk 


[4-140]  \^Petition  for  Reliej' fro77i  paying  Ministerial  Taxes 

hi  Te77ipster.~\ 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  to  be 
Convened  at  Concord  in  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  on  the 
fourth  Wednesday  of  Nov*"  Instant — 

We  your  Petitioners  Humbly  Sheweth 

As  their  is  a Clause  in  an  Act  Entitled  an  Act  to  Incorporate 
a Town  by  the  Name  of  Goshen  Empowering  the  Selectmen 
of  Lempster  to  Assess  the  Inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Goshen 
that  formerly  belonged  to  the  Town  of  Lempster  towards  the 
Support  of  the  Reverend  M*"  Fisher  so  long  as  he  shall  remain 
the  Minister  of  said  Lempster  and  empowering  the  Collector  of 
said  Lempster  to  Collect  said  Taxes  as  though  said  Act  of  In- 
corporation had  not  been  passed — 

We  your  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Goshen  (for- 


48 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


merly  Lempster)  being  Taxed  in  both  Towns  towards  the  sup- 
port of  the  Ministry  makes  it  very  Burdensom  and  having  ob- 
tained the  Consent  of  the  Town  of  Lemster  Humbly  Pray  that 
the  Said  Clause  in  Said  Act  may  be  Repealed  (and  your  peti- 
tioners have  all  the  priviledges  and  Immunities  that  any  other 
Towns  Do  Enjoy)  or  otherwise  as  }^our  Honours  in  your  Wis- 
dom Seem  meet  And  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall 
ever  pray 

Goshen  November  y®  ^79^ 


John  Tomson 
Micah  Morse 
Reuben  Willey 
James  Philbrook 


Calvin  Bingham 
W'"  Story 
Daniel  marston 
Silas  Smith 


Allen  Willey 
Hez^'  Emerson 
Nathan  Willey 
Na*  Beckwith 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  December  8,  1797,  the  aforesaid  clause 
in  the  act  of  incorporation  was  repealed. — Ed.] 


[4-138]  [ V^ote  of  Le?npster  relative  to  Mhtisterial  Taxes 

paid  by  Gosken.~\ 

Town  Clerks  Office  Lempster 

At  a legal  Town  meeting  held  in  Lempster  on  the  first  mon- 
day  of  Nov^  AD  1796 — 

On  reading  and  considering  a Petition  from  the  Inhabitants 
of  Goshen — Voted  that  in  case  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of 
Goshen  which  was  taken  from  Lempster  will  punctually  pay 
up  all  the  taxes  now  made  up  Against  them  for  the  payment  of 
the  Rev^  M*"  Fishers  Salary,  the  Town  will  release  them  from 
paying  any  part  of  S*^  Salary  in  future 

The  above  is  a true  copy  taken  from  the  Town  Book  of  Rec- 
ord of  S*^  Lempster.  Attest 

James  Bingham  Town  Clerk — 


GRAFTON. 

The  township  was  granted  August  14,  1761,  to  Ephraim 
Shearman  and  others,  and  named  in  honor  of  an  English 
nobleman. 

This  grant  was  surrendered  by  a vote  of  the  grantees,  De- 
cember 27,  1762,  and  the  township  was  regranted  Septem- 
ber 12,  1769,  to  Josiah  Willard  and  others,  many  of  whom 
were  from  towns  in  Cheshire  county. 


GRAFTON. 


49 


The  first  settlement  was  made  in  1772  by  Capt.  Joseph 
Hoyt,  of  Poplin,  now  Fremont.  Capt.  Alexander  Pixley 
and  family  settled  soon  after. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  legislature  November 
II,  1778,  in  answer  to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants, 
Daniel  Sanders  being  authorized  to  call  the  first  meeting. 

An  act  relative  to  the  boundaries  was  passed  March  28, 
1781,  and  one  establishing  the  same  was  approved  June  18, 
1802.  See  Vol.  XI,  page  726. 

A fine  quality  of  mica  has  been  mined  in  this  town  for 
many  years,  and  excellent  specimens  of  beryl  are  occasion- 
ally found. 


[3-142]  \^Petition  for  l7icorporatio7i^  etc.^  ^777*] 

the 

Grafton  May  9 AD  1777 

Plon  gentlemen  of  the  general  Asembley  in  the  State  of  New 
Hamsheir  Wee  take  this  Opertunytv  to  in  form  your  onners 
that  you  Demand  More  of  us  then  Wee  are  Able  to  perform  for 
you  Require  of  us  a valiation  of  our  Ratibel  Estates  Which  val- 
iation  must  Bee  taken  By  our  seleck  men  Which  Your  Hon- 
ners  Never  Empowred  us  to  Chuse  And  Wee  your  humble  pe- 
titioners Do  pray  that  your  honours  Will  autherise  and  grant  us 
Liberty  to  Chuse  our  select  ISlen  : and  incorporate  us : and 
Chuse  a gestes  of  the  Pees  for  us  in  the  town  and  We  take  Leave 
to  Nominate  Capt  Aaron  Barney  to  Be  the  man  ; and  then 
W ee  Will  Com  in  town  order:  and  then  We  Will  give  vour 
onners  iV  true  Estamation  and  one  faviour  more  Wee  ash  of 
yours  honours  that  is  to  have  A privilegs  to  Leve  a Part  of  our 
tax  upon  the  Wild  Land  if  Your  Honners  see  Cause  to  tax  us 
and  the  Reason  Wee  give  for  that  is  this  there  is  Men  that  has 
a grade  Dele  of  Land  in  our  town  Which  Lives  out  of  this 
state  and  they  Will  not  Due  any  Duty  on  the  Rodes  Except 
Wee  mak  their  Wild  Lands  Do  it  and  our  Rodes  are  very  Bad 
and  Wont  a gradel  of  Work  Don  on  them  And  We  pray  your 
Plonners  to  take  this  in  to  Consideration  and  the  Bonus  of  our 
town  is  as  follers  Be  ginning  at  the  North  West  Corner  A hem 
Lock  tree  and  then  Running  south  sixty  five  Degrees  Est  six 
miles  and  half  a mild  to  a Burch  tree  IMarked  J B With  stones 
Round  it  from  thence  south  thur  ty  six  Degrees  West  five  miles 
and  A half  mile  to  a Burch  that  is  Marked  J B from  thence 
Running  North  seventy  two  Degrees  West  six  miles  and  a half 
a mild  and  from  thence  North  Eleven  Degrees  West  three  hun- 
dred and  Eighty  three  Rods  to  a .small  Beech  With  stones 
6 


50 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Round  it  from  thence  North  fourty  three  Degfrees  Est  five  miles 
and  half  mild  to  the  hemlock  that  Wee  Bee  gun  at : and  there 
is  A gore  of  Land  that  Lise  ginning  to  our  town  Betvvene  the 
Petten  Line  and  our  town  and  there  is  two  famelies  on  it  and 
they  Desire  to  gine  With  our  town  if  your  onners  see  fit 

And  We  Bege  that  your  onners  Wold  take  this  in  to  Consia- 
tion  and  grant  us  oui  Pertision  and  Put  us  in  order  that  We 
may  Do  our  Bisenes  in  our  one  town  And  Where  in  Wee  have 
mised  it  W^ee  Bage  that  your  onners  Wold  for  give  us  for  it  is 
thrue  our  Ignorence  and  We  Bage  that  your  onners  Will  De- 
rect  us  to  Do  Better  for  the  futer  and  We  here  from  other  towns 
that  Wee  in  these  Newtowns  shall  Never  have  the  privileg  of 
Chusing  a Representatives  and  We  Wont  to  now  Whether  it 
shall  Be  so  or  not  and  We  hope  your  honours  Will  send  us  Bak 
Word  By  the  man  that  Brings  this  pertision  to  your  Honners 
as  sone  as  our  Pertision  may  Be  grantted — for  Wee  Ecknowleg 
ourselves  to  Be  under  the  laws  and  Derecktions  of  your  On- 
nors  sonomore 

But  We  remain  yours  to  sarve 


Aaron  Barney 
Charles  Aldrich 
Jonathan  Nickles 
Hezekiah  Bullock 
Nathan  Aldrich 
Oliver  Williams 
Nathaniel  Andrew 


Jabez  Bosworth  B< 
ney 

Russel  Mason 
Israel  Winchester 
Peck 

William  Aldrich 
William  Williams 


- Josep  Hamelton 
Jonatha  Buftum 
Matthew  Peck 
Daniel  King 
Abraham  aldrich 
Jeremiah  Williams 
Christopher  Smith 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  6,  1777,  a hearing  was  ordered  for 
next  session.  See  next  document. — Ed.] 


[4-141]  \^Petition  for  Incorporation^  1^78 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  HoiP^®  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  Said 
State  of  New  Hampshire  In  General  Assembly  Convened  at 
Exeter  Nov*"  5*^  i77^* 

Humbly  Sheweth  Daniel  Sanders  of  Grafton  in  the  County 
of  Grafton  in  Said  State  as  agent  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  In- 
habitants of  Said  Township  of  Grafton That  the  Said  In- 

habitants Labour  Lender  many  Difficulties,  Particularly  that  of 
Assessing  & Collecting  Taxes  on  the  Inhabitants  & Nonresi- 
dent Proprietors  of  Said  Township,  by  reason  of  their  not  be- 
ing hitherto  Incorporated  into  a body  Politick  & Corporate, 


GRAFTON. 


51 


with  Such  Powers  and  Priviledges  as  other  Towns  in  Said 
State  have  & Enjoy — 

Wherefore  the  Said  Daniel  in  behalf  of  the  Said  Inhabitants 
(whose  names  are  also  hereto  Affixed)  Humbly  Prays  that  this 
hon*^^®  Court  will  Consider  their  Case  and  Pass  an  Act  to  Incor- 
porate the  Said  Township  of  Grafton  into  a Body  Politick  & 
Corporate  with  Such  Powers  Priviledges  and  Immunities  as 
other  Incorporated  Towns  in  Said  State  have  & Enjoy — And 
Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  Pray  &c — 
Grafton  October  15^'^  i77^* 

Daniel  Sanders  in  behalf  of 


Benjamin  Bullock 
Charles  D®Marain- 
ville 

Jabez  Barney 
Samuel  Bra  ley 
William  Williams 
Joshua  Caswell 
Oliver  Williams 
Nathan  Aldrich 
Matthew  Peck 


Christopher  Smith 
Aaron  Barney 
John  D®Marainville 
Abraham  Aldrich 
Perez  Mason 
Seth  Martin 
Charles  Aldrich 
William  Bowmen 
Abial  Knapp 
Daniel  King 


Jonathan  Butlum 
John  Clark 
Zurel  Haskell 
Jonathan  Nickels 
John  Johnson  Jun*' 
William  Aldrich 
Hezekiah  Bullock 
Nathaniel  Mason 
James  Sanders 


[The  town  was  incorporated  by  an  act  passed  November 
II,  1778. — Ed.] 


[4-143]  \^Petition  I'elative  to  Taxes^  etc.^  ^77^*] 

State  of  Newhampshire  Grafton  : ss  : 

The  humble  Petition  of  The  Town  of  Grafton  To  the  Hon- 
ourable Councill  And  Jentleman  of  the  house  of  Representa- 
tives Humbly  Sheweth  That  we  Labour  under  low  Circum- 
stances & we  Pray  your  Honours  to  take  hour  Petition  under 
Your  wise  Consideration  And  Make  an  abatement  in  our  taxes 
as  You  in  your  wisdom  May  think  Proper  our  Condition  is 
Such  we  humbly  Concieve  That  if  we  Should  bee  obliged  to 
Pay  the  tax  thats  Proposined  on  us  and  that  we  Expect  to  fol- 
low it  would  Reduce  the  Most  of  us  to  be  a Specttickle  of  Pitty 
to  All  human  Cretures  a Great  Part  of  hour  People  Came  in 
to  this  Wilderness  in  Such  dificult  times  that  it  has  all  most 
Redused  Them  to  Nothing:  But  familvs  of  Small  Children  We 

O 

have  not  above  three  familvs  in  town  that  Ever  Raised  their 

ft/ 

Bred  Corn  and  in  other  Nessarys  we  have  Skarse  any  that  will 
Raise  any  thing  to  Spare  to  Purchase  Such  Nesasarys  as  they 
must  have  to  Keep  their  familys  from  Suffering  and  our  town  is 
Two  Thousand  acres  of  Land  less  then  our  Charter  Contains 


52 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


and  Sence  our  town  was  incorporated  there  is  a Considerable 
tract  of  Land  and  Some  People  on  it  that  we  Cant  tax  though 
they  were  Recond  with  us  Before  we  humbly  Pray  your  hon- 
ours to  due  what  You  in  your  wisdom  thinks  Just  as  Your 
bumble  Petitioners  in  duty  bound  Shall  Ever  Pray  &c 
Grafton  July  y®  27  AD  1779 

Jabez  Boz‘*^  Barney  Town  Clerk 
By  order  of  the  Town  att  A Legal  Meating 


[4-1 /)_[.]  S^yustice  of  the  Peace  elected^  ^7/P*] 

Colo.  Timothev  Walker  Sir  this  is  to  Sartifv  that  At  a legal 
Meating  of  the  Inhabetants  of  the  town  of  Grafton  At  Legally 
wariP  for  that  Purpose  They  ]SIade  Choice  of  Liut  Daniel  San- 
ders to  be  A Jistes  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Grafton 
Grafton  March  ye  20  AD  1779 

test  Jabez  Boz‘^  Barney  town  Clark 


[R.  2-2^]  \_Account  of  Sei'vice  do?ie  in  the  Revolutionary 

War,'] 

State  of  Xew  Hampshire 

Grafton  December  v®  22  A.  D.  1783 

A List  of  The  Seiwis  Dun  In  the  war  for  said  Town  from  the 
year  1775  untill  Now 

June  9*^  1777  Alarm  at  tye 

1 Capt — 2 Sargents — 3 Privets — i month  i week  i day 

July  V®  20  A D.  1777  at  Benington 

I Lieu‘ — I Sargent — 3 Privets — 8 months  6 days 

On  alarm  at  Ticonteroga 

I Lieif — I Sargent — 4 Privets — 3 weeks 

On  alarm  at  Ticonteroga 

I Cap^ — I Lieu‘ — i Sargent — 19  Privets — 2 years  10  months 

On  alarm  at  The  taking  of  Burgoine 

I Lieu^ — I Pack  hoss — tiravell  of  the  hors  not  paid 

On  alarm  at  Royalton 

1 Cap* — I Lieu* — i Sargent — i Corporal — 18  Privets — 3 Pack 
hoss  7 months — Travell  of  three  horses  416  miles  Recieved 
Know  Pay  for  the  larm 

June  A D 1780  at  cohos 

2 Privets — i year — 4 months 


GRAFTON. 


53 


At  Peekskill  1776 — i Privet  3 months 

At  the  Seders  177 — 61  Privet  3 months.  Lost  articles  to  the 
value  of  J06-i8-io 

On  alarm  1777 — i Lieu*  6 days 

at  Cohos  1776 — I Privet  3 months 

Inhabitants  of  said  Towni  Before  they  came  In  to  s'*  Town 
have  Dun  34  years  9 months  i week  Sarvis  in  other  states 

A True  Coppey  of  the  Officers  of  said  town  and  privets  that 
has  Dun  servis  In  the  other  states 

Russell  Mason  I men 

j for  said  town 

N : B Said  Town  has  had  three  men  has  sarved  three  years 
each  and  one  going  on  his  third  year  in  the  Continantal  Servis 
for  s'*  Town 


[4-145] 

To  the  Hon*'®'*  the  Councel  and  house  of  Representativ'es  in 
gel  a Sembly  Convened  at  Concord  in  and  for  the  State  of 
Newhampshire  in  June  1783  the  humbel  Pertion  of  the  free 
holders  and  othe  in  habetants  of  grafton  in  Said  State  honbly 
Shueth  that  it  is  With  the  gratitis  greef  and  Destress  of  mind 
that  we  are  Constrained  to  Lay  Before  your  honours  the  De- 
plorable and  Shoking  Setuation  of  the  People  of  Said  town  in 
Regard  to  our  wilfair  as  to  this  wirlds  goods,  firstly  We  wold 
humbly  Shew  your  onners  that  about  the  time  of  the  Commins- 
ment  of  the  Late  Wor  this  town  Began  to  Setle  And  as  People 
was  in  Destres  and  Drofe  from  the  old  Setleed  towns  After 
they  had  Lost  a grate  Part  of  their  in  trust  and  fled  here  With 
a very  Small  intrust : and  as  our  Lots  hath  Cast  us  here  and  a 
grater  Part  of  the  People  Remains  Pore  and  Destresed  And 
Being  So  nie  the  front  ters  we  have  Ben  much  Distresed  in  the 
Lorrums  We  have  Ben  at  Sundry  times  all  Cold  for  in  the 
aLorrums  and  So  many  of  our  men  hath  gone  that  We  hath 
Not  Raised  one  half  of  our  Daly  Seport  and  We  have  Ben 
obliged  to  go  a grate  Distance  for  our  Brat  and  then  was  oblig- 
ed to  give  a very  Extragant  Price  and  our  Being  at  a Distance 
from  the  Jenaral  Cort  Never  had  the  Acts  of  that  onnarable 
Court  and  Lately  we  have  Ben  Destrest  By  Extents  from  your 
honners  of  Which  taks  Bil  We  never  was  notyfied  and  as  it  Now 
Stans  : we  humbly  Shue  vour  honners  that  wee  have  Abselute- 
ly  Came  to  A Reselution  to  gite  in  to  Regelation  And  intreet 
your  honners  to  Stav  all  further  Perseedings  until  the  Next  Ses- 
sions of  a Sembly  when  and  where  Wee  your  Pertishanors  Pro- 


54 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


perly  State  the  matter  and  Lay  it  Befour  your  onners  and  also 
take  A valeation  and  Lay  that  Befour  your  onners  : for  your 
wise  Consideration  on  that  mater  As  wee  Look  on  your  onners 
to  be  the  gard  Deens  of  our  Rights  : our  Eivs  are  on  you  for 
Releas  in  this  time  of  Distress  ; And  Releaf  we  Pray  your  on- 
ners to  grant  us  : and  your  Pertishenars  As  in  Duty  Bound  Will 

Eyer  Pray. 

Graftown  June  y®  13  AD  1783 

Signned  in  Behalf  of  the  town 

Russell  Mason  town  Clark 


[4-146]  {^Petition  for  the  Passage  of  an  Act  making  Pro- 
duce^ etc..  Legal  Te?ider for  Debts^ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  &:  House  of  Representatiyes  In 
General  asembly  Conyend  at  Concord  in  & for  the  State  of 
Newhampshire  in  October — 1783 — 

The  Petition  of  the  Freeholders  & other  inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Grafton  Humbly  Sheweth  that  it  is  with  The  Gratest 
Grief  &:  Distress  of  mind  that  we  are  Constrained  to  Lay  before 
your  Honours  the  Deplorable  & Shocking  Situation  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  this  Town  Paper  Currency  So  amediately  Sinking  & the 
Great  Scarcity  of  Cash  almost  None  Surculating  in  this  Part  of 
the  State  that  the  Like  was  Xeyer  Experienced  by  a Free  Peo- 
ple our  Taxes  are  Large  & Xot  Money  in  the  Town  to  Dis- 
charge one  Twentieth  Part  of  the  Tax  & it  Seems  at  Such  an 
innormous  Rate  there  is  Xot  ]Money  to  be  had  to  Pay  Eyen  for 
the  Copy  of  the  Rits  & if  there  is  XotSomthing  Done  we  Shall 
Soon  be  Reduced  to  a State  of  abe'  Begary  therefore  we  Pray 
your  honours  to  Pass  an  act  to  inable  the  People  to  Pay  there 
Debts  without  money  for  we  haye  Property  if  your  honours 
would  in  your  wisdom  Pass  an  act  that  State  Securities  of  any 
of  the  four  Xew  Engfland  States  Shall  be  a Tender  & Stock  & 
any  kind  of  Marchantable  Produce  to  Discharge  Debts  in  order 
to  Stop  Suing  or  to  Pint  out  Some  other  Method  to  Releaye 
your  Distressed  Subjects  as  we  look  on  you  to  be  thee  Gar- 
deens  of  our  Rights  we  as  Loyal  Subjects  ]Men  not  to  Dictate 
nor  Direct  but  meen  to  Let  our  Condition  be  known  Xot  in  the 
Least  Doubting  but  that  your  honours  will  Point  out  Some 
Method  to  Releaye  us  or  we  are  to  all  intents  & Purposes  an 
undone  People  our  Crops  are  Cut  off  more  than  one  halfe  & we 
Desire  your  honours  to  Deal  kindly  with  us  & your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  Bound  will  E\  er  Pray — 

Andrew  Aldrich  | appointed  Committee 
Russell  IMason  j for  S*^  Town 


GRAFTON. 


55 


\_The  followhtg  Docu7tients  are  from  the  “ General  yo7iatJian 
Chase  Papers^  in  Library  of  N.  H.  Historical  Society. 

Grafton  May  12^^  ^777 

Cournnel  Chase  here  is  the  Return  of  the  men  that  is  drafted 
By  me 

Capt  Joseph  Hoyt 

Lieutainant  Seth  Marten  ' Sargent  Perez  Mason 

Sargent  Israel  Wenchester  Peck  Cristerfor  Smith 
Marthew  Peck  Nathan  oldreg  Nathaniel  Mason 

Simun  Bullock  Simun  Wheton  Joseph  Sevey 


Grafton  July  y®  24  A D i777 

Colol  Chase  Sir  here  is  the  Return  of  the  men  that  I have 
Drafted  according  to  your  orders 

by  me  Cap*  Joseph  Hoyt 

Daniel  Sanders  Serg*  Russell  Mason  Simeon  Bullock 
Nathaniel  Mason  thomas  Howard  Martin  Barney 


To  CoP  Jonathan  Chase  S'"  These  certify  that  Nathaniel 
Andrus  of  Grafton  Belonging  to  my  Company  twenty  years  of 
age  five  feet  nine  inches  high  Enlisted  into  the  Continental  Ser- 
vis  for  three  years  in  one  of  the  three  Regiments  of  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire  on  the  3^*  day  of  March  1778  and  also  that 
Alexander  Pigsley  of  said  Grafton  25  years  of  age  5 feet  6 
inches  high  and  Benjamin  Pigsley  of  said  Grafton  21  years  of 
age  5 feet  8 inches  High  Boath  Belonging  to  my  Company — 
Enlisted  into  the  Continental  Servis  in  March  1777  by  Enlisting 
into  Ebenezer  Soper*  Company  belonging  to  a Regiment  in  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  the  CoP  of  which  I have  now  forgot  but  is 
Mentioned  in  one  of  my  former  returns  Made  to  yourself. 
Which  three  Men  Make  up  the  Qiiota  that  was  proportioned 
for  my  Company  to  Raise  of  the  Continental  troops  and  there- 
fore have  not  Raised  any  men  upon  the  last  orders  Sent  to  me 
&c 

from  S''  Your  obedient  Hum'  Sv* 


Grafton  21®*  of  April  1778 


Joseph  Hoyt  Cap* 


Grafton  August  y*^  3 A D 1779 
CoP  Chase  Sir  this  is  the  Return  of  the  Solders  in  my 
Company  thirty  Soldiers  Sklusive  the  ofticers  and  four  in  alaram 
List 


By  me  Cap*  Joseph  Hoyt 


56 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Grafton  July  y®  lo  1780 

Colo  Chase  Sir  I have  inListed  two  men  Daniel  Beean 
and  Robart  Raynold  for  six  months 

Yo  most  humb  Ser* 

Joseph  Hoyt  Cap* 


[ Grafton  Men  drafted^  iy8od\ 

grafton  July  the  Day  1780 

to  the  Honourabel  Jonathan  Chase  Esq  Coif  of  the  Redg- 
ment  of  the  County  of  Graftown  Sir  after  yousing  every  pos- 
abel  Meens  to  inlist  the  three  men  for  three  months  my  aforts 
was  all  in  vain  and  I am  Now  oblidged  to  Draft  and  I hear 
Send  you  Sir  a Return  of  the  three  Drafted  men  viz  Joseph 
Hambelton  Aaron  Barney  and  John  Buftbn  Sir  with  grate 
Respect  I Remain  yours  to  Sarve 

Joseph  Hoyte  Cap“ 

[Capt.  Joseph  Hoyt  was  from  Poplin  (Fremont),  and  was 
the  first  settler  in  town. — Ed.] 


GRANTHAM. 

This  town  was  granted  July  11,1761,  to  John  Kathan 
and  others.  No  settlements  were  made  under  this  grant, 
and  it  was  forfeited. 

It  was  regranted  June  8,  I767>  fo  “ Col.  William  Simms” 
and  others. 

June  23,  1780,  the  westerly  part  of  this  town  and  the 
easterly  part  of  Plainfield  were  erected  into  a parish  for 
parochial  purposes,  which  has  since  been  known  as  Meri- 
den. 

February  5,  1788,  in  answer  to  a petition,  the  name  of 
the  town  was  changed  to  New  Grantham,  and  so  remained 
until  June  12,  1818,  when  it  was  changed  to  Grantham. 

December  2,  1808,  an  act  was  passed  establishing  the 
lines  between  this  town  and  the  towns  of  Cornish  and 
Croydon. 


GRANTHAM. 


57 


By  an  act  passed  January  13,  1837,  a tract  of  land  was 
severed  from  Grantham,  and  annexed  to  Enfield. 

December  25,  1844,  some  territory  was  severed  from  this 
town,  and  annexed  to  Cornish. 

By  an  act  passed  June  25.  1858,  the  gore  between  Gran- 
tham and  Springfield  was  annexed  to  this  town. 

Grantham,  or  New  Grantham  as  it  was  then  called,  was 
one  of  the  towns  which  attempted  to  form  a union  with 
Vermont,  and  was  represented  in  the  convention  at  Cor- 
nish, April  5,  1781,  by  Capt.  Abel  Stevens. 


[4-147]  \_List  fo  Gi'ievances^ 

A List  of  Greavances  complain‘d  of  by  y®  Town  of  New 
Grantham 

I®*  Unequal  Representation.  We  hold  that  every  Body  Poli- 
tick has  an  inherent  right  of  being  Represented  in  General  As- 
sembly and  that  no  power  on  Earth  is  able  to  take  that  power 
from  us  no  more  than  they  have  to  take  away  y®  title  of  our 
Lands  for  y®  same  power  that  gave  us  y®  one  gave  us  y®  Other 
and  y®  one  is  as  assential  as  the  other. 

2nd  when  y®Late  General  Court  was  chose  they  were  chose 
fory®  solepurpseof  actingony®  exegency  ofy®times  and  iny®room 
of  that  they  immediately  set  up  a Lasting  plan  of  Goverment 
Vv^ithout  either  asking  libertv  of  their  Constituents  or  whether 
such  a form  of  Goverment  would  suit  them  or  not  for  we  hold 
that  y®  right  of  instructing  our  Representatives  is  an  assential 
prop  in  Civil  Liberty 

3^^*^  In  the  System  of  Goverment.  We  hold  that  a Council 
is  as  much  the  representatives  of  y®  State  at  Large  as  a Repre- 
sentative is  of  a perticar  Town  and  therefore  ought  to  be  chose 
by  y®  state  at  Large  and  not  have  y®  stat  struck  out  into  De- 
stricts  for  that  purpose. 

^tiiiy  Code  of  Laws  made  on  that  system  are  of  y®  Same 
tenure  of  those  we  have  Revolted  from  and  for  that  reason  we 
are  Spilling  our  Blood  and  treasure  for  nothing 

Signed  in  Behalf  of  y®  Town  of  New  Grantham  Feb.  q*'' 
1777  Abel  Stevens  a Committeman 

for  that  purpose 

[Some  other  towns  sent  in  similar  documents.  See  Vol. 
XI,  p.  23.  These  opinions  led  to  an  attempt  to  unite  with 
Vermont. — Ed.] 


58  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

\_JFrom  Geiz,  Jonathan  Chase’s  Papers  ht  N,  H.  Historical 

Society  Library 

[ Grantham  Pevolutio7iary  Soldiers 

A Muster  and  pay  Roll  of  New  Grantham  men  being  part 
of  Colb  Jonathan  Chase’s  Rigerment  which  Marched  to  Sara- 
toga in  the  sarvice  of  the  United  states  of  America  in  Septem- 
ber 1777 

Abel  Stevens  Cap‘  Jon®  Parkhurst  Ju*"  Priv 

Eben*"  Jene  Sarg*  Jon®  Parkhurst  D® 

Lem*^  Colton  Priv  Jon®  Crow  D® 

Nath^^  Parkhurst 

N.  Grantham  Augusust  2^  ^779 

Sir.  Agreeable  to  Orders  receiv'^  dated  July  i6‘h  1779  I 
have  Enlisted  Lemuel  Colton  for  y®  Rhodeisland  Service  for 
this  Town 

I am  your  humble  SeP  Abel  Stevens  Cap* 

Co^  Jonathan  Chase 

N.  Grantham  August  i779 

Sir.  Pursuant  to  orders  Receiv‘d  Dated  July  22*^  1779  a re- 
turn of  y®  Number  of  men  in  y®  Trained  Band  and  Alarm  List 
in  Cap*  Abel  Stevens  Company 

I Capt  I Se''  14  Rank  and  file  2 alarm  men 

Pr.  Abel  Stevens  Cap* 

Co^  Jonathan  Chase 

N.  Grantham  July  27  1777 

Sir  I have  Inlisted  our  Complement  of  men  agreeable  to  y® 
orders  of  the  23  Instant  their  names  are  Isaac  Jenne  Stephen 
Colton  and  Lemuel  Colton.  But  they  have  receiv‘d  no  Orders 
when  nor  where  to  march 

I am  your  humble  Servant 

Abel  Stevens  Cap* 

To  major  Francis  Smith 


[4-148]  \_Relative  to  Tow7t  Li7iesS\ 

These  may  certify  whom  it  may  Concern  that  Canaan  has 
Served  the  Select  men  of  this  Town  with  the  coppy  of  a Peti- 
tion to  y®  Ho°  y®  General  Court  of  N Hampshire  concerning  y® 
Lines  of  S*^  Canaan 

N Grantham  March  y®  14,  17S1 

Abel  Stevens  ) Select 
James  Jenne  j men 


GRANTHAM. 


59 


[4-149]  \_Inventory  for  1^75  ] 

Inventory  of  the  Poles  and  rateable  Estate  in  the  Township 
of  New  Grantham  for  the  year  1775 

Number  of  Poles  14  — Number  of  horses  5 — Number  of 
oxen  9 — Number  of  Cowes  13 — Number  of  horses  and  cattel 
3 yr  old  2 — Number  of  horses  and  Cattel  2 years  old  4 — Number 
of  horses  and  Cattle  one  years  old  o — Number  of  acres  of 
plowing  and  moing  land  33  — Number  of  acres  paster  Land  o — 
Number  of  Writes  of  wild  Land  66 

The  abov  writs  Prized  by  the  Select  Men  at  ten  pound  a 
write 

The  above  is  a true  Copy  of  the  Inventory  of  the  Poles  and 
Rateable  Estate  of  the  Town  of  New  Grantham  for  the  year 

1775— 

Attest  Abel  Stevens  ) Select 
Elijah  Gleason  j Men 

Cheshire  ss  New  Grantham  June  the  2"^^  Day  1787  Parson- 
aly  apeared  the  above  Named  Abel  Stevens  and  Elijah  Gleson 
and  maid  Solom  oth  to  the  truth  of  y®  above  Inventory  before 
me 

Nathan  Young  Just  Peace 


[4-150]  \^Petition  for  a Parochial  Parish^  i78oh\ 

To  the  hoiP^®  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  convened 
June  17S0 — 

Humbly  Shews 

Benjamin  Giles  Esq*"  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
westerly  part  of  Grantham  and  the  easterly  part  of  Plainfield  in 
the  County  of  Cheshire. 

That  from  local  Circumstances  they  labour  under  great  diffi- 
culties & inconveniences  with  Respect  to  Parochial  Matters, 
which  might  be  removed  if  they  could  be  united  into  a Parish — 
That  the  westerly  part  of  Grantham  is  separated  from  the 
easterly  part  thereof  by  a Ridge  of  very  high  mountains  run- 
ning quite  across  said  Town  so  that  there  is  scarce  a possibility 
of  passing  from  one  to  the  other — That  it  woud  be  much  more 
convenient  for  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Easterly  part  of  Plain- 
field,  in  those  matters,  to  Join  and  be  connected  with  the  west- 
erly part  of  Grantham  than  with  the  other  part  of  said  Plain- 
field — 

That  the  other  Inhabitants  of  said  Towns  are  willing  they 
should  be  separated  from  them  & incorporated  into  a Parish  for 


6o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  Purposes  aforesaid — Wherefore  he  prays  that  they  may  be 
erected  into  a Parish  within  the  following  bounds  beginning  at 
the  North  line  of  Plainfield  three  Miles  & Eighty  Rods  from 
Connecticut  River  thence  running  south  forty  Degrees  West  to 
a beach  Tree  marked  standing  in  the  South  Line  of  said  Plain- 
field  then  Easterly  by  said  Line  & the  South  Line  of  Grantham 
to  the  Top  of  said  Ridge  then  Northerly  by  the  Top  of  said 
Ridge  to  the  North  Line  of  Grantham  then  westerly  by  said 
Line  & the  North  line  of  Plainfield  to  the  place  where  it  began, 
to  have  continuance  & Succession  forever  And  that  they  may 
be  invested  with  the  Power  of  Assessing  levying  & raising 
Money  for  the  Sole  Purpose  of  building  a Meeting  house  & 
keeping  the  Same  in  Repair  & for  Settling  & constantly  main- 
taining a Gospel  Minister  in  the  Same — & that  they  may  be 
liberated  & exempted  from  paying  towards  the  Same  in  other 
part  of  their  Respective  Towns  & as  bound  Shall  pray  &c — 

Benj"  Giles 


[The  parish  asked  for  in  the  foregoing  was  incorporated 
June  23,  1780.  It  has  ever  since  been  known  by  the  name 
of  Meriden. — Ed.] 


[4-15 1 ] \^Petitio7i  to  have  the  Na77ie  of  the  To’W7i  established 

as  New  Gra7itha77i^  I'jSy 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  now 
sitting  at  Charlestown  the  Petition  of  Samuel  Duncan  in  be- 
half of  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Grantham  humbly  shews, 

That  whereas  the  s*^  Township  is  recorded  in  the  Treasurers 
Office  by  the  Name  of  Grantham,  and  the  Inhabitants  of  s^ 
Township  being  settled  under  the  Name  of  New  Grantham  as 
appears  by  the  Charter,  it  makes  it  very  difficult  for  s^  Inhabi- 
tants to  collect  any  Taxes ; the  Warrants  issuing  from  the 
Treasurers  office  in  the  Name  of  Grantham  and  the  Inhabitants 
and  nonresident  Proprietors  holding  their  Title  by  the  Name  of 
New  Grantham,  are  unwilling  to  pay  s*^  Taxes,  and  the  Col- 
lectors do  not  conceive  themselves  sufficiently  authorized  by  s^ 
Warrants  to  dispose  of  their  Land  for  the  Payment  thereof 
your  Petitioner  therefore  prays  your  honours  would  Order  the 
Name  of  said  Township  to  be  altered  in  the  Treasurer’s  Office 
and  that  all  Proceedings  of  s^  Inhabitants  in  consequence  of 
collecting  Taxes  by  Order  of  s*^  Warrants  may  be  established. 

And  your  Petitioner  further  prays  that  said  Inhabitants  may 
have  an  Abatement  of  their  Taxes  in  those  Years  in  which  they 
were  doomed,  they  conceiving  s*^  Doomage  to  be  much  more 


i, 


GREENFIELD. 


6l 


than  their  Proportion  of  Taxes  which  they  are  ready  to  make 
appear  by  their  Lists,  and  also  desires  your  Honours  to  look 
into  the  State  of  the  Fine  laid  on  s"^  Inhabitants  for  neglecting 
to  send  Soldiers,  and  if  it  shall  appear  reasonable,  make  an 
Abatement  of  the  same,  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray — 

Samuel  Duncan 

Charlestown  Sept  20  1787 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted,  as  to  the  name,  Feb. 
5,  1788. — Ed.] 


GREENFIELD. 

This  town  was  incorporated  June  15,  1791,  and  was 
composed  of  portions  of  Society  Land,  Peterborough,  and 
Lyndeborough,  and  land  between  the  two  last  named  towns, 
called  Lyndeborough  Gore.  Daniel  Emerson,  Esq.,  was 
authorized  to  call  the  first  meeting. 

By  an  act  passed  Dec.  28,  1791,  the  boundaries  of  the 
town  were  changed  and  established.  Dec.  ii,  1792,  the 
two  east  ranges  of  lots  of  land  in  Greenfield,  in  that  portion 
which  previous  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town  was  known 
as  Lyndeborough  Addition,  were  annexed  to  Francestown, 
together  with  the  following  inhabitants  : Ithamar  Wood- 
ward, Andrew  Cresey,  Francis  Epes,  Jacob  Dutton,  William 
Draper,  John  Batten,  Isaac  Balch,  Israel  Balch,  and  Rich- 
ard Batten. 

July  4,  1872,  another  portion  of  this  town  was  annexed 
to  Francestown.  A portion  of  the  territory  now  comprised 
in  Greenfield  was  settled  in  1771  by  Major  A.  Whittemore, 
Capt.  Alexander  Parker,  Simeon  Fletcher,  and  others.  It 
has  been  stated  that  the  name  Greenfield  was  given  the 
town  by  Major  Whittemore. 


[4-153]  ]_Petition  of  Simdiy  l7tJiabita7its  to  be  a?i7iexed  to 

jF/'a7icestow7i^  77^2.] 

To  the  honorable  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  Newham pshire  in  General  Court  convened  the 
first  Wednesday  of  June  ADomini  1792 
Humbly  shew 

The  Subscribers  now  living,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Town, 
lately  incorporated,  in  the  County  of  Hillsboro’  in  said  State, 


62 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


by  the  name  of  Greenfield — That  it  is  with  unspeakable  sorrow, 
they  consider  themselves  as  included  within  the  bounds  of  said 
Greenfield,  to  which  they  have  been  uniformly  & decidedly  op- 
posed, since  the  first  movement  with  respect  to  said  Greenfield, 
& with  which  they  never  can  with  any  degree  of  contentment 
be  connected — The  high  opinion  they  entertain  of  the  wisdom 
& integrity  of  the  honorable  General  Court,  convinces  them 
that  their  situations  & dispositions  were  misrepresented  to  the 
Court,  or  they  never  would  have  passed  an  Act,  which  your 
petitioners  consider,  as  totally  disfranchising  them  from  all 
Town  priviledges,  to  which  they  were  before  entitled  in  Lvnde- 
borough.  There  they  had  spent  their  best  days  in  bringing 
forward  the  Town,  building  a meeting  house,  settling  a minis- 
ter & providing  for  the  education  of  their  children,  & flattered 
themselves,  that  under  the  enjoyment  of  our  present  constitu- 
tion, the  second  article,  of  the  bill  of  Rights,  would  have  been 
a sufficient  security  against  their  being  deprived,  of  those  means 
of  happiness  without  their  consent.  & are  so  pained  at  the  Idea 
of  finding  themselves  and  their  posterity  in  a place,  where  the 
greatest  part  of  the  burden,  incident  to  new  Towns,  are  yet  to 
be  submitted  to,  & their  future  prospects  of  ever  enjoying  the 
advantages,  they  once  had  of  the  Gospel — & of  Schools  &c. — 
that  they  are  constrained  to  apply  to  your  honours,  and  with 
the  most  profound  humility,  but  greatest  importunity  supplicate 
the  further  attention  of  the  honorable  General  Court  to  their 
unhappy  situation — With  the  provision  made  for  their  poling 
to  Lyndeboro’,  they  cannot  consider  themselves,  as  properly 
belonging  to  any  towm,  or  entitled  to  priviledges  in  any — With 
Greenfield  they  cannot  join,  with  Lyndeboro’  they  can  claim 
no  rights,  tho’  they  doubt  not  of  a friendly  reception  ; but  do 
not  wish  to  be  viewed  as  interlopers  or  enjoy  priviledges  by 
mere  Courtesy — The  beg  leav^e  to  suggest  to  your  honours,  that 
the  Estates  of  your  petitioners,  all  lay  contiguous  to  each  other, 
& are  not  mixed  with  those  of  any  persons,  who  wish  to  go  a 
different  way.  That  they  are  all  on  the  borders  of  Francestown 
& within  two  or  two  '&  a half  miles  of  Francestown  meeting- 
house  & the  shortest  distance  from  said  lots  to  said  meeting- 
house but  one  mile  & seventy  one  rods,  & a good  road  leading 
thereto — That  they  have  long  attended  public  worship  in  s*^ 
Francestown,  not  only  on  account  of  its  being  the  nearest  & 
most  convenient  for  them  : but  on  account  of  the  minister 
whom  thev  highlv  esteem — & can  be  better  accommodated  with 
Schools  there,  than  in  any  other  place — That  the  distance  from 
the  place,  now  talked  of,  for  holding  public  worship  in  Green- 
field, is  a quarter,  or  a third  further,  from  your  petitioners  & 
the  road  much  worse,  & always  likely  to  be  so,  & the  real 
centre  of  Greenfield  still  more  distant,  and  the  annexing 


GREENFIELD. 


63 


your  petitioners  to  Francestown  will  mend  the  form  of  that 
Towm  without  injuring  that  of  Greenfield — Your  petitioners 
therefore  pray  that  they  may  be  rescued  from  the  bondage  of 
belonging  to  Greenfield,  or  living  within  the  limits  of  it,  & be 
annexed  to  Francestown,  where  they  can  enjoy  priviledges, 
which  they  will  consider,  as  a compensation,  for  those  they 
had  a right  to  in  Lyndeboro’  & on  account  of  local  situation, 
superiour  to  any  they  ever  can  hope  in  Lyndeborough  or  in 
Greenfield — Wherefore  as  your  petitioners  always  have  been 
averse  to  any  connection  with  Greenfield,  as  their  interest,  con- 
venience, inclination,  & local  situation  all  so  stronly  lead  to 
Francestown — as  Greenfield  will  not  be  hurt  in  its  form,  and 
Francestown  will  be  mended  by  our  being  set  from  one  Town 
to  the  other — as  Lyndeborough  have  consented  to  release  us  & 
Francestown  to  receive  us  And  Greenfield  have  no  present 
right  to  us  & will  be  better  able  to  do  without  us  in  all  proba- 
bility hereafter  than  at  present,  we  therefore  beg  your  honours 
to  set  oft'  the  two  east  ranges  of  Lyndeboro’  adition  so  called 
containing  six  lots  from  Greenfield,  annex  them  to  Francestown 
& thereby  deliver  your  petitioners  from  their  present  distress  & 
misery,  and  they  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c 

Ithamar  Woodward  Andrew  Creesey  Francis  Epes 
Jacob  Dutton  Reuben  Kimball  William  Draper 

John  Batten  Isaac  Balch  Israel  Balch 

Richard  Batten 

[The  foregoing  request  was  granted,  and  the  petitioners 
and  their  estates  annexed  to  Francestown  Dec.  ii,  1792. — 
Ed.] 


[4-1^4]  [^Petitlon  fo7'  Annexation  of  so?7ie  Lands  to  Green- 

feld,  1793-'] 

State  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Hillsborough 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  Con- 
vened at  Concord  in  said  State  the  fifth  Day  of  June  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  Ninety  three — 

The  Petition  of  We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Greenfield  in  the  State  & County  aforesaid  Humbly  Sheweth 
that  it  appears  by  the  Charter  of  said  Greenfield  that  the  .South 
Range  of  the  Odione  Right  so  called,  is  divided  nearly  the 
middle,  and  it  being:  much  to  our  Damagfe  to  be  the  outskirts 
of  two  towns — We  therefore  you  Honours  woud  take  into 
consideration  and  annex  the  remaining  part  of  our  Lands  to 


64 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  town  of  Greenfield  the  Bounds  as  follows  besfinnino^  at  the 
Norwest  Corner  of  Greenfield,  thence  bv  the  River  to  the 
North  line  of  the  aforesaid  South  Range,  thence  Easterly  upon 
the  North  side  of  said  Range  as  the  Lines  Runs  to  Frances- 
town  Line,  thence  Southerly  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  Green- 
field on  the  Crotchet  Mountain  so  called — & Your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Samuel  Hixon  Samuel  Butterfield  J.  H.  Eaton 

bengbeew  Whitnee  Jacob  Johnson  William  Willson 
William  Willson  Ephraim  Hildreth  James  Bayley 
JuiP 


GREENLAND. 

This  is  one  of  the  old  towns,  and  was  settled  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  at  which  time  it  belonged 
to  the  town  of  Portsmouth.  John  Farmer  states  that  it 
“was  incorporated  as  a distinct  town  in  1703  but  I cannot 
find  any  mention  of  it  in  the  records  of  the  council  and 
assembly  for  that  year.  The  following  documents  seem  to 
show  conclusively  that  i\Ir.  Farmer  was  mistaken. 

In  May,  1705,  the  inhabitants  petitioned  for  the  privilege 
of  having  a minister  and  schoolmaster  among  themselves, 
and  to  be  exempt  from  paying  towards  the  support  of  the 
church  and  school  at  Portsmouth,  which  was  granted,  and 
Rev.  William  Allen  was  ordained  there  July  15,  1707. 

Greenland  was  assessed  by  the  assessors  of  Portsmouth, 
and  paid  province  rates  in  connection  with  that  town  until 
1721  ; after  that  year  they  were  assessed  by  themselves,  but 
had  no  representative  in  the  assembly  until  the  fall  of  1732. 

Jan.  3,  1716,  the  inhabitants  of  Squamscot  Patent,  living 
on  the  east  side  of  the  “line  running  from  Wall  Creek  to 
Hampton  bounds,”  were  “joined  to  the  Parish  of  Green- 
land.” When  Greenland  became  a town  I am  unable  to 
ascertain.  It  was  called  a parish  in  an  act  passed  in  1757. 

Dec.  18,  1805,  some  land  belonging  to  Brackett  Weeks 
was  severed  from  Stratham  and  annexed  to  this  town  ; and 
on  July  2,  1847,  a tract  belonging  to  Samuel  Hatch  was 
also  taken  from  Stratham  and  annexed  to  Greenland. 

By  an  act  approved  June  23,  1859,  ^^e  divisional  line  be- 
tween this  town  and  Stratham  was  established,  but  said  act 
was  amended  June  27,  i860. 


GREENLAND. 


65 


[4-155]  to  have  the  Boundaries  established^  iyi4.~\ 


To  His  Excellency  Joseph  Dudley  Esq^  Governour  and  Com- 
mander in  Chiefe  of  Her  Majesties  province  of  New  Hamp- 
shir  and  the  Honourable  Her  Majesties  Council  and  House 
of  Representatives  now  Conven‘d  in  General  Assembly 


The  humble  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  parish  of 
Greenland  Humbly  Sheweth, 

That  there  is  great  occasion  for  your  petitioners  to  Know  the 
Bounds  of  their  parish  that  they  may  not  be  Oppressed  by  be- 
ing taxed  as  Some  of  them  is  Said  to  live  in  portsm®  parish  or 
in  Bloody  point  parish  ; but  that  a line  may  be  Run  betwixt 
Greenland  parish  and  Bloody  point  parish  ; but  that  a line 
may  be  Runn  betwixt  Greenland  parish  and  Bloody  point  par- 
ish and  betwixt  portsmouth  parish  & Greenland  parish  that 
Every  Inhabitant  may  know  what  parish  he  properly  belongs 
to.  And  that  Such  persons  as  your  Excellency  and  thes  Hon^*^^® 
Board  may  think  meet  be  appointed  for  doeing  the  Same  ; And 
that  your  Excellency  and  the  General  Assembly  would  be 
pleased  Soe  to  Order  that  your  petitioners  in  Maintaineing  the 
principle  School  and  poor  among  themselves  may  be  Exempted 
from  all  other  Charges  Save  only  the  province  tax,  and  tax  of 
the  assembly  ; all  which  wee  humbly  conceive  to  be  Reason- 
able 

Wee  therefor  most  humbly  Crave  your  Excellency  & their 
Honours  Concurrence  to  these  our  requests,  and  your  petition- 
ers as  in  duty  Bound  shall  pray  &c. 


Jam®  March 
Tho®  Perkins 
Jonathan  weeks 
Joseph  Berey 
William  Haines 
Willa’”  hodg 
Sam'^  Daves 
Tho  : Packer 
Joshua  weeks 
Joseph  weeks 
Sam'^  neal 
nathaniel  watson 


Ebenezer  Johnson 
John  Cate 
Beniamin  Skilen 
Israel  March 
Robart  Goss 
nath^  hugen 
daniel  Alien 
Josh  Peirce 
John  Johnson 
John  Philbrok 
John  neal 

robart  briant  junyer 


Nathan  Johnson 
James  Johnston 
Nathaniell  Berey 
James  Berrey 
matth  hans 
John  briant 
daniel  davses 
Sam’'  weeks 
Sarah  Jackson 
John  Philbrok 
John  Alien 
John  Docom 


[In  council,  May  12,  1714,  Colonel  Waldron,  Mark  Hunk- 
ing.  Speaker  Gerrish,  George  Jaffrey,  John  Downing,  and 
Samuel  Weeks  were  appointed  “ to  ascertaine  the  Limits  of 
the  said  Parishes.”  Bloody  Point  was  named  Newington, 
the  same  day,  by  the  governor.  The  committee  reported, 
7 


66 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


July  28,  1714,  that  “ We  are  of  Opinion  the  Parish  of  New- 
ington be  Bounded  from  the  River  of  Piscataqua  by  the 
Inhabitants  following  viz.  James  Gray  Henry  Bennet  Joseph 
Johnson  Sam^  Tomson  and  Thomas  Pickering  upon  the 
Great  Bay  and  that  these  present  Inhabitants,  with  the 
Lands  and  Estates  they  live  upon  and  whosoever  shall  live 
upon  them  hereafter  or  build  within  the  Limits  aforesaid 
shall  pay  their  parish  taxes  to  Newington.  And  that  the 
parish  of  Greenland  be  bounded  upon  the  Great  Bay  by  the 
ffarm  of  the  widdow  Jackson  Joshua  Pearce  and  Israel 
March  and  soe  to  Packers  bridge,  and  thence  to  Joshua 
Haines  Cates  and  Edward  Ayres  ffarme  and  from  thence 
Southwesterly  to  Hampton  Bounds.”  Signed  by  the  com- 
mittee.— Ed.] 


[4-156] 

At  a parish  meeting  holden  In  greenland  march  y®  15*^  1721 

Voted  Cap^  Samuell  weeks  Cap^  James  Johnson  Cap*  Joshua 
weeks  for  A cometey  to  treate  with  y®  onroabell  Lift““*  goviner 
that  greenland  be  set  of  a destink  parsh  that  w'e  may  have  pour 
to  Rais  our  porposion  of  provance  takexis  within  our  parish 

by  John  Cate  P*"  Clark 

[In  council,  March  21,  1721,  the  petition  was  granted, 
and  a committee  appointed  to  establish  their  proportion  of 
the  province  tax. — Ed.] 


[4-157]  S^Petition  for  Authority  to  elect  a Representative^ 

i73oi\ 

To  his  Excellencie  Jonathan  Belcher  Cap*  Gen*^  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Maj*^®®  Province  of  New- 
hampshire  to  the  Hon**'®  the  Council  & house  of  Representa- 
tivs  Conven’d  in  Gen^*  ass'” — 

The  Humble  Petetion  of  the  Select  men  of  the  parrish  of 
Greenland  most  humbly  Sheweth — That  the  parrish  of  Green- 
land being  set  oft'  a particular  precinct  from  Portsmouth  and 
Since  they  have  been  so  set  oft'  hath  not  had  any  Vote  in  Chus- 
ing  any  assembly  man  : nor  hath  not  any  power  in  their  pre- 
cinct to  Make  Choice  of  any  person  to  Represent  them  in  the 
Gen'*  ass'” 

Therefore  they  humbly  pray  they  may  have  Liberty  and  or- 


GREENLAND. 


67 


ders  to  Chuse  a Proper  person  out  of  their  precinct  to  Repre- 
sent them  att  all  times  in  the  Gen"  ass’"  & your  Petitioners, 
shall  as  in  Duty  Bound  Ever  pray  &c 
x’  the  I*  173*^ — 

Matthias  Haines  ] Select 
Daniel  Lunt  ) men 

Dismissed 


[4-158]  \_Relative  to  Mlnistei'ial  Taxes ^ 7/jp.] 

These  may  Certify  y*  M*"  Thomas  Packer,  M*"  Thomas  Mars- 
ton  & Will'"  Simpson  Are  Clear’^  from  paying  Rates  to  the 
Minister  of  this  Perish  By  atending  devine  Worship  at  the 
Church  in  Portsm" 

And  likewise  Will'"  Jenkins  is  Exempted  being  quaker 

John  Weeks  Perish  Clerk 

Greenland  Febur.  i8‘"  1739/4® 


[4-159]  \_Milita7'y  Officei's  Elected^  ^77 5 


Whereas  we  the  Subscribers  inhabitense  of  gree 
Nland  being  duly  senseble  of  the  Importance  of 
Being  instructed  in  the  militery  art  in  this 
Alarming  cricis  & willing  to  be  taught  the  same  that 
We  may  be  prepared  to  defend  the  liberty s of  our 
Country  which  we  hold  dearer  then  our  lives  and 
Whereas  our  officers  heartu  appoynted 
And  commissioned  by  the  governer  have  been  negle 
Gent  in  larnying  us  the  same  we  have  tharefore 
Thought  fit  to  choose  thomas  berry  captain 
Greeleaf  dark  first  liifi  david  simson  second 
Liifi  thomas  johnson  ensign  we  tharfore  pray  that  the 
Hon"'®  congress  woud  conferm  our  said  choyce  and 
Yure  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 


Greenland  June 

Thomas  Marston 
Th®  Brackett 
Thomas  Nudd 
Joseph  Wiggin 

mark 

Benjamin  X Nud 

his 

Nathaniel  Avery 

his 

Joseph  X thustain 

mark 


> 1775 

Ebenezar  Johnson 
Sen'' 

Thomas  Berry  Ju'' 
Joseph  Cate 
Jeremiah  Holmes 
Nathanael  MarstonJ 
Johnson  Hoore 
Samuel  Nudd 
David  Wiggin 


John  Rawlings 
Noah  Haines 
william  Lucy 
Samuel  Philbrook 
Nathaniel  Marston 3’’'^ 
Jeremiah  mason 

his  mark 

Tho®  X Blaso 
Pike  Burnum 


68 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joshua  Berry 
John  Haines  jr 

Nathan  X Haines 

mark 

Winthrop  Johnson 
Joshua  Johnson 
George  Lang 
David  Johnson 
Matthias  Haines 
John  Folsom 
Joshua  Brackett 
Abraham  Dearborn 


William  Simson  J^ 
Simeon  Norton 
James  Berry 
Samuel  Dearborn 
Thomas  Lang 
Job  Chapman 
John  Philbrook 
William  Berry 
John  Johnson  J*" 
William  pirkins 
John  Johnson 
Nathaniel  Haines 


thomas  dearborn 
Richard  Tarlton 
Samuel  huggens 
Abraham  Johnson 
Joshua  call 
William  Simson 
William  Berry  J*’ 
Benjamin  Norton 
Benjamin  Norton 
Jun”- 

Phinehas  Weeks 


[4-160]  [ Vote  7'elative  to  forming  a State  Gover^iment^ 

777(5.] 

Colony  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  hon'^^®  Council  & House  of  Representatives  lately  ap- 
pointed for  said  Colony — 

At  a legal  full  Meeting  of  us  the  Freeholders  & Inhabitants 
of  Greenland  in  the  County  of  Rockingham,  on  Friday  y® 

Day  of  JaiF  177^5  consider  of  the  Propriety  & Expediency 
of  forming  a new  Government  in  this  Colony — After  mature 
Deliberation  upon  this  very  interesting  & important  Concern, 
We  are  clearly  of  Opinion  that  the  erecting  of  a new  Govern- 
ment in  this  Colony  at  this  critical  moment  is  unnecessary  & 
impolitic,  unnecessary  as  all  the  Business  of  the  Colony  might 
as  eftectually  be  done  in  Congress  as  under  the  present  new 
form  of  Government  and  impolitic  as  it  wears  the  appearance 
of  a permanent  Government  & savours  of  Independance  and 
in  its  Consequences  is  likely  to  prove  detrimental  to  the  glori 
ous  Cause  in  which  all  the  Colonies  are  embarked  and  to  dis- 
arm our  Friends  in  great  Britain  of  the  most  powerful  Weap- 
ons in  our  favor  Wherefore  we  humbly  pray  that  the  hon^^® 
Council  & House  of  Representatives  would  resolve  themselves 
again  into  a Congress  which  was  the  Line  in  which  their  Con- 
stituents expected  they  would  conduct — 

Voted,  unanimously  That  William  Weeks  Esq*'  be  desired  in 
Behalf  of  the  Town  to  present  the  foregoing  Draught 
A true  Copy 

attest : William  Pickering  Clerk 

Po  T. 


[R.  2-26] 

[This  is  a detailed  account  of  Joshua  Haines,  of  Green- 


GREENLAND. 


69 


land,  for  going  to  Billerica,  taking  care  of  and  carrying 
home  one  James  Haines,  a soldier,  amounting  to  He 

was  allowed  ;£8,  15. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-29]  \^Relative  to  Thornas  Packer^  J^">  Soldie7'^  I779'\ 

[In  a petition  dated  “Greenland,  Nov^’  8^^  I779.”  Thomas 
Packer,  Jr.,  states  that  he  “ Engaged  as  a Volunteer  in  the 
expedition  to  Rhode  Island  in  the  Company  Commanded 
by  Cap^  John  Folsom,  in  CoE  Moses  Kelleys  Regiment,” 
was  taken  sick  of  dysentery  and  fever,  wants  the  state  to 
pay  the  bills,  which  amount  to  ;^3i,  12.  Capt.  Folsom  cer- 
tifies to  his  having  been  a good  soldier,  and  the  account  was 
allowed. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-32]  \_Soldieds  Order. ~\ 

Greenland  Sep**"  29*^''  1781 — 

This  may  certify  that  I William  Wallis  of  Greenland  in  y® 
County  of  Rockingham  and  State  of  New'  Hampshire  do  here- 
by renounce  and  give  up  to  y®  Selectmen  of  Greenland  the 
wages  which  I as  a soldier  enlisting  into  y®  Militia  may  expect 
to  receive  from  this  State  As  w’itness  my  hand 

William  Wallis 


[4-161]  [Ma  trhnoizial  Agreemeiit.,  Thoitias  Packer  and 

Molly  Par  It  072.^  ^779-^ 

Phis  I7tde7iture  made  this  twenty  fifth  day  of  December  A : 
D.  17779  between  Thomas  Packer  of  Greenland  in  the 

County  of  Rockingham  and  State  of  New'-Hampshire  husband- 
man on  the  one  part,  and  Molly  Tarlton  of  said  Greenland 
Spinster,  on  the  other  part  Witnesseth,  that  wdiereas  a marriage 
is  intended  and  proposed  shortly  to  be  Solemnized  between  the 
Said  Thomas  & the  Said  Molly,  in  consideration  thereof  and  of 
the  Mutual  love  the  parties  bear  to  each  other 

It  is  hereby  Covenanted,  granted  and  agreed  by  the  Said 
Thomas  for  him  Self  and  his  heirs,  ex’rs  & Administ®  to  and 
w'ith  the  said  Molly  her  ex’rs  & adm’rs  that  in  case  the  said 
Marriage  should  take  Effect,  and  she  the  Said  Molly  should 
survive  the  said  Thomas,  there  shall  then  be  paid  to  the  Said 
Molly  her  ex’rs  & adm’rs  out  of  the  Estate  of  the  said  Thomas, 


70 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


annually  during  her  widowhood  the  Sum  of  Twelve  pounds  at 
the  Value  of  Money  when  Corn  is  Sold  at  the  Rate  of  Six 
Shillings  per  Bushel,  and  shall  be  entitled  to  live  in  the  Man- 
sion house  of  the  said  Thomas  in  said  Greenland  during:  her 
widowhood  free  of  Charge,  have  the  use  of  the  Cellar  & What 
it  Contains  Roots  and  Provisions  liquors  from  year  to  year 
the  Produce  of  the  Farm — and  besides  the  General  use  of  the 
said  House,  Cellar  Dairy  shall  have  the  southwest  room  in 
said  House,  With  one  Bed  Solely  to  her  own  use  during  her  s*^ 
widowhood  Which  shall  be  fitted  up  for  that  purpose  by  Said 
Thomas’s  Executors.  And  it  is  further  Covenanted,  granted 
and  agreed  by  the  Said  Thomas  for  himself  his  heirs,  ex’rs  and 
adm’rs,  to  and  with  the  Said  Molly  her  ex’rs  and  adm’rs  that 
in  Case  said  marriage  Should  take  Effect,  and  the  Said  Molly 
should  Survive  the  Said  Thomas  That  then  the  Said  Molly 
her  Ex’rs  and  adm’rs  shall  have  and  receive  to  her  and  their 
use  all  the  apparel  & furniture  that  belonged  to  her  at  the  time 
of  her  Marriage — But  in  Case  the  Said  Molly  Should  again 
marry  after  the  death  of  the  Said  Thomas  Then  from  that  time 
the  Said  annuity  Shall  cease  with  the  right  to  live  in  Said 
house  & to  the  Produce  of  the  Said  Farm  ; and  in  the  stead 
thereof  she  shall  receive  out  of  the  Estate  of  said  Thomas  The 
Sum  of  Twenty  four  pounds  in  money  of  like  value  with  that 
before  Mentioned  to  be  paid  her  on  Demand  by  the  heirs,  ex’rs 
or  adm’rs  of  the  Said  Thomas — Provided  that  the  said  Covenant 
Grant  and  agreement  with  the  Said  Molly  to  live  in  said  house 
and  to  receive  sufficient  Provisions  off  the  Farm  for  her  support 
shall  not  be  binding  in  case  the  s*^*  Estate  is  adjudged  not  to  be- 
long to  Said  Thomas’s  heirs  after  his  decease — 

In  consideration  thereof  the  said  Molly  for  her  Self  her  heirs 
ex’rs  and  adm’rs  doth  hereby  covenant  grant  and  agree  to  and 
with  the  said  Thomas  his  heirs,  ex’rs  and  adm’rs  that  she  will, 
in  Case  said  marriage  should  take  Effect  and  she  survive  him, 
never  ask  or  demand  any  Dower  in  the  real  Estate  of  the  Said 
Thomas  nor  anything  as  thirds  in  his  Personal  Estate,  nor  ask 
Demand  or  receive  any  part  of  the  Said  Thomas’s  Estate, 
whether  real  or  Personal,  and  that  neither  she,  her  heirs,  ex’rs 
nor  Adm’rs  shall  make  any  demand  on  the  heirs  or  Assigns  of 
the  Said  Thomas  for  Dower,  nor  on  his  ex’rs  or  Adm’rs  for  any 
thing  Whatsoever  that  She  might  otherwise  be  entitled  to  as  the 
said  Thomas’s  widow  further  than  what  is  granted  in  this  In- 
denture, and  that  She  and  they  Shall  forever  be  barred  and  pre- 
cluded of  all  other  demands  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents  and  that 
after  the  said  Thomas’s  decease  She  Shall  and  will  at  any  time 
on  request,  release  and  quit  Claim  forever  her  Right  of  Dower 
and  Power  of  thirds  in  Said  Estate — To  the  due  performance  of 
the  Covenants  aforesaid  the  Parties  Mutually  bind  themselves  in 


GREENLAND. 


71 


the  Penal  Sum  of  Six  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds,  and  inter 
changeably  Set  their  Hands  and  Seals  the  Day  and  year  afore 
said 


Signed  Sealed  & Deh'^ 
in  Presence  of 
Joshua  Haines 
Jacob  Haness 
Sam^  Hutchings 


Thomas  Packer 

her 

Molly  X Tarlton 

mark 


[4-162]  \_Relative  to  Election  of  Representative^ 

State  of  New  Hamp''  Rockingham  ss 

To  the  hon'^^®  the  Councel  & House  of  Representatives  for  said 

State  in  General  Assembly  conven’d  at  Concord  the  25^^  day 

of  Decern*'  A D 17S3 

Humbly  shew  the  subscribers  being  a majority  of  the  legal 
voters  for  the  choice  of  Representatives  in  the  Town  of  Green- 
land in  the  County  of  Rockingham  and  State  aforesaid  that  the  * 
Inhabitants  have  long  had  the  exclusive  right  of  electing  a Rep- 
resentative for  themselves  and  that  they  have  very  nearly  the 
number  of  male  Inhabitants  paying  a poll  tax  for  themselves 
which  the  new  Constitution  requires  to  intitle  them  to  send  a 
Representative  and  that  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Greenland  are 
so  situated  as  to  render  the  classing  them  with  any  other  Town, 
Parish  or  Place  very  inconvenient.  Wherefore  your  Petitioners 
humbly  pray  that  your  honors  would  issue  a Writ  for  the  said 
Town  to  elect  and  send  a Representative  to  the  next  General 
Assembly  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 
&c 


David  Simpson 
Jacob  Haness 
William  Cate 
Isaiah  Berry 
Nathan  Cate 
John  Weeks  J*" 
Ebenezer  Johnson 
Nathaniel  Goss 
Nathan  Marston 
Joshua  Ayers 
William  Jenkens 
Ichabod  weeks 
William  Norton 
Robert  Tuften  Phil 
brook  Jr 


John  Poor 
Bradbury  Sanborn 
Thomas  Berry  Ju*' 
Samuel  Hugginsju 
George  Weeks 
Noah  Plaines 
Volintine  Dame 
Andrew  Cate 
George  Lucv 
Sam^  Pickering 
Jonathan  Bailey 
Benjamin  Norton 
Benjamin  Norton  J 
Josiah  Haines 
SanP  Phi  lb  rook 


Thomas  Berrey 
Moses  Brown 
W'“  Weeks 
.'■  Joshua  Brackett 
Nathanael  Marston  J' 
John  Weeks 
Joseph  Cate  JuiP 
John  Thompson 
Abraham  Dearborn 
William  Willis 
Simeon  Norton 
RoD  tufton  Phil- 
brook  Senor 
Joshua  Weeks 
William  Jenkens 


72 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  J Dearborn 
George  Philbrook 
John  Grant 
Richard  Tarlton 
Sam'  haines 
Sam*  Ayers  jr 
Samuel  Cate 
James  W hidden 
Joh  Ayers 
Josiah  Weeks 
Clement  March 


John  Haines 
Sam'  Dearborn 
James  Brackett 
Samuel  ayers 
Joshua  Neal 
Tho®  Packer 
Will™  Pickering 
Mark  Jenkins 
Thomas  Johnson 
George  Brackett 
Simeon  Dearborn 


John  Haines  jr 
David  Wiggins 
Jotham  Johnson 
Eliphalet  Ayers 
Enoch  Clark 
Jeremiah  Cate 
Bradbury  Sanborn 
Lewis  Haines 
David  Johnson 
Joshua  Johnson 


[4-163]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  raise  Alo^iey  by  Lottery 

to  Build  a Bridge^ 

To  the  honourable  Senate  & honourable  House  of  Representa- 
tives for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  as- 
sembled— 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Greenland  and  others, 
humbly  sheweth  that  Rebuilding  the  Bridge  over  what  is  called 
little  Harbour  River  whereby  New-Castle,  or  what  is  called 
great  Island  may  be  joined  to  the  main  Land  and  a free  Com- 
munication opened  between  s*'  Island  and  the  Country,  is  of 
great  Importance  not  only  to  New-Castle  & Towns  adjacent, 
but  to  the  State  in  general — That  by  increasing  the  Numbers 
& Wealth  of  New-Castle,  the  Fishery  will  be  increased  ; and 
the  Wealth  thereby  obtained,  be  in  the  Issue  thrown  into  the 
Lap  of  the  State  in  general  and  so  the  rebuilding  the  Bridge 
afores''  become  of  extensive  & general  Advantage — That  on  the 
other  hand  if  s''  Bridge  is  not  rebuilt  New-Castle  must  empov- 
erish  & dwindle,  & in  Time  must  sink  into  Nothing  to  the  di- 
minishing of  the  Fishery  and  Wealth  of  the  State  in  general — 
And  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  s*'  New-Castle  & their  Neigh- 
bours adjacent  have  not  Strength  to  the  arduous  Work  without 
the  public  Aid  : these  are  therefore  most  earnestly  to  request 
the  Legislative  Body  of  the  State  to  hear  our  joint  Petition  & 
Request  with  the  Inhabitants  of  s''  Town  of  New-Castle  & 
others,  and  grant  a Lottery  to  raise  a Sum  not  exceeding  fif- 
teen hundred  Pounds  for  the  Purpose  of  rebuilding  the  Bridge 
afores''  under  the  Care  and  Management  of  such  Trustees  as  the 
honourable  Legislature  shall  appoint — Which  we  your  Peti- 
tioners most  dutifully  pray  &c. — 

Dated  at  Greenland  December  24"^  17S9 

George  Brackett  Nathaniel  Goss  James  Brackett 

Joshua  Brackatt  Nathan  Johnson  J.  Nathan  Johnson 


GROTON. 


73 


Thomas  Johnson 
Ichabod  Weeks 
Thomas  Berry  J*’ 
Job  Chapman 
Enoch  Clark 
Enoch  Moody  Clark 
Joseph  Cate 
Josh^  Weeks 
Samuel  Nudd 
Wiliam  Jenkens 
John  Dearborn 
John  Wingate 
Job  Jenness 
John  Potter 
Chas  Wiggin 
William  Haines 
Sam^  Chapman 
Levi  Dearborn  Jun^ 
Christopher  Smith 
Mark  Jenkins 
John  Ayers  J*" 
Francis  Berry 
Dan^  Pickering  Juner 
JoiP  Bailey 
Jabes  Sanborn 
George  Simson 
Thomas  Lang  Ju’’ 
Jonathan  Wiggin 


David  Simpson 
Thomas  Lang 
Joseph  Clark 
Ebenezer  Johnson 
Jim 

Gawen  Patterson 
Josiah  Lang 
John  Weeks 
Mark  Meloon 
Jonathan  Downing 
John  Fogg 
Sam^  Dearborn 
Will’”  Norton 
Reuben  G.  Dear- 
born Jr 

Jonathan  Piper 
Noah  Haines 
Simeon  Norton 
Benj”  Dearborn 
John  Hains 
R Tufton  Philbrook 
Joshua  Ayers 
Sam^  Pickering 
Joh”  Pickering 
Jonathan  Bailey  J*" 
James  Wedgwood 
George  Libbey 
Clem‘  March 


David  Johnson 
Joseph  Dearborn 
John  Haines  jr 
Thomas  Marston  jr 
Josiah  Haines 
William  Haines  Jr 
W'”  Weeks 
George  Weeks 
Stephen  March 
Levi  Dearborn 
Dan'  Gookin 
RiclP  Jenness 
Tho®  Marston 
Alark  Wiggin 
Joseph  Dearborn 
Nathaniel  Alarston 
Benj”  Norton  JuiP 
Benj”  Swett 
Benja*”  moulton 
George  Philbrook 
John  Ayers 
William  Jenkens 
Absalum  Pickering 
George  Pickering 
Richard  Tarlton 
Abraham  Dearborn 


GROTON. 


The  township  was  granted  to  George  Abbott  and  others 
July  8,  1761,  by  the  name  of  Cockermouth.  No  settle- 
ments being  made,  the  grant  was  forfeited,  and  on  Novem- 
ber 22,  1766,  it  was  regranted  to  John  Hale  and  others, 
who  made  some  settlements  in  1770, — James  Gould,  one  of 
the  grantees,  Capt.  Ebenezer  Melvin,  Jonas  Hobart,  Phine- 
has  Bennet,  and  Samuel  Farley  settling  that  year.  The 
full  conditions  of  the  latter  grant,  however,  were  not  com- 
plied with,  and  Governor  Wentworth  granted  an  extension 
January  24,  1772,  for  three  years. 

In  1792  a portion  of  this  township  was  united  with  a por- 


74 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


tion  of  Plymouth,  and  incorporated  into  a town  by  the  name 
of  Hebron. 

By  an  act  approved  December  7,  1796,  the  name  of  the 
town  was  changed  to  Groton,  in  answer  to  a vote  of  the 
town. 

By  an  act  approved  June  26,  1845,  a tract  of  land  known 
as  the  Gore,  and  some  other  lots,  were  severed  from  Hebron, 
and  annexed  to  Groton. 

Among  the  Revolutionary  soldiers  from  Groton  were 
Gideon  Fletcher  and  John  Hazelton,  in  the  First  Regiment. 


[4-164]  S^Election  of  fustice  of  the  Peace^  ^779 


State  of  Newhampshire  Grafton  ss 
To  the  Honerable  Counsel  and  House  of  Representatives 


May  it  plese  your  Honours  that  the  freeholders  and  other  In- 
habetants  of  the  town  of  Cockermouth  at  a Legal  meeting  may 
10  1779 

Voted  that  the  Select  men  of  S^  town  of  Cockermouth  make 
aplication  to  the  Counsel  and  House  of  Representitives  for  a 
Justice  of  the  peace  for  S*^  town  also  Voted  that  Cap^  Eben  Ken- 
dall be  S^^  Justice  of  the  peace 

therefore  your  petitioners  Humbly  Request  that  your  Hon- 
ours would  appoint  Said  Kendall  for  a Justice  of  the  peace  and 
that  He  be  authorized  for  that  purpose 

and  your  petitioners  as  In  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 


Cockermouth  may  30  i779 


William  Powers 
Phinehas  Bennett 


) Select  men 
of  the  town 
J of  Cockermouth 


[4-165]  \_Relative  to  a Road  throtigh  Plymouth^  etc.^ 

To  the  HonH  Council  And  House  of  Representatives  for  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  Gen^  Assembly,  convened  at 
Exeter,  on  the  Second  Wednesday  of  this  Instant, 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Cockermouth,  Dorchester, 
Lyme,  & others  ; Humbly  Sheweth, 

That  your  Petitioners  have  ever  Since  the  Settlement  of  these 
Towns  Labourd  under  many  hardships,  & great  Inconven- 
ienses, for  want  of  a good  Carriage  way  through  that  part  of 


GROTON. 


75 


Plymouth,  that  falls  between  Cockermouth  and  Alexandria, 
upon  the  road  that  leads  from  Doct*'  Bartlett’s  Farm  in 
Cockermouth,  to  M’’  John  M'^Murfey’s  in  x\lexandria  ; which 
is  So  extreme  Bad  at  present,  that  it  is  not  passable  without 
the  greatest  Difficulty  on  horse-back,  much  less  with  Teams. — 

Besides  there  is  a road,  located  and  mark’d  through  the  N. 
W.  part  of  Cockermouth,  part  of  which  is  already  cut  out 
and  Cleared,  and  the  remaining  part,  will  be  Cleared  imediate- 
ly  into  the  Township  of  Wentworth,  which  Town  is  also,  pre- 
paring a Road,  in  the  most  direct  line  of  communication  to 
Cooss.  Your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to  observe,  that  when 
this  Road  is  Compleated,  the  Inhabitants  of  Cooss  with  the 
Towns  adjacent  thereto,  & likewise  the  Easterly  Part  of  this 
State,  that  have  concerns  thither  ; as  also  the  greatest  part  of 
the  Massachusetts,  may  have  access  & recess,  to  & from  each 
other  ; fifteen  or  perhaps  twenty  miles  nearer,  than  the  Road 
that  is  now  travel’d  : which  your  Petitioners  humbly  presume, 
will  be  readily  granted,  by  all  the  impartial,  that  are  acquainted 
with  that  part  of  the  Country  and  also  that  it  may  be  made  as 
good  or  better  Road  than  that  which  is  now  occupied. — And 
besides,  the  many  disadvantages,  that  accrue  to  your  Petitioners 
and  others,  at  present  from  the  badness  of  that  Road,  throng 
that  part  of  Plymouth  above  mention’d,  your  Honours,  wdll  be 
pleas’d  to  take  Notice  also,  that  the  principal  Impediment,  with 
respect  of  this  new  Road  to  Cooss,  lies  in  this  way  through 
Plymouth. — And  that  Some  of  your  Petitioners,  have  made  re- 
peated application,  to  Plymouth  for  a reparation  of  this  Road, 
but  hitherto  it  has  been  to  no  effect. 

And  the  Inhabitants  of  Cockermouth,  have  also  Petitioned  to 
this  Honb'  House  heretofore,  for  redress  upon  this  Head,  which 
was  then  read,  and  postpon’d,  by  reason  of  the  member  from 
Plymouth,  engaging  that  this  Road  Should  be  repair’d  immedi- 
ately ; but  it  has  Still  been  neglected. 

Therefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  conceive,  that  your  Hon- 
ours, wdll  at  once  See  the  Necessity,  Propriety  and  public 
Utility,  in  the  immediate  Reparation  of  S^  Road,  and  humbly 
Pray  that  the  Township  of  Plymouth,  may  be  compell’d  Speed- 
ily, to  Clear,  Bridge,  and  Casw'ay,  this  road.  So  that  it  might 
be  render’d  convenient,  for  passing — Or  that  your  Honours, 
wmuld  be  pleas’d  to  appoint  Some  other  method  whereby  S^ 
Road  may  become  Commodious  for  the  Public  benefit. 

And  as  in  Duty  bound  your  Petitioners  will  ever  Pray  &c. 

March  2^^  17S1 

Sam’  Piper  Benj'^  Piper  SoP  Blood 

David  Clerk  Step"  Ames  Peter  Gilman 

Elijah  Noyes  W™  Powers  Nath'  Fyfield 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


76 


Sam^ 

Pelatiah  Bartlett 
Jotham  Gillis 
Tyschal  Cleaveland 
Tho®  Gilbert 
Beni°  Rise 
Silvan  us  Wood- 
worth 

John  Woodworth 
Jacob  Ceaford 
Tho®  Clement 
Asa  Foster 
Jon^  Bates 
Abr™  Buell 
Sim°  Lovejoy 
Sam'  Hazeltine 
James  Colburn 
Isaac  Powers 
Eben^  Melvin 
Sam'  Farley 


Tho®  Caldwell 
James  W alker 
James  Goold 
W^  Tavlor 
Tho®  Folsom 
David  Flanders 
Abner  Ingraham 
Andrew  Hicok 
Alex’’  Jameson 
Tho®  Mills 
Joseph  Rogers 
Tho®  Nevins  Jun’’ 
Eben’’  IVIelvin  J’’ 
David  Hale 
Enoch  Noyes  Jun’’ 
Jerath'  Bowers 
Timothy  Blood 
Nehemiah  Hardy 
Sam'  Perley 
Sam'  Fellows 


Alex’"  Caldwell 
John  House 
Nath'  Lord 
Jn°  Sulloway 
Junia  Ingraham  Jun’’ 
Junia  Ingraham 
Gideon  Bridgman 
Daniel  Jameson 
Nath'  Green 
Zeb”  Gilman 
EbeiP  Phelps 
Sam'  Phelps 
Nath'  Ball 
John  Hale 
Jacob  Lovejoy 
Step”  Ames  Jun 
Eben’’  Kendall 
N.  Gilman 
Peter  Gilman  J’’ 


[4-166]  \_Petition  relative  to  Road  through  Alexandria^ 

To  the  Honorable  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  Newhampshire,  In  General  Assembly  Convened, 
at  Concord  March  1782. 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Cockermouth,  Dorchester, 
and  others  : 

Humbly  Shew'eth,  That  the  Road  from  the  Northerlv  Line  of 
Alexandria  through  which  Town  Your  Petitioners  & others 
must  pass,  to  Transact  near  all  our  Publick  Business  of  import- 
ance is  Extreme  Bad,  and  uncomfortable  to  Travil  in.  That 
Some  of  your  Petitioners  have  often  Broke  their  Slays,  Sleds, 
and  Carriages  in  Conveying  the  Necesaries  of  Life  to  our  Fam- 
ilies through  S*^  Town.  Our  Selves,  Oxen,  and  Horses  have 
often  Been  Greatly  Ingur’d,  by  the  Badness  of  S^  Road,  and 
this  too,  more  or  Less,  at  all  Seasons  of  the  Year. 

Your  Honors  will  further  Observe,  That  Repeated  applica- 
tions have  Been  made  to  the  S^  Alexandria,  to  make  S^  Road  a 
good  Waggon  one,  Notwithstanding  which  the  Road  Re- 
mains as  is  above  Represented.  Wherefore  Your  Petitioners 
Humblv  Prav  that  the  S'' Alexandria  Mav  be  enabled  and  Com- 
pell’d  or  the  Proprietors  of  said  Towm  to  make  us  a good 
Waggon  Road,  from  the  Road  lately  Repaired  By  the  Propri- 
etors of  Plvmouth  on  the  Northerly  Line  of  S*'  alexandria,  to 


GROTON. 


77 


Joshua  Tolphords  Esq,  in  Town,  and  as  In  Duty  Bound 
your  Petitioners  Shall  ever  Pray  &c. 

Cockermouth  March  12  1782. 


Jonth  Bartlet 
Zechariah  Kemp 
Thomas  Nevens 
Samuel  Hazelton 
Evan  Bartlett 
Jerathmel  Bowers 
Thomas  Nevins  Ju^ 
Uriah  Pike 
Nehemiah  Hardy 
Jeremiah  newhall 
Peter  Gilman  Jr 
Isaac  Powers 


N Gilman 

John  Haselton 

Enoch  Noves 
%/ 

Peter  Gilman  Hazel 
tine 

Eben  melven 
John  Hobart 
Sam^^  Farley 
Zeb"  Gilman 
Abraham  Buell 
Simeon  Lovejoy 

Timothv  Blood 

•/ 


Gershom  Hobart 
Jonathan  Bates 
Samuel  Perley 
ED  Kendall 
Jasariah  Crosby 
Jonas  Hobart 
Stephen  Ames 
NatD^  Gilman 
Ezekiel  Metcalf 
Jacob  Perkins 
Stephen  Goodhue 
Henry  Phelps 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  27,  1782,  a hearing  was  ordered 
for  the  next  session. — Ed.] 


[4-167]  \_Capt.  JEci^mmd  Shattuck  7'ecom?ne7ided for  a Mag- 

istrate^ 


To  his  Excellency  the  Presedant  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire 


]May  it  please  your  Excellency 

We  your  dutifull  Petitioners  free  holders  and  other  Inhab- 
itants of  the  Town  of  Cockermouth  in  the  County  of  Grafton 
and  vState  aforesaid  we  understand  that  we  have  know  Commis- 
sion of  Peace  Granted  to  us  although  this  Town  is  but  Small  as 
tis  in  Number  we  think  that  we  Stand  in  need  of  a Commission 
of  the  Peace  in  it  by  reason  of  our  Loes  and  other  Circum- 
stances So  tharefore  we  Humbly  present  this  petition  to  your 
Excellency  that  if  it  wold  Please  your  Excellency  that  you  would 
Grant  a Commision  to  Cap‘  Edmond  Shattuck  of  this  town, 
and  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  ever  Pray  &c 


Stephen  Ames 
Ezekiel  Metcalf 
Peter  Gilmen 
Eben  melven  Ju 
Asahel  Buell 
William  Colburn 
John  Woodbury 


Nathaniel  Blood 
Samuel  Metcalf 
John  Hall 
Abel  Lovjoy 
Jeremiab  Ames 
Nathaniel  Blood 
Juner 


William  Powers 
Ebenezer  melven 
David  Hall 
Thomas  Ross 
William  Blood 
Samuel  Goodhue 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


7^ 


[4-1 67}^]  [^Petition  relative  to  Boundaries^  iy8§.~\ 

State  of  New  | The  the  Senate  and  house  of  Represent- 

Hampshire  | atives  convened  at  portsmouth  in  the  state 

aforesaid  the  Tenth  day  of  June  Anno  Domini  1785. 

The  petition  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Town  of  Cockermouth 
in  said  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Most  Humbly  sheweth  That  in  October  Anno  Domini  1780 
The  State  made  an  act  intitled  ‘"An  Act  to  servey  & establish 
the  bounds  of  sundry  towns  in  the  Counties  of  Strafford  & Graf- 
ton ” which  towns  are  particularly  mentioned  in  said  Act  And 
also  in  & by  said  Act  among  other  things  impowering  Ebenezer 
Thompson  Esq*’  & others  as  Committee  to  survey  & lay  out  by 
proper  metes  & bounds  the  following  towns  viz — Rumnev, 
Wentworth,  Warren,  Plymouth,  Campton,  Piermont  & Orford. 

And  a return  of  s'^  Survey  being  made  into  the  Secretaries  Office 
under  the  hands  of  s*^  Committee  or  any  three  or  more  of  them 
in  one  year  from  the  passing  said  Act,  should  be  binding  & 
conclusive  in  Law  upon  all  persons  upon  certain  conditions  & 
limitations  therein  mentioned — 

And  whereas  the  running  the  lines  of  the  afores*^  towns,  your 
Petitioners  apprehend  will  be  very  detrimental  to  the  town  of 
Cockermouth  for  the  following  reasons  viz — First,  That  altho’ 
said  Act  sets  forth  that  public  notice  had  been  given  & no  per- 
son had  appeared  to  oppose  the  same  yet  that  the  Proprietors 
of  Cockermouth  who  are  mentioned  in  said  Act  & are  material- 
ly concerned  in  the  Issue  of  running  lines,  never  were  notified, 
neither  was  said  Cockermouth  ever  notified  as  a town. — 

Secondly — That  the  lines  of  the  towns  of  Lyme,  Dorchester 
& Cockermouth  were  all  surveyed  by  order  of  the  Honorable 
the  Superior  Court  of  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire,  more 
than  ten  years  ago,  which  surveys  were  made  use  of  in  trials  of 
actions  at  law  then  depending  between  the  said  Proprietors  of 
Cockermouth  & Plymouth,  And  that  agreeable  to  said  Surveys, 
said  proprietors  of  Cockermouth  recovered  in  all  said  Actions, 

& have  constantly  possessed,  occupied  & improved  said  land,  j 

paid  the  taxes  thereof,  & defended  the  same  against  the  Com-  i 

mon  Enemy  throughout  a tedious  war  & that  a considerable  j 

part  of  the  land  in  said  Cockermouth  has  been  sold  for  State  &;  j| 

proprietory  taxes  within  that  time — H 

Thirdly — That  by  the  return  of  the  Committee  who  were 
authorised  by  the  before  mentioned  Act,  your  petitioners  are  in-  , ’ 

formed,  the  said  town  of  Plymouth  will  have  one  line  of  about 
two  miles  in  length  more  than  their  Charter  gives  them, — j 

wdiereas  in  fact  it  appears  that  they  should  come  to  a point,  & i 

leave  out  the  said  line  of  two  miles,  whereby  a very  large  tract  -•  |i 

of  land  is  included,  more  than  Plymouth  Charter  contains.  i 


;'j 

r 


GROTON. 


79 


Wherefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  a day  of  hearing 
may  be  assigned  them  and  that  in  the  mean  time  the  said  town 
of  Plymouth  may  be  ordered  not  to  make  any  assesments  upon 
the  poles  and  estates  of  the  inhabitants  within  the  Claim  of  the 
township  of  Cockermouth,  until  the  boundaries  of  s^  Plymouth 
& Cockermouth  shall  be  established  by  the  General  Court,  and 
that  your  Excellency  & Honors  would  be  pleased  to  pass  such 
further  order  thereon  as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  fit — 
And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 


June  io‘^  17^5 


R : Cutts  Shannon 
Noah  Worcester 
John  Hale 
Edmund  Shattuck 


Committee 
of  the  prop*"® 
of  Cockermouth 


[4-16S] 

It  is  agreed  between  the  Corn‘s®®  of  Cockermouth  & Plymouth 
that  the  Petition  concerning  the  boundarys  shall  be  farther  post- 
poned to  the  next  Session  of  the  gen^  Court  in  Concord  which 
may  happen  after  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  next. 

May  loth  1787. 

S Livermore  for  Plym® 

Sam^  Hobart 
Noah  Worcester 
R : Cutts  Shannon 


I for 

I Cockermouth 


[For  documents  relative  to  foregoing,  see  Vol.  XI,  page 
723.— Ed.] 


[4-169]  \_Petition  for  change  of  Na?ne  of  Townr\ 

State  of  Newhampshire  Grafton  ss 

To  the  Honarabel  the  General  Cort  to  be  holden  at  Concord 
within  and  for  said  state  on  the  first  WednesDay  of  June 
Next 

the  petition  of  the  Inhabetants  of  the  town  of  Cockermouth  in 
the  County  and  State  afore  said  Humbly  Sheweth  that  whereas 
we  the  Inhabetants  of  S^  Town  have  for  a Longtime  been  Dis- 
satisfied with  the  Name  of  Cockermouth  beingf  afixed  to  said 
Town  these  are  therefore  to  in  form  your  Honours  that  the  In- 
habetents  of  S^^  town  by  there  Legal  meeting  Did  meet  in  town 
meeting  in  S*^  Cockermouth  on  the  Eleventh  Day  of  march  17S8 
and  by  their  unamus  voice  agree  to  and  Voted  to  petition  this 
Honourable  Court  to  Change  the  Name  of  S*^  town  from  that  of 
Cockermouth  to  that  of  Danbury  as  by  their  Vote  on  s'^ 

Day  of  march  may  more  fully  appear  these  are  therefore  to 


8o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


pray  your  Honours  that  by  an  act  of  your  Honours  the  Name 
of  s*^  Cockermouth  may  be  Vacated  and  that  the  Name  of 
Danbury  be  affixed  thereto  and  Known  in  Law  as  Such  and 
your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Signed  by  order  of  the  town 

EH  Kendell  ) Select 
Powers  j men 

Cockermouth  may  30*^  1788 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  9,  1788,  the  petitioners  were  granted 
leave  to  bring  in  a bill. — Ed.] 


[4-170]  \_Petitio7i  of  Cockermouth  People  for  a new  Pown^ 

77p/.] 

His  Excellency  the  President,  The  Hon.  Senate  & House  of 
Representatives  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  GeH 
Court  convened. 

The  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth,  that  the 
Southeasterly  part  of  the  Town  of  Cockermouth  (by  its  natural 
formation  is  so  situated  that  a connection  with  the  Southwest- 
erly part  of  Plymouth  (in  all  matters)  would  render  it  exceed- 
ingly advantageous  to  us  inhabitants  of  said  Cockermouth. — 
Wherefore  we  pray  that  a certain  part  of  said  Cockermouth 
(beginning  at  the  Southwesterly  corner  of  the  lot  Number  six- 
teen in  the  first  range  & first  division  in  said  Cockermouth 
thence  running  North  thirty  degrees  East  to  Rumney  line  which 
makes  about  a mile  in  width)  may  be  set  oft' from  said  Cocker- 
mouth, annexed  to  and  incorporated  with  that  part  of  said  Ply- 
mouth now  petitioned  for  as  a New  Township — 

And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
Cockermouth  Dec  179^  — 

John  Haselton  Samuel  Haselton  Cummings 

Timothy  Farley  Natffi^  Ball  Sam^  Phelps 

Jaazariah  Crosby  Abraham  Parker  Ebenezer  Wise 


[4-170]  \_Petition  of  Plymouth  People  for  a New  Pown^ 

1791.1 

His  Excellencv  the  President,  the  Flon^^®  Senate  & Flouse  of 

•/  ' 

Representatives  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  GeiF 
Court  convened 

The  petition  of  us  the  subscribers  humbly  sheweth,  that  by  a 
late  establishment  of  the  boundaries  of  the  Town  of  Plymouth 


GROTON. 


8l 


(of  which  we  are  Inhabitants)  our  connection  with  said  Town 
of  Plymouth  is  rendered  exceeding  difficult,  as  the  road  at  pres- 
ent is  new  and  in  a great  measure  unoccupied,  and  the  length 
of  way  from  the  principal  part  of  us  nearly  six  miles  to  the  now 
Centre  of  said  Plymouth.  And  further  that  the  greater  part  of 
us  have  been  at  a great  expence  in  settling  a Gospel  Minister  & 
supporting  the  Gospel  among  ourselves  without  any  assistance 
of  the  Town  of  Plymouth  aforesaid,  & having  previously  ob- 
tained approbation  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Plymouth  by  a 
unanimous  vote  herewith  inclosed  and  preferred  to  your  Honors 
signifying  that  our  desires  may  be  fully  gratified 

Wherefore  we  pray,  that  such  a part  of  said  Plymouth  as  is 
expressed  by  metes  and  bounds  in  said  vote  herewith  preferred 
by  the  bearer  William  Cummings  may  be  set  off  & incorporated 
into  a Township  and  that  we  the  Inhabitants  of  the  same  may 
be  invested  with  Town  privileges  in  such  way  as  your  Honours 
in  wisdom  may  Judge  fit  and  we  your  Honours  petitioners  as  in 
duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Plymouth  Dec.  7*^^  ^79^ 


William  Cummings 
Jonathan  Morss 
Jonathan  Bartlett 
Uriah  Pike 
John  W.  Kendall 
Samuel  Hasalton 


Evan  Bartlett 
David  Cheney 
EbeiP  Kendall 
Simon  Lovejoy 
Jacob  Kendall 
Benj'^  Haselton 


Jerahmeel  Bowers 
Josiah  Hobart 
Ebenezer  Kendall 
Juff 

James  Colburn 


Feb.  2^  1793 
Copy 


Serv’d  the  select  men  of  Plymouth  with  a true 

per  W™  Cumings 


Feb.  1792  fl'ie  Petitioners  comply’d  withy®  within  order 
of  Court  by  serving  us  with  an  attested  Copy 


W*^^  Cumings 


Selectmen  of  s^  Cockermouth 
for  1791 


Selectmen  for 
s^  Cockermouth 
for  1793 

March  1792 


Edm  Shattuck 
Sam  Goodhue  Jr 


[The  foregoing  petitions  were  granted,  and  the  portions 
of  the  two  towns  asked  for  were  set  off  and  incorporated 
into  the  town  of  Hebron. — Ed.] 


8 


82 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-1 71]  \_Capt.  Ed77iund  S hat  tuck''  s RestgTiatioTt^  i/pi.J 

To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 

The  request  of  your  Petitioner  humbly  sheweth  that  for 
many  years  even  from  infancy  of  the  Town  of  Cockermouth, 
he  has  born  a large  Share  of  the  hardships  not  only  of  settling  a 
new  Town,  but  has  for  considerable  time  Sustained  the  Trust 
of  Cap*  of  the  Company  of  militia  in  s*^  Cockermouth  and  inas- 
much as  he  is  in  advanced  age  prays  that  he  may  be  releas’d 
from  military  exercises  & your  Excellency’s  Petitioner  as  in 
duty  bound  ever  prayeth — 

Cockermouth  Jany  5**^  1791  — 

Ed'"  Shattuck  Cap* 


[4-172]  \_Petitio77  to  have  the  NaTue  of  the  Towti  chaTtged  to 

Grot 071^  7/^(5.] 

The  Hon**^®  Senate  & house  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  in  Gen*  Court  convened 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth  That, 
Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Cockermouth  at  a late 
Town  Meeting  unanimously  manifested  their  Desire  that  the 
Name  of  said  Town  of  Cockermouth  might  be  altered  and  an- 
other Name  for  said  Town  Substituted  in  Stead  therof — 

Wherefore  we  pray  that  your  Honours  would  gratify  the  In- 
habitants of  said  Cockermouth  and  order  by  act  of  the  Hon* 
Gen*  Court  that  said  Town  be  Called  GrotoTz — This  your  Peti- 
tioners as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Cockermouth  Nov.  24**^  1796 

Ed'"  Shattuck  I Selectmen 
David  Hale  j of  s'*  Cockerm*^ 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  by  an  act  passed 
December  7,  1796. — Ed.] 


HAMPSTEAD. 

Previous  to  the  establishment  of  the  line  between  this 
state  and  Massachusetts,  the  territory  comprising  this  town 
was  considered  as  parts  of  Haverhill  and  Amesbury,  and 
went  by  the  name  of  Timberlane. 


HAMPSTEAD. 


83 


Settlements  were  made  in  1728. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  government  of  New 
Hampshire  January  19,  1749,  and  named  by  Governor 
Wentworth  from  a town  in  England. 

A dispute  arose,  about  the  year  1757,  between  the  proprie^ 
tors  of  the  town  and  some  Kingston  parties,  who  claimed 
land  under  a grant  from  Massachusetts,  which  created  con- 
siderable bitterness,  but  was  finally  settled  by  the  payment 
of  ;£3,ooo  old  tenor,  amounting  to  ;£iSO  lawful  money,  by 
the  town  of  Hampstead,  and  the  procuring  of  a grant  from 
the  governor  of  a township,  from  which  land  enough  was 
transferred  to  the  Kingston  parties  to  satisfy  them.  It  is 
said  that  men  from  both  sides  went  to  the  township  thus 
granted  (situated  in  what  is  now  Sullivan  county)  with  bit- 
terness in  their  hearts,  but  came  to  an  amicable  settlement, 
shook  hands,  and  parted  in  UxNITY,  and  named  the  town  in 
commemoration  of  the  happy  event. 

By  an  act  passed  June  23,  1859,  ^ portion  of  Atkinson 
was  annexed  to  this  town. 

June  28,  1877,  a small  tract  of  land  was  severed  from 
Hampstead,  and  annexed  to  Danville. 

Among  the  noted  early  inhabitants  of  the  town  was 
Richard  Hazzen.a  graduate  of  Harvard  college  in  1717.  He 
was  a surveyor,  and  in  March  and  April,  1741,  surveyed  the 
line  between  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts,  from  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  present  town  of  Pelham  to  Connect- 
icut river.  He  died  in  1754. 

Hon.  John  Calfe,  born  June  13,  1741,  was  judge  of  the 
court  of  common  pleas  for  twenty-five  years,  and  for  the 
same  number  of  years  clerk  of  the  house  of  representatives. 
He  died  October  30,  1808. 


[5-1]  \_Assessment  of  Rates ^ about 

An  assessment  on  the  Lands  Possessed  By  those  Persons 
whose  names  are  under  written  ; assess*  Bv  Vartue  of  a vote  of 
the  free  holders  of  the  Town  of  Hampstead  : in  order  to  Settle 
the  Long  & unhappy  Despute  that  has  Subsisted  between  the 
Said  freeholders  of  Hampstead  that  Settled  under  Haverhill  & 
Amesbury  Title  ; and  the  Proprietors  of  Kingstown  or  Clam- 
ers  under  them  : 

John  Atwood, 

Sam**  Brown, 


Joseph  Brown, 
John  Calfe, 


Thos  Crawford, 
Eben*’  Copp, 


84 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joshua  Bayley, 

John  Chase, 

Asa  Currier, 

Dr.  Peter  Eastman, 
Joseph  French,  Jun. 
Will'”  George, 
Reuben  Harriman, 
D avid  Hadley, 

En.  Will'”  Heath, 
John  Harriman, 
Capt.  John  Hazen, 
Stephen  Johnson, 
Charles  Johnson, 
Daniel  Johnson, 
John  Kent, 

Eben  Kezar, 

Sam^^  Little,  Esq., 
Stephen  Little, 
Moses  Little,  Jun., 
Enoch  Little, 

John  Mills, 

Lieut  Peter  Morss, 
Joseph  Noyce, 

John  Plumer, 

Wid.  Merebah  Rob- 
erds, 

Benj”  Stevens, 

Sam'^  Stevens, 

Daniel  Stevens, 
Joseph  Sawyer, 
Jesse  Turriel, 

John  Webster,  Esq., 
Wid.  Mehe'  Worthen, 
Dinah  Roberson, 
John  Bartlet, 


Wid.  Sarah  Clark, 
Josiah  Davis, 

Caleb  Emerson, 
John  French, 

, Capt.  EbeiF  Hale, 
Bartho'^  Pleath, 
Wid.  Judith  Hadley 
Will'”  Heath,  Jun., 
Benj”  Heath, 

Heirs  of  Richard 
Hazen,  Jun., 
Sam'^  Johnson, 
Caleb  Johnson, 

Dr.  Benj”  Kimball, 
Wid.  Kimball, 
EbeiP  Kezar  for  his 
wife, 

Joseph  Little, 

Moses  Little, 

Clerk  Benj”  Little, 
Lieut  Will'”  Moulton 
Abel  Merril, 
Llannah  Moors, 
Wid.  Judith  Plumer 
Joseph  Pilsbury, 
Otho  Stevens, 

Dc*"  Wait  Stevens, 
Levi  Stevens, 
Joshua  Sawyer, 
Enoch  vSawyer, 
Wid.  Sant  clear, 
Tho®  Williams, 

, Abner  Sawyer, 

Dr.  John  Bond, 
Stephen  Bayley, 


Lieut.  Benj”  Emer- 
son, 

Dr.  Joseph  French, 
Nathan  Goodwin, 
Capt.  Hezekiah 
Hutchens, 

Joseph  Hadley, 
Natlf^  Heath, 

Will'”  LIunt, 

Benj”  Hale, 

Wid.  Sarah  Hazen, 
En.  Jesse  Johnson, 
Zech.  Johnson, 
Moses  Kimball, 

John  Kezar, 

Daniel  Little,  Esq*^, 
Joseph  Little, 

Capt.  Moses  Little, 
Benj”  Little, 

John  Muzzey, 

Capt.  Will"^  Marsh- 
ell, 

John  Merriel, 

Benj”  Pilsbury, 

Job  Rowel, 

Will*”  Stevens, 

Arch.  Stevens, 

Wid.  Anna  Stevens, 
Edmund  Sawyer, 
the  Rev*^  M*"  Henry 
True, 

Will'”  Richardson, 
Tho®  Wadley, 
Joshua  Copp, 


John  Muzzey 
Edmund  Morss 
John  Mills 


Committee 


[5-2] 

Province  of  ) At  a meeting  held  at  Timber  lane  on  the 
New  Hamshire  j 13*^  of  July  Instant  it  was  voated  that  Mr 
Richard  Hazzen  & Daniel  Little  Esq^  and  m*'  John  Webster  be 
a Committee  to  prefer  a petition  to  the  Govenor  and  Council  of 
said  Province  to  see  if  that  HoiP*'^®  Court  in  their  wisdom  will 


HAMPSTEAD.  85 

Incorporate  Timber  lane  and  Almsbury  peak  into  a Parish  or 
Township 

George  Little  Jun*" 
Timber  lane  Clerk 


[5-3]  \_Petitio7i  for  an  Incorporatio?i  of  the  Town^  1/46.^ 

To  his  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq*"  Governor  and 

Commander  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  majesties  Province  of 

New  Hampshire  the  his  majesties  Councill  July  39*^ 

1746. 

The  petition  of  the  Subscribers  for  themselves  & in  behalf  of 
Sundry  others  to  the  number  of  About  one  hundred  who  live 
in  that  part  of  Haverhill  District  Commonly  called  Timber- 
lane  together  with  that  part  of  South  Hampton  District  which 
is  usually  called  Almsbury  Peak. 

Humbly  Sheweth  That  the  Lands  whereon  your  petitioners 
Dwell  as  herein  described  and  bounded  & containing  near  a 
five  miles  Square  viz.  Begining  at  the  Southeasterly  corner  of 
the  farm  commonly  called  Tyngs  farm  : thence  runing  North- 
westerly by  Said  farm  till  it  comes  to  Belknaps  Land,  So  take- 
ing  in  Belknaps  Land  & Richard  Heaths  Land,  thence  runing 
by  Land  of  Lieu^  Caleb  Page  till  it  comes  to  Land  of  Richard 
Hazzen,  thence  running  betwixt  said  Hazzens  Land  & Clem- 
ents Land  till  it  comes  to  the  Islandy  pond,  thence  to  the  South- 
east corner  of  Edward  Flynts  Land,  including  the  Great  Island 
in  s*^  pond,  thence  running  by  Flynts  farm  and  takeing  in 
the  same  till  it  comes  to  Stevens  Land,  and  by  Land  of  Ne- 
hemiah  Stevens  Northeasterly  to  y®  Twelve  rod  way,  thence  to 
y®  Southwesterly  angle  of  Sleepers  fifth  Division  Lott,  thence 
Northeast  to  a line  Northwest  from  Holts  Rock,  & from  thence 
to  y®  mouth  of  ye  Angjy  pond  so  called,  thence  Southeast  till 
it  comes  to  y®  Northeast  Corner  of  Woodbridges  farm  thence 
Northwesterly  by  Said  farm  till  it  comes  to  y®  way  Leading 
from  Capt  Follingsbees  to  y®  Angly  pond,  from  thence  to  North 
East  Corner  of  Obadiah  Ayers  fifth  Division  Lott  thence  South- 
westerly by  Said  Lott  to  the  Twelve  rod  way,  thence  to  y® 
Northwest  Corner  of  Lieif  Hales  Land  & by  his  Land  to 
y®  Southwest  Corner  of  it,  thence  to  y®  Northeast  Corner  of 
Tyngs  farm  & by  S*^  farm  to  y®  first  bounds  are  very  Suitable  & 
Commodious  for  a Town  or  parish  and  that  we  who  inhabit 
said  Lands  are  so  compactly  situated,  & by  the  blessing  of  God 
have  made  such  Improvements  as  that  they  are  now  able  to 
support  a Gospell  Minister  amongst  ourselves.  We  would 
further  Humbly  Suggest  to  your  Excellency  and  Honours  that 
most  of  us  now  Live  far  from  y®  public  worship  of  God  (unless 


86 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


when  carried  on  amongst  our  Selves)  that  we  cannot  possibly 
attend  upon  it  without  the  utmost  difficulty  & hazzard.  We 
therefore  earnestly  request  your  Excellency  & Honours  to  Com- 
pasionate  our  Circumstances  & incorporate  us  into  a Township 
with  y®  powers  & priviledges  that  other  Towns  in  y^  Province 
have,  or  that  you  will  at  least  invest  us  with  power  to  tax  y® 
people  to  support  y®  Gospell  amongst  ourselves  as  to  your  Ex- 
cellency & Honours  shall  seem  best  for  us,  & for  your  Excel- 
lency & Honours.  Your  humble  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  every  pi*ay. 


Daniel  Little 
Benjamin  Heath 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Moses  Gile 
Ebenr  Gile 
Moses  Copp 
Otho  Stevens 
benjamin  kimball 
Nath  an  i ell  Heath 
Samuel  Plummer 
Thomas  Clark 
Benjamin  hadley 
Thomas  Williams 
Jonathan  Hunt 


John  Muzzey 
John  Johnson 
William  Hancock 
Lemuel  Tucker 
JohnATen  Gile 
Stephen  Johnson 
David  Copp 
Stephen  Johnson  J 
Peter  Morss 
John  Plummer 
Edmund  Sawyer 
rechard  goodell 
Henry  Trusell 
Jonathan  Stevens 


Jeremiah  Eatton 
Caleb  heath 
Hugh  Tallant 
Ebenezer  Johnson 
Richard  Hazzen 
George  Little  Junr 
Peter  Easman 
r Benjamin  Eatton 
John  Webster 
Abner  Sawyer 
amos  Clark 
Bartholomew  heath 
Joseph  Hadly 


[In  answer  to  this  the  town  was  incorporated  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council  Jan.  ig,  1749,  and  named  Hampstead, 
from  a town  in  England,  near  London. — Ed.] 


[5—4]  [ Committee  to  prosecute  the  foregohig  Petition^  7/4(5*.] 

At  a Meeting  held  Jan.  y®  1/47/8  at  the  House  of  John 
Bond  By  a Society  of  the  West  end  of  Kingston  John  Hogg  & 
James  Graves  were  Chosen  a Committee  to  Prosecute  a Peti- 
tion said  Society  have  now  in  Court. 

John  Bond  Clerk 
for  s^  Society 

Copia  vera 


[5-5]  \_Request  relative  to  foregoing  Petitio7i^  7/4p.] 

Kingst®  July  i/*^^  -^/49 
May  it  Please  your  Excellency  & HoiY 

It  is  the  desire  of  us  the  Subscribers  that  if  our  Petition  ac- 
cording as  we  were  Sett  of  by  Kingston  should  not  be  granted 


HAMPSTEAD. 


87 


and  your  Excellencie  & Hon’'®  See  Cause  to  Establish  Timber- 
lane  that  we  may  be  established  with  them  and  that  the  North 
Line  may  include  the  Farm  that  was  formerly  Sam®^  Graves 
Deceas’d  & the  west  Line  may  be  the  agreement  Line  between 
Kingston  & Londonderry 

John  Flogg 
James  Graves 
John  Bond 
Edman  Easman 


[5-6]  [ Committee  to  defend  Kingston  Lawsuits^ 

Hampstead  August  22'“^  ^758 

At  a Leagal  Town  meeting  held  this  Day  Persuant  to  a war- 
rant from  the  select  men  of  this  town  the  following  things  were 
voted, 

Voted  to  Chuse  a Committee  to  Defend  and  Carry  on  to 
final  Judgement  and  Execution  the  Case  alredy  Commenced 
against  Some  Persons  in  this  town  by  Kingstown  in  Respect  of 
Land  title  or  any  Person  in  this  town  that  may  be  sued,  By 
Kingstown  in  Respect  to  Land  title  upon  the  Cost  and  Charge 
of  the  freeholders  of  this  Town — every  one  to  Pay  his  Propor- 
tion according  to  the  value  of  his  Land  Calling  it  as  wild  or 
unimproved  Land 

2nd  Voted  that  those  Persons  that  Settled  under  Kingstown 
title  are  free‘s  and  Excluded  from  Paying  any  Part  of  the  above 
Said  Cost  & Charge. 

The  Committee  Chosen  to  Carry  on  any  Case  in  Law  against 
Kingstown  are  Lieut  Peter  Morss  NatlF*  Heath  John  Webster 
John  Muzzey  and  EbeiF  Gile. 

Hampstead  October  24**^  1768 

A True  Copy 

Peter  Eastman 


C5-7]  [ Votes  in  Tow7t  Meetmg  7'elative  to  Kingston  Claims^ 

yydo.] 

Hampstead  SepF  1760 

This  Day  a meeting  is  Held  Pursuant  to  a warrant  from  the 
Select  men  of  this  Town  and  the  following  things  were  voted 
(viz) 

i®‘  Voted  to  Give  twelve  Hundred  Pounds  old  tenor  to  Kings- 
town Proprietors  for  a Settlement  with  them  in  Respect  of 
their  Claims,  in  this  Town. 

3«d  Voted  to  free  those  Persons  that  Settled  under  Kingstown 
Title  from  any  Charge  in  Said  agreement  with  Kingstown, 


) Town 
) Clerk 


88 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Hampstead  Sepf  19*^  1760 


At  a meeting  held  this  Day  Persuant  to  an  Adjournment  of 
the  above  meeting  the  Town  Voted  to  Give  the  Proprietors  of 
Kingstown  three  thousand  Pounds  old  tenor  to  Quit  their 
Claims  to  all  the  Lands  in  this  town  that  was  settled  under 
Haverhill  & Amsbury  title.  Voted  Likewise  to  bare  half  the 
Charges  in  Gitting  a Grant  of  the  new  township  which  was 
Propos*^  to  them. 

Hampstead  October  24^^  1768 
A True  Copy 


at  a leagal  Meeting  held  this  Day  (by  the  free  holders  of 
Hampstead  that  Settled  under  Haverhill  & amesbury  Title)  by 
vartue  of  a warrant  from  the  select  men  of  this  Town  The  fol- 
lowing things,  were  Voted,  (viz) 

John  Webster  Moderator 
John  Muzzev  Chosen  Clerk  for  Said  meeting 
This  meeting  is  adjourn‘d  to  monday  the  23*^  of  this  instant 
febr-"^  at  one  oClock  in  the  after  noon. 

Febr-^  23^  at  the  adjournment  of  the  above  said  meeting  it 
was  voted  as  followeth 

I voted  to  Raise  the  three  thousand  Pounds  old  tenor  form- 
erly voted  to  Give  to  Kingstown  Clamers,  of  Land  in  Hamp- 
stead for  their  Claims,  in  said  Hampstead  : Providing  they  Give 
us.  the  Deed  alreadv  sig^ned  bv  a number  of  said  Clamers  : and 
Likewise  Give  sufficient  Bonds  to  Defend  us  against  any  that 
may  hereafter  Chalenge  Land  in  Hampstead  under  a Kings- 
town Clame. 

2^’  voted  that  John  ]Muzzev  Leiut  Edmond  ]Morss  and  John 
^lills  be  a Committee  to  Take  a valueation  of  the  Land  in 
Hampstead  belonging  to  the  above  said  freeholders  : and  assess 
the  above  Said  monev  and  for  Defraying  the  Charges  of  the 
Settlement  with  Kingstown 

March  2i®‘  176S  A True  Coppy 


At  a Leagal  meeting  held  this  Day  by  the  freeholders  of 


Peter  Eastman 


[5-8]  [ Votes  of  To"Jun  relative  to  Kingston  Claims^  zyd/.] 

Hampstead  February  9*^  1767 


Clerk 
for  said 


) meeting 


[5-9]  [ Co77i7nittee  appointed  to  settle  with  Kingsto7i^  //dy.] 

Hampstead  Dec*"  8*^  i7^7 


HAMPSTEAD. 


89 


the  Town  of  Hampstead,  that  settled  under  Haverhill  and 
Almsbury  title  Pursuant  to  a warrant  from  the  Select  men  of 
said  Town  the  following  votes  were  Past 

I voted  that  John  Webster  Esq*"  John  Muzzey  Benj*^  Kimball 
& Jesse  Johnson,  Be  a Committee  to  Give  security  (to  Kings- 
town Clamers)  for  the  three  thousand  Pounds  old  tenor  that  was 
formerly  voted  to  Give  them  for  their  Claims  in  Hampstead. 

2'^  voted  that  the  above  said  Committee,  shall  apply  to  the 
General  Court  to  be  enabled  to  Colect  the  Rate  that  is  allready 
assesst  in  order  to  Compleat  the  agreement  with  Kingstown 
Clamers. 

A True  Coppy  of  those  Purticuler  votes  Exam‘S  & attested 

John  Muzzey  Clerk. 


[5-10]  \^Relative  to  the  Settlement  of  Kingston  Dispute^ 

77(55.] 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*'  Govenor  and  Com- 
mander in  Chieff  in  and  over  His  Majestys  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  & to  the  Hoif®  his  Majestys  Councel  and  House 
of  Representatives  Convean*^  in  General  assembly  for  Said 
Province — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  in  behalf  of  the  freehold- 
ers of  the  Town  of  Hampstead  Humbly  Sheweth  That  Where 
as  there  has  Been  an  unhappy  Dispute  Long  Subsisting  Be- 
tween the  freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Hampstead  (who  hold 
their  Lands  in  said  Hamps*^  under  the  ancient  Grants  of  Haver- 
hill & Almsbury)  and  the  Proprietors  of  Kingstown  and  others 
Claming  under  them  : Respecting  the  title  of  Land  within  said 
Hampstead  : and  to  Settle  this  unhappy  Debate  ; the  said  free- 
holders of  Hampstead  have  Past  a vote  to  Give  the  agriev*^ 
Party  Claming  said  Land  under  Kingstown  the  sum  of  three 
thousand  Pounds  old  tenor  Equal  to  one  Hundred  & fifty  Pounds 
Lawfull  money  ; and  Likewise  to  be  at  one  half  the  Charge  of 
Gitting  a Tonship  Granted  in  order  to  Give  to  the  Said  agriev*^ 
Partv  for  their  Clames  in  Hamps*^  and  it  hath  Pleas‘d  His  Excel- 
lency our  former  Govenor  to  Grant  a Township  by  the  name  of 
Unitv  ; that  there  misfht  be  an  ammicable  Settlement  made  be- 
tween  the  Contending  Parties  ; Now  the  agreiv*^  Party  Claming 
under  Kingstown  has  Recc*^  a Deed  of  the  Township  of  Unity 
from  the  Grantees  of  it  and  have  taken  the  same  in  Part  of  the 
above  said  Settlement,  and  now  the  one  Hundred  & fifty  Pounds 
yet  Remains  to  be  Paid  to  Compleat  the  agreement ; and  al- 
though the  money  be  assess^  for  the  Payment  of  the  above  said 
sum  and  for  Defraying  the  Charges  ; agreeable  to  a vote  of  said 


90 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


freeholders,  yet  we  suppose  that  we  have  not  Power  to  Colect 
the  same  or  any  ones  Purportion  that  Refuses  to  Pay  it ; which 
there  is  maney  ; Some  have  farms  or  tracts  of  Land  in  said 
Hampstead  and  Live  out  of  this  Province  ; and  others  are  Late 
Purchessers  and  are  unwilling  to  Pay  their  Purportion  unless 
they  Can  Come  Back  upon  their  Warrantees,  for  Damage  as 
being  an  incumbrance  upon  the  Land  when  they  Bought  it. 
So  that  we  Labour  under  a Great  Difficulty  and  Cannot  finish 
the  agreement.  Therefore  the  Prayer  of  your  Petitioners,  is 
that  your  Excellency  and  Honnours  would  be  Pleased  to  Take 
our  unhappy  Case  under  your  Wise  Consideration  and  Grant 
us  Power  to  Colect  the  above  said  assessment  as  in  your  Wis- 
dom Shall  be  thought  most  Proper.  So  that  these  unhappy 
Disputes  which  have  subsisted  above  thirty  years  may  be 
brought  to  a final  and  Happy  End. 

And  your  Huiffi®  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever 
Pray. 

Dated  at  Hampstead  February  3*^  1768 

John  Webster 
John  Muzzey 
Ben^"  Kimball 
Natffi^  Heath 
Jesse  Johnson. 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  24,  1769,  voted  that  the  petitioners 
have  liberty  to  bring  in  a bill  to  enable  them  to  collect  said 
assessment. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-40]  \_Elijah  Heath^ s Account^  //do.] 

Province  of  New  Hampshire,  Hampstead  January  21®*  1760: 
I the  subscriber  namely  Elijah  Heath  being  a souldier  in  Col* 
Lovewel  Rigement  under  Capt  Todd  ; and  as  I was  going  to 
osswago  I lost  my  Gunn  going  over  the  fauls  it  fell  out  of  a 
batto 

Elijah  Heath 

Sworn  to  before  Daniel  Little,  Dismissed. 


[R.  2-41]  [ William  Heathy  Jr Soldier^  //do.] 

[William  Heath,  Jr.,  in  a petition  dated  Hampstead,  Jan. 
18,  1760,  says  he  was  “a  soldier  under  Capt.  John  Hazzen 
in  CoP  Harts  Rigiment,”  that  he  had  his  gun  stolen  coming 
home,  and  wants  pay  for  it.  His  petition  was  “ dismissed.” 
—Ed.] 


HAMPSTEAD. 


91 


[R.3  -43]  \^Be7ijamin  Morse ^ Soldier^  1^/62. 

[In  a petition  addressed  to  the  governor  and  assembly, 
Jan.  4,  1763,  Peter  Morss,  of  Hampstead,  says,  “Your  Pe- 
titioner had  a Son  a Minor  in  the  service  of  this  Province 
in  Col°  John  Goff’s  Regiment  & Cap^  John  Hazzens  Com- 
pany in  the  year  1762  at  Crown  Point that  his  said  son 
was  taken  sick  on  the  way  home  at  the  house  of  Alexander 
Robbe  in  Peterborough.  He  presented  a bill  for  care  and 
expense  of  getting  him  home,  amounting  to  ^£34,  12,  o — 
and  was  allowed  eight  shillings  and  six  pence  sterling. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-43]  S^yoJin  Sawyer^  Soldier  of  the  Rhode  Island  Ex- 

■peditio7iJ\ 

[John  Sawyer,  of  Hampstead,  states  that  he  was  a vol- 
unteer in  Capt.  Jesse  Page’s  company.  Col.  Gale’s  regiment, 
in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition,  and  had  his  horse  stolen 
from  him,  and  wants  the  state  to  pay  13  pounds  10  shill- 
ings. He  was  allowed  ^45,  Nov.  17,  1778. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-44]  S^folin  Eaton's  Petition.^  Soldier^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  & house  of  Representatives  for 
said  State  in  General  assembly  convened  Nov*"  1780. 

The  Petition  of  John  Eaton  of  Hampstead  in  said  state 
Humbly  Sheweth — That  your  Petitioner  engaged  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States  in  Nov’’  1776  as  an  Ensign  in  Capt.  Ben- 
jamin Stones  Company  in  y®  3^^  New  Hampsh’’  Battalion  and 
continued  in  said  Service  until  August  1778?  when  the  circum- 
stances of  your  Petitioners  family  was  such  that  he  was  induced 
to  ask  Liberty  to  Resign,  which  was  granted  and  a Discharge 
obtained,  Dated  Aug*  2^  appear  by  said  Dis- 

charge— 

Wherefore  your  Petitioner  prays  that  he  may  be  allowed 
Depreciation  for  the  Time  he  was  in  said  Service  equal  with 
others  of  like  Rank. 

John  Calfe  in  behalf  said  Petitioner. 
[He  produced  a discharge,  signed  “General  Headquar- 


92 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ters  August  2^  1778,  by  order  of  his  Excellency  the  Com*^ 
in  Chief 

John  Fitzgerald 

V Aide  de  Camp.” — Ed.] 


[5-1 1]  \^Petition  to  be  classed  for  Representative^  77^5.] 

State  of  ) To  the  Honb*®  the  General  Court  for  Said  State 
Newhamp*'®  j convened  at  Concord  octo*"  19*^  i7^5 — 

Humbly  Shews  the  Subscribers  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Hampstead  : That  the  General  Court  for  Said  State  in  the  year 
1783  in  Classing  the  Several  Towns  that  were  not  constitution- 
ally entitled  to  a Representative  Left  the  Town  of  Hampstead 
unclassed  which  has  occasioned  our  not  being  Represented  un- 
der the  new  Constitution,  and  your  Petitioners  esteeming  it  a 
great  priveledge  to  be  Represeted  in  the  Gineral  Court,  but  not 
wishing  to  add  to  the  public  expences  by  adding  to  the  num- 
ber of  Representatives  and  being  informed  by  some  of  the  In- 
habitants of  plastow  & Atkinson  that  they  are  willing  that 
Hampstead  should  be  Classed  with  them  Therefore  pray  that 
your  Honours  would  appoint  a day  of  hearing  on  this  our  Peti- 
tion and  Call  on  the  Towns  of  Plastow  and  atkinson  to  shew 
Cause,  if  any  they  have  why  the  said  three  Towns  may  not  be 

made  one  Class  for  Representation 

and  your  Petitioners  as  bound  shall  pray. 


Abner  Rogers 
Edward  Greeley 
Micaj^  Little 
Jonathan  Little 
David  Dexter 
Ebnzer  Coops 
Noah  Johnson 
Abner  Sawyer 


Timothy  Goodwin 
John  Harriman 
Caleb  Webster 
Amos  Clark 
John  Richardson 
William  Richardson 
Eliphalet  Davis 
Ephraim  Hutchins 


Joseph  Webster 
Daniel  Little 
John  Brown 
Levi  Hildreth 
Joseph  Noyes 
Heze^  Hutchins 


[5-2] 


[A  nother  petition  of  the  same  tenor  and  date  contains 
the  following  names  : — Ed.] 


James  Brown 
Joseph  Chandler 
John  Bond 
John  Gooden 
Austen  George 


Samuel  Brown 
John  True 
Moses  Little 
John  Adams 
David  Poor 


John  kimball 
Jesse  Johnson 
Jn®  Wiear 
Thomas  emery 
Joshua  H.  Noyes 


HAMPSTEAD. 


93 


Samnel  Johnson 
Junei' 

Samuel  Little 
Thomas  Wadley 
James  Huse 
James  Atwood 
Benjamin  Tuxbury 
Edmund  Eastman 
Ezekiel  Currier 
Jona.  R.  Hale 


Samuel  Johnson 
Amos  mills 
moses  Brown 
Timothy  Stevens 
Andrew  Bryant 
Joseph  Johnson 
Joshua  Eastman 
John  Atwood  Jun 
John  Eaton 
Job  Kent 


Jonathan  Carlton 
Joseph  french 
David  Moulton 
Moses  Atwood 
Robard  Darling 
Jacob  Currier 
James  Shepard 
Thomas  Muzzey 


[5-13] 

[Still  another  bears  the  following  names  : — Ed.] 


Samuel  Johnson 
Nehemiah  Kelley 
John  Brickett 
Thomas  Wadley 
Isaac  Heath 
Moses  Morss 
Samuel  Currier 
Jonathan  Eastman 
Jesse  Heath 
Thomas  Williams 
John  Calfe 


William  Griffin 
Thomas  Emery 
John  Richardson 
Reuben  Harriman 
Jabez  Hart  Jun 
Joseph  Currier 
Henry  Johnson 
Jonathan  George 
Samuel  Currier  Jun 
Joseph  French  Ju 
John  Williams 


Edmund  Morss 
Moses  Emery 
Walter  Little 
Moses  Richardson 
Joseph  Noyes  Jun 
William  Moulton 
Joseph  Chase 
Benjamin  Kimball 
Abraham  Johnson 
BarthoL  Heath 
Peter  Morss 


[The  town  of  Atkinson  opposed  the  foregoing  petition — 
see  Vol.  XI,  page  132.  Hampstead  petitioned  the  next 
year  for  the  privilege  of  sending  one  by  themselves,  which 
was  granted. — Ed.] 


[5-14]  \^Petitio7i  relative  to  Paper  Money ^ etc.^  ij86.^ 

State  of  New  ) To  the  HonN  General  Court  for  said  state  to  be 
Hampshire  > conveaned  at  Concord  on  the  first  Wednes- 
) day  of  June  Instant — 

Humbly  Shews 

The  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  Hampstead  in  the 
County  of  Rockingham  in  said  state  that  your  petitioners  La- 
bour under  many  & very  great  Difficulties  on  account  of  the 
great  scarcity  of  a Circulating  medium  of  trade  also  great  un- 
easiness has  arisen  in  the  minds  of  your  petitioners  and  many 
others  on  account  of  a Claim  Lately  made  to  the  uncultivated 
Lands  within  this  state  and  as  Your  Honours  are  the  guardieans 


94 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


of  the  Rights  and  priviledges  of  the  people  and  as  we  have  no 
other  regular  way  of  redress  that  your  Honours  would  take  our 
case  under  your  wise  Consideration  and  grant  us  releaf  by  act- 
ing on  the  following  particulars 

iHy  that  yould  not  allow  those  persons  purchesers  of  the  Al- 
len Claim  so  called  any  part  of  their  Claim  within  this  state 
3'^ly  that  not  any  of  those  persons  that  are  purchesors  of  said 
Allens  Claim  hold  any  Commision  of  profit  or  Honour  within 
this  state  for  the  space  of  one  year 

3*^ly  that  the  General  Court  take  up  the  matter  Respecting  the 
Masionan  title  to  certain  Lands  in  this  state  which  we  think  their 
title  is  not  Good  and  that  those  Lands  Claimed  by  them  be  Con- 
verted to  the  use  of  said  state. 

4‘’^ly  that  there  might  be  a Bank  of  paper  money  made  to  Re- 
deem this  states  security 

5ly  that  the  General  Court  petition  Congress  to  Redeem  the 
Continental  paper  Currency  that  is  in  the  treasury  in  this  state 
the  same  being  more  than  our  proportion  of  the  same. 

61y  that  the  ports  & Harbours  in  this  state  be  opened  and  a 
free  trade  for  all  Except  Refugees. 

Hampstead  June  1786 — 


Joseph  French 
Joseph  Conner 
John  Leach 
Austein  George 
Jon“  R.  Hale 
Ben^“  Kimball 
Isaac  Kimball 
Jonathan  Eastman 
Joseph  Kimball 
Peter  Eastman 
John  Kimball 
John  Eaton 
Samuel  Kelley 
John  Colby 
Joshua  H.  Noyes 
Samuel  Johnson 
Nehemiah  Kelley 
Samuel  Johnson  Ju 
Timothy  Goodwin 
John  Harriman 
John  Brown 


Amos  Clark 
Bartholomew  Heath 
Jesse  Heath 
Thomas  williams 
Joshua  Corliss 
John  Harriman  Jur 
John  Atwod 
James  Atwood 
David  Moulton 
James  Huse 
Timothy  Stevens 
Beniamin  Tuxbury 
Joseph  Johnson 
Joseph  French  ju 
moses  Atwood 
David  Poor 
John  Darling 
John  Atwood 
Andrew  Grant 
Willi"’  moulton 
Moses  Wadley 


Job  Kent 
moses  Brown 
Reuben  harriman 
David  Dexter 
Joseph  Noyes 
John  Richardson 
Eliphalet  Davis 
moses  Richardson 
H.  Hutchins 
Joseph  merrick 
Jonathan  Little 
William  Richardson 
Ebenezer  Copp 
Parker  Stevens 
Ezekiel  Currier 
Peter  morse 
Watts  Emerson 
Benjamen  Emerson 
Jn"  Wiear 


[For  legislative  action  on  the  paper  money  question,  see 
Atkinson  Papers,  Vol.  XI. — Ed.] 


HAMPSTEAD. 


95 


[5-15]  \^Relative  to  Revolutionary  Matters 
State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hoif  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  convened — 

The  Petition  and  Alemorial  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampstead 
in  said  state  to  your  Honours  respectfully  sheweth — That  early 
in  the  late  war  with  great  Britain  your  Memorialists  not  only 
willing  to  comply  with  every  requisition  of  the  HonN  Legislat- 
ure, but  anxious  to  have  their  quota  of  men  in  the  field,  gave  to 
several  persons  considerable  sums  of  money  over  and  above 
what  the  public  promised  as  an  inducement  to  engage  in  the 
defence  of  the  Country — amongst  others  they  hired  one  Brad- 
ley Richards  to  serve  three  years  in  the  Continental  army  and 
paid  him  therefor  Thirty  pounds  besides  promising  to  take  care 
of  and  supply  his  family  in  his  absence  which  they  did  to  the 
amount  of  upwards  of  twelve  pounds  more  than  he  left  money 
with  them  to  make  provision  with — That  before  said  term  ex- 
pired the  Army  Petitioned  the  General  Court  to  have  the  de- 
preciation of  the  then  paper  currency  made  up  to  them  which 
said  Court  agreed  to  do  on  the  following  conditions,  namely, 
that  all  supplies  Gratuities  Town  Bounties  &c  should  be  allow- 
ed in  part  satisfaction  for  the  depreciation  and  accordinglv  or- 
dered the  Several  Towns  to  charge  the  state  with  the  Sums  by 
them  advanced  as  bounties  or  Supplies,  as  may  be  seen  by  a 
Resolve  of  the  Legislature  of  the  26“"  of  March  1779  in  order 
that  each  Town  in  the  state  might  bear  an  equal  proportion 
according  to  their  proportioned  value  and  also  to  reward  the 
volunteer  in  as  full  and  ample  a manner  as  the  hired  Soldier — 
That  in  consequence  of  the  method  pursued  b}'’  the  Legislature 
there  was  with-held  from  the  said  Bradley  Richards  the  Sum 
of  forty  two  pounds  and  upwards  of  the  depreciation  that  would 
have  been  his  due  had  not  the  Town  paid  him  said  Sum — That 
afterwards  (to  wit)  Jan.  1782  an  Act  passed  the  Legislat- 
ure which  entitled  the  Several  Towns  to  receive  the  Sums  by 
them  advanced — That  the  said  Richards  has  now  brousfht  an 
Action  against  your  Memorialists  for  said  Sum  of  forty  two 
pounds  and  upwards  for  money  had  and  received  which  if  he 
should  recover  it  would  open  a door  by  which  every  Soldier 
Similarly  circumstanced  might  recover  what  has  been  stopped 
out  of  their  depreciation  on  account  of  the  Sums  to  them  sever- 
ally advanced  by  Towns  and  Individuals  which  would  intirely 
frustrate  the  righteous  design  of  the  Legislature  and  leave  the 
burden  upon  such  Towns  as  were  foremost  in  the  cause  while 
Towns  that  did  not  exert  themselves  nor  procure  any  Soldiers 


96 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


but  such  as  enlisted  for  the  public  bounties  only  would  go  free 
of  any  part  of  said  burden. 

Your  Memorialists  taking  the  matter  into  consideration  & 
knowing  that  hundreds  if  not  thousands,  of  Actions  might  be 
commenced  on  the  same  footing  which  might  occasion  much 
uneasiness  in  the  state  and  also  knowing  that  Several  persons 
have  been  busy  in  procuring  at  small  expence  powers  to  recov- 
er said  sums  thus  deducted  from  the  soldiers  depreciation, 
thought  fit  to  state  the  matter  to  your  Honours,  not  knowing, 
but  that  you  in  your  wisdom  would  think  proper  to  interpose 
so  far  as  to  point  out  some  method  of  relief  whereby  vour  Peti- 
tioners and  others  in  Similar  circumstances  may  be  saved  harm- 
less, or  point  out  such  remedy  as  to  your  Honours  shall  appear 
most  agreable  for  which  Interposition  of  your  Honours,  your 
Petitioners  at  this  time  pray  &c 

John  Hogg 

in  behalf  of  said  Inhabitants 


[5-18]  \_Petition  for  a Magistrate^  i'/88.~\ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  the  Hon'’*®  the  Council  of  the 

state  of  New  Hampshire — 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers  freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Hampstead  in  said  State  in  behalf  of  themselves 
& others  Humbly  shew 

That  the  Hon*’*®  John  Calfe  of  said  Hampstead  Esq’’  is  the 
only  person  Commissioned  as  a Justice  of  the  peace  in  said 
Town — that  he  is  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  common 
Please  in  the  County  of  Rockingham  and  sustains  other  public 
offices  & appointments  in  said  state  which  Occasions  his  being 
absent  from  said  Town  a great  part  of  the  Time  By  means 
whereof  the  good  People  in  said  Town  & the  vicinity  thereof 
often  labour  under  great  difficulties  & embarrasments  in  trans- 
acting their  business,  for  want  of  some  other  suitable  person 
being  appointed  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  peace  in  said 
Town — That  the  subscribers  are  fully  sensible  it  is  not  their 
Constitutional  right  to  nominate  or  appoint  a person  to  that 
office  yet  they  entertain  Such  an  opinion  of  the  Candor  & good 
intention  of  your  Excellency  & Honours  that  it  is  only  neces- 
sary for  you  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  wishes  and  real 
interest  of  the  Citizens  of  this  state  to  ensure  your  favorable  at- 
tention— The  subscribers  therefore  take  the  liberty  to  mention 
as  their  opinion  that  Major  Edmund  Moores,  of  said  Hampstead 
is  a Gentleman  well  quallified  for  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
peace,  and  would  give  great  satisfaction  to  the  most  reputable 


HAMPSTEAD. 


97 


part  of  his  acquaintance  and  would  render  service  to  the  people 
in  this  vicinity  & do  honor  to  himself  & those  that  should  ap- 
point him — much  might  be  said  in  favor  of  this  Gentlemans 
quallifications  and  Character  in  life  da  respecting  the  services  he 
has  rendered  his  Country  in  the  day  of  tribulation  but  as  the 
subscribers  have  already  trespassed  on  the  patience  of  your  Ex- 
cell^  & Hon*'® — 

Therefore  only  beg  leave  to  request  that  the  said  Edmund 
Moores  may  be  appointed  & Commissioned  a Justice  of  the 
peace  for  the  County  of  Rockingham  and  as  in  duty  Bound  will 
Pray 

Hampstead  May  1788 

we  also  pray  that  Thomas  Muzzey 
who  we  hear  is  Petition‘d  for  may  not 
be  appointed  a Justice  of  the  peace 


Hezd^  Hutchins 

• 

Samuel  Brown 
Ebez''  Copp 
David  Dexter 
Moses  Little 
Thomas  Reed 
John  Brown 
Nathan  Goodwin 
Caleb  Adams 
moses  Richardson 
John  Atwod 
John  Kimball 
Nehemiah  Kelly 


John  True 
Daniel  Little 
Micajah  Little 
Thomas  Emery 
Jabez  Hoit 
Samuel  Little 
David  Poor 
Austein  George 
Joseph  French 
Timothy  Goodwin 
William  Richardson 
James  Huse 
Joshua  H.  Noyes 


John  Richardson 
Watts  Emerson 
Abner  Rogers 
Job  Kent 

Beniamin  Tuxbury 
Nathan  Hadley 
Joseph  merrick 
Joseph  Noyes 
Joseph  Noyes  Jun 
Amos  Howard 
Samuel  Kelley 


[5~^9]  \^CertiJicate  of  Nails  made^  7/pz.] 

State  of  New  Hamp*'®  ] To  his  Excellency  Josiah  Bartlett  Esq’^ 
Rockingham  ss.  j President  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp’’® 

These  certify  that  James  Shepherd  of  Hampstead  has  made 
it  to  appear  to  us  the  Subscribers  that  he  has  bona  fide  made 
and  caused  to  be  made  one  hundred  thousand  of  Six  penny  nails 
in  his  work  shop  in  said  Town  since  the  Certificate  given  in  his 
favour  the  last  year — 

W”'  marshall 
Tho®  Muzzey 
John  True 

Hampstead  June  27*^^  1791* 

John  Calfe  Jus*  Peace 

9 


Selectmen 
( for  Hampstead 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


98 


[5-20]  \^Certificate  of  Nails  made^  i'/g2.~\ 


These  certify  that  Dudley  Kimbal  of  Hampstead  has  made 


sand  of  six  penny  wrought  Nails,  as  he  has  made  appear  to  us 
the  Subscribers 


Hampstead  February  6*^  i79^ 

Attest  Tho®  IMuzzey  Jus^  Peace 

To  his  Excellency 
Josiah  Bartlett  Esq*"  President 
of  New  Hampshire. 


These  Certify  that  James  Shepherd  of  Hampstead  has  made 
and  caused  to  be  made  in  his  w^ork  shop  in  said  Town  one  hun- 
dred thousand  of  four  penny  wrought  nails,  as  he  has  made  ap- 
pear to  us,  the  Subscribers  since  he  obtained  a former  Certifi- 


Hampstead  Jan  17*^  ^79^ 


Attest  John  Calfe  Jus‘  Peace 

To  his  Excellency 
Josiah  Bartlett  Esq*"  President 
of  New  Hampshire. 


sand  of  Ten  penny  Nails  & Two  hundred  Thousand  of  Six 
Penny  Nails  and  one  hundred  Thousand  of  four  penny  wrought 
Nails,  as  he  has  made  to  appear  to  us  the  Subscribers 

Hampstead  February  6^^  i79^ 


Attest  Tho®  Muzzey  Just.  Peace 

To  his  Excellency  Josiah  Bartlett  Esq*" 
President  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire 


and  caused  to  be  made  in  his  work  Shop  one  hundred  Thou- 


attest 


C5-21] 


cate  from  the  select  men  of  Hampstead  for  making  nails 


Attest 


[5-22] 


This  Certifies  that  Edmond  Morss  of  Hampstead  has  Made 
and  caused  to  be  made  in  his  work  Shop  Two  hundred  thou- 


Attest 


HAMPTON. 


99 


HAMPTON. 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the  state,  and  origi- 
nally included  the  territory  which  now  constitutes  the  towns 
of  Hampton  P'alls,  North  Hampton,  Kensington,  and  Sea- 
brook.  It  was  formerly  a place  of  considerable  importance 
in  the  fishery  business  and  in  ship-building,  and  for  some 
years  past  its  beaches  have  been  much  resorted  to  in  sum- 
mer by  persons  seeking  health  or  pleasure.  Settlements 
were  made  as  early  as  1638,  the  place  at  that  time  being 
called  Winnicumet.  The  present  name  was  given  by  the 
general  court  of  Massachusetts  in  1639.  It  was  “ allowed 
to  be  a town  and  hath  power  to  choose  a constable  and 
other  officers,”  June  6,  1639,  ^7  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts, which  claimed  jurisdiction  over  it. 

Considerable  matter  relative  to  the  early  history  of 
Hampton  may  be  found  in  Vol.  I of  this  series. 

The  south  part  of  the  township  petitioned,  in  December, 
1709,  for  parish  privileges,  which  not  being  granted  they 
petitioned  again  in  May,  1710,  and  were  virtually  success- 
ful, so  far  as  related  to  ministerial  purposes.  (Vol.  HI,  p. 
428.) 

North  Hill  parish  was  set  off  November  17,  1738,  and 
incorporated  into  the  town  of  North  Hampton  November 
26,  1742. 

Considerable  dispute  arose  at  sundry  times  relative  to 
boundary  lines  between  this  and  other  towns,  and  docu- 
ments concerning  the  matter  may  be  found  in  a volume 
entitled  “ Town  Boundaries  ” in  the  office  of  the  secretary 
of  state. 


[4—173]  \_Depositions  relating  to  Boundary  Line  between 
Ha7npton  and  Portsmouth^  i66gd\ 

The  deposition  of  Thomas  Marston  aged  about  52  years  & of 
william  ffifeild  aged  about  55  years 

These  Depon‘®  do  testifie  y‘  about  y®  yeare  1654  when  m’' 
Seth  fffetcher  lived  in  Hampton  wee  y®  s*^  depon*®  w’ere  ap- 
pointed to  treat  with  Cap‘  Bryan  Pendleton  & John  Pickerin 
in  y®  behalfe  of  y®  towne  of  Portsmouth  concerning  y®  setling 
of  y®  bounds  betwixt  Hampton  & Portsmouth  by  y®  Sea  side  & 
wee  y®  s*^  depon‘®  mett  y®  men  abovsd  & shewed  them  y®  power 


100 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


wee  had  to  act  by  & they  shewed  us  their  power  w*^^  was  full 
& ample  for  y®  ends  abovsd  ; but  y®  s^  Cap*  Pendleton  & John 
Pickerin  sen’’  did  question  y®  power  given  to  us  by  y®  town  of 
Hampton  not  to  bee  suffitient  for  y®  attaining  all  y®  ends  intend- 
ed, whereupon  y®  s'*  Cap*  Pendleton  & John  Pickerin  staid  att 
Hampton  untill  wee  obtained  a meeting  of  y®  Select  men  & had 
full  power  to  act  in  y®  behalfe  of  y®  towne  of  Hampton  & then 
wee  y®  s'*  Tho  : Marston  & william  ffifeild  did  treat  w**^  y®  s'* 
Cap*  Pendleton  & John  Pickerin  & after  a treaty  wee  did  agree, 
& conclude  & all  hands  y*  Hampton  bounds  should 

begin  to  measure  to  y®  northward  of  y®  Casway  y*  goeth 

over  to  y®  beache  & from  miles  norward  neare  y®  sea 

side — 

Testified  upon  oath  by  Thomas  Marston  & Willi  : ffifeild  y* 
ninth  of  March  1669  before  mee  Sam**  Dalton  Com  miss 

Sworn  before  y®  Court  held  at  Salisbury  y®  29**^  of  Aprill 
1673  by  adjornm* 

vera  Copia  per  mee  Tho  : Bradbury  rec'* 

as  attests  Tho  : Bradbury  rec'* 

And  Thomas  Marston  & John  Samborn  seiP  doe  farther  tes- 
tifie  that  y®  next  day  after  y®  agreem*  that  y®  s'*  line  was  meas- 
ured, by  Cap*  Pendleton  & Tho  : Marston  & John  Samborne,  & 
y®  s'*  line  ended  on  y®  north  Side  of  Jocelins  Neck  where 
wee  sett  up  a stake  & layd  stones  & finished  y®  s'*  bounds  ac- 
cording to  y®  agreem*  under  there  hands 

Testified  upon  oath  y®  9**'  i®*  m°  1669  before  mee 

Sam**  Dalton  Comissr 

Sworn  before  y®  Court  held  att  Salisbury  y®  29**^  Aprill ; 1673 
by  Adjournment  as  attested 

This  is  a true  as  attested  Tho  : Bradbury  rec'* 

[The  original  manuscript  is  torn,  which  is  the  cause  of 
the  blanks  in  the  foregoing. — Ed.] 


[4-174]  relative  to  Boundary  between  Hampton 

and  Bortsmoutk.^ 

Wee  whose  names  are  under  written  Viz  Bryan  Pendleton  & 
John  Pickering  for  y®  towne  of  Portsmouth  N.  E.  &c  & Willi ; 
ffifeild  w**'  Tho  : Marston  for  y®  towne  of  Hampton  have  ac- 
cording to  power  given  by  y®  severall  towns  to  debate  agree  & 
determine  about  & concerning  a line  to  divide  between  y®  afore- 
said towns  upon  y®  Seaside  & y®  extent  thereof. 

Wee  y®  above  named  persons  do  consent  & agree  y*  y®  afores'* 
town  of  Hampton  shall  begin  at  y®  Cawsway  lying  Eastward 


HAMPTON. 


lOI 


from  y®  said  towne  towards  Pascataway  ten  rod  distance  from 
y®  said  Cawsway  there  to  begin  & runn  five  miles  upon  as 
direct  a line  as  may  bee,  keeping  neare  unto  y®  common  way  : 
The  w®^  line  being  runn  ended  on  y®  Edg  of  Jocelins  neck  on 
y®  north  side  ; the  said  neck  is  y®  next  to  y®  northward  of  y® 
long  stony  beach  Bryan  Pendleton 

The  marke  of  Jn°  (A)  Pickering 
Will : Ififeild 
Tho  : Marston 

This  is  a true  copie  as  it  stands  recorded  in  y®  Booke  of 
records  for  Norfolke  pa  : (46)  as  attests 

Tho  : Bradbury  rec 

It  was  recorded  as  appears  by  y®  booke  between  y®  12^^  m° 
1655  & y®  24*^  of  y®  said  m®  : Tho  : Bradbury  rec 

The  deposition  of  Major  Bryan  Pendleton  aged  about  70 
years  ; This  depon*  saith  that  hee  with  Jn®  Pickering  was  im- 
powered  by  y®  towne  of  Portsm®  (but  whither  by  y®  select  men 
or  y®  whole  towne  hee  doth  not  att  present  remember)  to  de- 
bate agree  & determine,  not  as  arbytrators,  but  being  sent  by 
y®  town  according  to  an  act  of  y®  geifi^  Court  about  & concern- 
ing a line  to  divide  between  y®  afores^  towns  upon  y®  seaside  & 
y®  extent  thereof,  & y‘  y®  above  written  was  our  determination 
& further  saith  [not] 

Sworn  y®  5*^  m®  1669  before  mee 
Elais  Stileman  Commiss'" 

Entered  & recorded  in  y®  County  records  for  Norfolke  (lib  : 
2 : pa  145)  y®  5 m®  1669  as  attests 

Tho  : Bradbury  rec 


[4-178]  \^Election  of  Assemblymen^  /dp/.] 

According  to  a warrant  by  me  Received  from  Richard  Jose 
Esq"^  High  Shereft' for  the  province  of  New  Hampshire  for  to 
convene  the  fireholders  together  upon  this  day  being  the  27^^  of 
September  1692  to*  choose  three  ffitt  and  discrett  men  to  serve 
as  Assembly  men  the  ftree  holders  mett  accordingly  and  made 
choyce  of 

Left  John  Smith  Joseph  Smith  & John  Hussy 
to  serve  as  assembly  men  according  to  sayd  warrant 

As  Attests  timothy  hillyard 

Constable  of  Hampton 


102 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-' 79]  [ Vote  relative  to  granting  New  Town^  Kingston,, 

i6q4.'\ 

Att  a legall  meeting  of  the  ffreholders  of  y®  towne  of  Hamp- 
ton May  17  1694 

2'^'  It  was  voted  that  Capt"  Henry  Dow  should  goe  to  New 
Castell : the  i8‘''  of  this  instant  month  in  the  behalf  of  the  towne 
to  the  Honorable  left"*  Governor  and  Councell  in  obedience  to 
an  order  Received  barring  date  the  15**^  instant  to  manifest  the 
towns  earnest  desire  that  no  township  may  be  granted  to  any 
persons  to  come  within  Seaven  miles  of  Hampton  meeting 
House  westward  upon  a streight  Line 

Voted  James  Prescott  Senior  appearing  at  the  meeting  in  the 
behalf  of  said  petitioners  did  consent  to  this  voat  above, 
vera  copia  taken  out  of  Hampton  Towne  Booke 

As  Attest  Henry  Dow  Clerk 


[4-180]  \_Kisbursej?ients for  Soldiers,,  i6g4,~\ 

Hampton  Acc**  Disbursm*®  lo*’*'  1694 

To  Souldiers  at  oysteriver  whose  wages 
as  per  perticular  Acc*  allowed  4 m° 
allowed  to  Capt  Dow  for  subsistance  of 
Sould*"®  at  the  Fort  3 b*’*®  Ind  Come 
To  horse  & man  to  bring  s'*  Come 
Hen  : Green  Jun*"  for  ^ m"  service  at  his  grandfath* 
To  Jonathan  Marston  2 da}^s  service  Do, 

To  m’’  Hen  : Green  SeiF  to  subsistance  of 
sold*" : 17  : days 

To  Ephraim  Marston  going  post  from  Hampton 
Boston 

To  JiP  Tuck  for  his  horse  for  s'*  Marston 
To  Dan*  Tilton  for  bringing  letter  to  New  Castle  I 
that  came  from  Boston  &C  j 

To  Cap*  Dow  for  quartering  Massachusetts  souF  ) 
acc*  as  one  man  13  weeks  fz  at  3®  per  j 

To  Cap*  Dow  for  a man  & 2 horses  for  the  Cap*  of 
the  Massachusetts  sould*"®  to  Portsm'’ 


470- 

8,  0 

0, 

9,  0 

0, 

2,  0 

0, 

12,  0 

0, 

2,  0 

0, 

6,  6 

to 

0, 

14,  0 

0, 

8,  0 

0, 

4,  0 

2, 

0,  6 

0, 

4,  0 

5’ 

2,  0 

[4-181]  \_Selectmen  about  a New  Town,,  16^4.,^ 

Pursuant  to  an  order  from  the  Lieu*  Gove’'  and  Councill 
Baren  datte  the  ii**’  of  may  1694  to  the  Select  men  of  Hampton 


HAMPTON. 


103 


Consarning  A purtishon  presented  to  the  Lieu*  Gover^  and 
Counsel  Consarning  the  plantten  of  A new  Planttaion  And  we 
the  Select  men  are  bound  up  by  the  Towne  nayther  to  give  A 
way  Lande  nor  to  Enter  Change  Lande  with  aney  men  therfor 
we  the  Select  men  cante  doe  nothen  Consaren  Lande  with  out 
the  advice  of  the  Towne 

May  14**^  1694 

Samuel  Dow  by  order  and  in  the 
behalf  of  the  Select  men  of  Hampton 


[4-182]  \^Election  of  Asse^nblyinen^  i6g4.^ 

Att  a legall  meeting  of  the  ffreeholders  of  the  Towne  of 
Hampton  the  29  October  1694. 

lefE*  John  Smith  M*’  Nathaniel  Batchiler  Senior  and  Ens. 
Thomas  Robey  were  chossen  by  the  major  voat  ffor  to  Serve  as 
Assembly  men 

as  attest  Ephraim  marston 
constable  of  hampton 

[4-187  and  188] 

[At  a meeting  held  May  14,  1695,  the  foregoing  three 
men  were  reelected.  December  24.  1697,  Capt.  Henry  Dow, 
Lieut.  John  Smith,  and  Benjamin  Fifield  were  elected. 

“As  Attests  Thomas  Robey  Constable.” — Ed.] 

[4-191] 

[December  26,  1698,  Dow  and  Smith  were  rejected, 
with  Joseph  Swett,  as  certified  by  Henry  Dow,  Ephraim 
Marston,  John  Tucke,  and  John  Gove,  selectmen. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-33]  \^Hampton  Soldiers^  1^95^  i6g6.'\ 

A true  accompt  of  y®  Soldiers  & Provisions  I have  Impresd 
out  of  Hampton  for  his  Majestys  Servise  at  garison  at  oyster 
River  Since  Novemb’'  2*“*  1695  until  ’96* 

£—S.  d 

Novembr  2 ( Sent  to  oyster  River  Caleb  Perkins  28 
j days  and  John.  Nay  28  days  and  found 
[ themselfs  provitions  3,  12,  o 


♦The  year  commenced  in  March,  O.  S. 


104 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Nov  30  f Isaac  Green  28  days  & found  provitions 
( Eben  Gove  28  days 

Decembr  28**^  f Jonathan  Philbrook  28  days 
I Joseph  Cram  28  days 
Janury  25*^  j Chris  Pottell  29  days 
[ Jacob  Clifford  29  days 
Febriff  24  Samuel  Hely  29  days 

Jos  Fanning  sent  y®  same  day  & 
Returned  y®  28*^  being  3 days 
March  23  Sam^^  Shaw  sent  and  sent  whome  y® 
Saiff^  Melsher  sent  whome  y® 
a horse  Impressed  to  carry  y®  Provison 
and  a man 


Joseph  Smith  Capt. 


I,  16, 

0 

I,  04, 

0 

I,  04, 

0 

I,  04, 

0 

I,  04, 

10 

I,  04, 

10 

I,  04, 

10 

0,  05, 

0 

day  0,  05, 

0 

0 

0 

Ca 

0 

p 

0 

0^ 

0 

12, 

06 

This  accoumpt  Compared  by  me 
Dated  Apd  1696. 


John  Woodman  Capt. 


The  accoumpt  of  what  was  ordered  to  Exeter  since  Novem- 
ber 14:  1695  until  96 

£S.—d 

Novembr  14**^  Nath  ffrench  28  days  & Timothy 

Hilyard  28  days  2,  8,  o 

Decembr  12  Joshua  Purington  28  days  & John 

Mason  28  days  2,  08,  o 

January  9*^  Joseph  Swet  28  days  & Joseph  fifield  28 

days  2,  08,  o 

Februry  Moses  Swet  29  days  & Henry  Dow  29 

days  2,  09,  08 

March  6*^  James  Stanyan  28  days  & Will*”  Swain  28 

days  2,  08,  o 

April  3*^  to  y®  27  John  French  4 days  & Sam^  Case  4 

days  o,  08,  o 


Jos : Smith  Capt. 


12,  09,  8 


The  above  accoumpt  Compared  by  me 

Kinsley  Hall  Capt 

a horse  Impresed  for  y®  Post  from  Hampton  to  New  s d 
Castle  bountto  Pemiquid  and  a man  to  bring  him  back  3-  6. 

Dated  ApP  7^*^  1696 


HAMPTON. 


105 


[R.  2-34]  S^Hampton  Men  in  Garrison  at  Exeter^  ^^95', 

i6g6.~\ 

A tru  account  of  what  is  due  to  Hampton  men  for  keeping 
garrison  att  Exeter  ffrom  the  14  of  November  last  to  the  8^^  of 
Aprill  1696 

£.  d 


To  Tho.  Dearborn  Junorone  month 
To  Caleb  Towle  one  month 
To  Ephraim  Marston  and  others  one  month 
To  William  Lane  and  others  one  month 
To  Isaac  Godfrey  and  others  one  month 
To  Samuell  Dearborn  and  others  one  month 
To  Tho  Ward  and  others  one  month 
To  John  Knowls  and  others  one  month 
To  William  Sambourn  and  others  one  month 
To  Jabez  Dow  and  others  one  month 
To  Stev^en  Sambourn  and  others  one  month 
To  Daniel  Wedgewoods  and  other  one  month 
To  James  ffog  and  others  three  weeks  2 day 
To  Ben  Shaw  and  one  more 
To  Sam^  Palmer  one  month 
To  Simon  Dow  and  others  one  month 
To  Jonathan  Marston  and  other  one  month 
To  Ichabod  Robey  & Humprey  Perkins  a day  apiece 
and  sent  home 

To  Robert  Drake  & others  one  month 

To  Daniel  Wedgwood  & others  one  month 
To  Tho  Robey  i week  diet  his  man 
To  two  Samborns  a day  apiece  sent  home  ) 
firom  Richard  Hiltons  j 


I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
1 — 4 — o 
I — o — o 

0- i  2 — o 

1 —  4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
I — 4 — o 

0— 3—0 

1 —  4 — o 
I — 4 — o 
0—3—0 

0—3—0 


Sum  22-09 — o 


This  is  a tru  account  compared  By  me 

Kinsley  Hall  Capt 


The  Above  is  a tru  account 
Errors  only  Excepted  By  me 

Henry  Dow  Cap° 

Due  to  Hampton  men  ffor  wages  at  Garrition  att  Oyster  River 
and  other  disbursments  ffrom  November  1695  to  Aprill 
1696 — 


io6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


I 0-16-0 


I-  4-0 
I -1 6-0 


7-  4-0 


Nov’’  to  John  Marston  Jo"  Redman  Roger  Shaw^  £ S d 
2 ffrancis  page  Chris  : Smith  Sam  Dearborn 
with  their  own  provition  each  man  i 
month 

No  : 2 to  Sam^^  month 

No'"^  30  to  Sam^^  Nudd  with  provition  one  month 
No.  30  to  Ebenezer  Webster*  James  Senter  Moses") 
levitt  peter  Johnson  Jonathan  Elkins  Sam’*  v 
Johnson  each  man  his  month  j 

Dec’"'  31  to  John  Taylor  Isaac  Webster  James  Moul- 
ton Ben  James  Ben  Thomas  Eben.  Dear-  !>•  8-  8-0 
born  Moses  Elkins  each  man  his  month 
January  27  to  John  Hobs  ffor  his  man  and 
James  Senter  each  man  a month 
24  february  to  Daniel  Kincaid  Thomas  levitt  Sam’") 
ffogg  Sam’ Smith  Nehemiah  Hobs  Jo-  I 
seph  Moulton  Roger  Shaw  each  man  a [ 
month  J 

24  March  to  Henry  Dow  ffor  143  pound  pork  ffor  the") 


2-  8-0 


8-  8-0 


sayd  men  att  3'’  per  pound  j 

to  Joseph  Moulton  when  his  month  is  out 


1-15-9 
I-  4-0 


This  account  is  owned  by  me 


43-  3-9 


John  Woodman  Capt" 


24  february  to  a man  & Hoss  imprest  to  carry  the  said 
pork  to  oyster  River  Round  by  Exeter  the 
way  being  bad  o-  5-0 

January  27  to  4 men  sent  to  oyster  and  sent  home  ) 

again  being  3 days  apece j ^ 

Mar  24  to  five  men  sent  to  Oyster  River  and  ) 

sent  Home  again  3 days  apece  | ^ 


£44-  8-9 
22-  9-0 

£66-17-9 


A true  account  Errors  only  Excepted 

By  me  Henry  Dow  Capt" 


■^Ebenezer  Webster  was  a son  of  Thomas  Webster,  who  died  in  Hampton  in  1715,  aged  83. 
He  had  a son  Ebenezer,  and  a grandson  by  the  same  name,  who  was  born  in  Kingston  in 
1739,  and  settled  in  Salisbury  in  1763.  The  latter  was  one  of"  Rogers’  Rangers,’’  and  was 
in  the  army  in  1757  to  1759.  He  commanded  a company  at  Bennington,  and  was  the  father 
of  Ezekiel,  born  1780,  and  Daniel,  born  1782. 


HAMPTON. 


107 


[R.  2-35]  \^Hampton  Soldiers^  Apj'il  to  September ^ i6g6P\ 
Province  of  New  Hampshire 

Account  of  Soldiers  Impresed  to  keep  Garrison  Since  Apd  y® 
1696  untill  Sep*’  y®  30*’*  1696  at  oyster  River  Exeter  and 
Hampton  by  warrant  from  me  out  of  one  of  y®  Companys  in 
Hampton 
1696 

from  Ap^  7 
to  Ap^  13 


from  Ap^  13 
to  May  1 1 

from  May  1 1 
to  June  8 

from  June  8 
to  July  6 

from  July  6 
to  August  3 

from  August  3 
to  August  31 

from  Ap^  13 
to  Septem'**’  30 


1696 


Octobr  y®  i 
to  Octobr  29 


John  ffrench  & Sam'^  Cass  at  M*" 

Wiggoms  at  Exeter,  to  each  6 
days,  Kinsley  hall  Capt  £10-0 

Philemon  Blake,  John  Chase,  & 

Wil"*  Smith  at  oyster  River  28 
days  to  each  3-12-0 

John  Garland,  Caleb  Shaw,  and 
Ben*^  Batcheldr,  at  ovster  River 
28  days  to  each  3-12-0 

Richard  Sanborn,  Edw  fhfield,  & 

Josiah  Shaw,  at  oyster  River  28 
days  3-12-0 

Philip  Towl,  Sam’^  Melser,  & Jo- 
seph french  to  oyster  River  28 
days  3-12-0 

Jacob  Clifford  at  oyster  River  28 

da}^s  1-4-0 

Natf  Blacklidge  Service  two 
months  Due  to  Joseph  Smith  O 
River  as  per  Deventer  from  Cap* 

Woodman  2-8-0 

one  man  posted  at  Daff  Tiltons 
Garrison  in  Hampton  being  6 
months  and  3 days  7-6-6 

25-16-6 

Account  of  Soldiers  Impressed  to  Garrison 
from  octobr  y®  first  1696  untill  octobr  y®  29**^ 
1696 

Nath  : ffrench  and  Thomas  Ste- 
vens at  Garrison  at  oyster  River 
28  day  to  each  <£2-8-0 

Joseph  ffaning  & Benjamm  Per- 
kins at  Dan^  Tiltons  Garrison  in 
Hampton  to  each  28  days 


Errors  Excepted 


2-8-0 
4-16-0 

Joseph  Smith  Cap* 


io8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Portsm®  Novemb’'  13^^  1696 
The  within  acco*  Examind  & aproved  by 

Kinsley  Hall  Henry  Dow  ^ 

John  Woodman  John  Tuttle  >-  of  y®  Comitty 

Theodore  Attkinson  W*”  Redford  j 


[R.  2-36] 

The  Province  indebted  to  thes  persons  for  keeping  of  Garri- 
tion  as  Souldiers  att  Oyster  River  since  y®  of  Aprill  last  in 
1696  due  to  Hampton  men 

[The  following  are  allowed  ;Ci,  4 for  one  month,  except 
where  otherwise  stated  : — Ed.] 

13  April  Jonathan  Elkins  James  Johnson  peter  Johnson  fran- 
cis  page  Caleb  Towle  Ben  Thomas  James  Senter 
Samuel  Son  Tho.  Dearborn  Tho  Dearborn  Junor 
James  Moulton 

II  May  Christopher  Smith  Ebenezer  Webster  Joseph  Tayler 
Sam^  fogg  Junr  Samuel  Palmer  Jo"  Redman  Stephen 
Batchilder  Ben  : James  Moses  Elkins 
8 June  Isaac  Marston  Samuel  Smith  Jonathan  Moulton  Tho 
levitt  Roger  Shaw  Ebenezer  Dearborn  Samuel  Johnson 
Jo"  Son  Ens  Moulton  Jonathan  Marston 
6 July  Samuel  Nudd  Peter  Johnson  Moses  levitt  Sam^  Son  Tho 
Dearborn  Tho  Son  John  Dearborn  James  Senter  Ben 
Thomas  5 weeks  francis  page  Jonathan  Elkins 
3 August  Ebenezer  Webster  James  Moulton  Samuel  Palmer 
Ben  James  Joseph  Tayler  Ichabod  Robey  John  Red- 
man Chris  : Smith  26  days  Sam^  Johnson  3 weeks 
31  August  Roger  vShaw  31  days  Caleb  Towle  Jonathan  Moulton 
Tho  levitt  Jo"  vSon  Ens  : Moulton  Israil  Smith  Sam- 
uel Moulton 

I®*  of  October  Samuel  Colcord  10  days  Ebenezer  Dearborn  10 
days  Ensign  John  Moulton  8 days  John  Tuck  8 
days  Jonathan  Marston  i week  John  Redman  2 
days 

from  I®*  October  Samuel  ffog  Junr  28  days  James  Souther  Jun- 
to y®  29  athan  Elkins  8 days  James  Johnson  22  days 

£70 — 2 — o 

A true  account  Errors  only  Excepted  per  me 

Henry  Dow  Capt" 

This  Account  Is  ound  by  me  to  be  a trew  Account 

John  Woodman  Capt" 


HAMPTON. 


109 


[R.  2-36]  \_Nevj  Hampshire  to  Hampto7i  Menr\ 


A tru  account  of  what  is  due  to  thos  persons  the  province  of 
New  Hampshire  is  indebted  too  since  the  day  of  Aprill  last 
for  keeping  garrition  and  subsistance  of  Souldiers  1696  October 


29  Att  Daniel  Tiltor 

Mepheboshith  Sam- 
borne 

Humphrey  Perkins 
Isaac  Webster 
James  Perkins 
Simon  Knowles 
Sam^  ffoge  Senior 
John  Berry 
William  lane 


s Garrition 

Ichabod  Robey 
Joseph  Towle 
John  levitt  Junr. 
John  Hobs 
Ben  Lamprey 
Jacob  Browne 
Edman  Johnson 
Daniel  Moulton 
Steven  Samborn 


Isaac  Godfrey 
Tho  : Webster  Junr. 
Samuel  son  of  Hen 
Dearborn 
Arretas  levitt 
Jo"  son  Hen  Moul- 
ton 

James  philbrook 
Samuel  Colcord 


A tru  account  j^er  me 


Henry  Dow  Cap" 


[The  above  were  allowed  six  shillings  each. — Ed.] 


Stephen  Bachilder  i month  att  oyster  River  Nov.  2,  1695 
Caleb  Marston  & Nathaniel  lock  3 days  apece  at  Mr.  Tiltons, 
Ap^  9 to  Ap^  13 

Portsm" : November  13*^  1696 

The  within  acco*  Examind  and  approved  by 

Kinsley  Hall  Henry  Dow  \ 

John  Woodman  Tuttle  > of  y®  Comitty 

Theodore  Attkinson  W'"  : Redford  j 


[Capt.  Kinsley  Hall  was  of  Exeter,  Capt.  Dow  of  Hamp- 
ton, Capts.  Woodman  and  Tuttle  of  Dover.  Attkinson  was 
of  New  Castle.  He  was  sheriff  of  the  province  for  some 
years  following  1692,  and  was  father  of  Hon.  Theodore  At- 
kinson, who  was  for  many  years  secretary  of  the  province. 
— Ed.] 


[4-189]  [ Warrafit  for  Muster  of  the  Militia^  /dp/.] 

Hampton  the  ii  December  1697 — 

for  Major  Joseph  Smith 

In  obedience  to  & pursuant  of  orders  from  White  Hall  bar- 
ring date  27  October  1697  directed  ffor  his  majesties  Speaciall 


I lO 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Service  to  the  Honourable  John  Usher  Esquire  His  Majesties 
Left  Govenour  & Commander  in  Chiefe  of  his  majesties  prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  in  America  &C  You  are  in  his  majes- 
ties name  required  to  give  notice  to  all  Capt“®  militia  officers  & 
Souldiers  in  the  Town  of  Hampton  to  appear  in  armes  on 
Munday  next  being  the  13^^^  instant  att  ten  of  the  clock  in  the 
fourenoone  in  order  to  Comply ance  with  sayd  orders  as  thay 
and  every  of  them  will  answer  the  contrary  for  the  Highest  Con- 
tempt Given  under  my  Hand  and  seale  att  Armes  the  day  and 
yeare  above  written 

John  Usher  LefE^  Governour 
& Commander  in  cheife 

To  Major  Joseph  Smith 
A copie 

To  CapE  Jacob  Green 

Pursuant  to  the  above  written  warrant  you  are  in  his  majes- 
ties name  required  to  give  notice  to  all  officers  and  souldiers 
under  your  command  to  appear  according  to  the  above  s'^  war- 
rant att  the  meeting  House  in  Hampton  to  morrow  at  ten  in  the 
morninge 

Dated  December  12^^  1697 

Joseph  Smith  Major 


Vera  Copia  of  the  oridginall  In  the  Hands  of  Cap*°  Jacob 
Green  Compared  By  me 


Henry  Dow 

Jestice  of  peace  in  new  Hampshire 


[4-196]  \_Hamfton  Men  sent  to  the  Fort^  1^04.^ 

Hampton  20  June  1704 

ffriend  John  Bickford  according  to  order  Received  I Have 
sent  five  laborarers  and  a Souldier  to  the  ffort  that  you  must 
sett  over  (viz)  John  Dearborn  Humphrey  Perkins  John  Sam- 
born  William  Marston  John  Redman  & William  ffifield  Besids 
the  Sherriff  Have  ordered  a carpenter  to  be  prest  out  of  my 
Company  that  was,  but  is  now  a trooper  if  he  come  that  make 
seven  in  all  besids  Cap‘  Greens  & he  should  send  ffour  which  is 
all  needfull  ffrom  your  ffriend 

Henry  Dow  Capff 

[John  Bickford  kept  a ferry  at  Little  Harbor,  and  took 
the  men  over  to  the  fort.  Others  were  sent  as  follows  : — 
Ed.] 


HAMPTON. 


Ill 


May  19  Jabez  Dow  Jonathan  Moulton  James  ffogg 
“ 30  Philemon  Dalton  Icabocl  Robey  John  Knowles 

“ 31  Joseph  Towle  a soulclier 

June  9 Ben.  Moulton  Josiah  Moulton  peter  Johnson 
Robert  Drake  a soulclier 

June  30  Seth  ffogg  Stephen  Samborn  Tho  Ward  James  ffuller 
Sam'  Brown  Samuel  Chapman 
July  12  Sam'  Dearborn  Sam'  Marston  Icabod  Robey 
Joseph  Taylor  James  Moulton  Labourers 
John  Taylor  a souldier  James  Johnson  a carpenter 
July  24  Ensign  Samuel  Marston  a carpenter 

Samuel  Smith  Caleb  Towle  Jonathan  Elkins 
Hezekiah  Jinnis  Isaac  Webster  labourers 
John  Chapman  a souldier 


[R.  2-37]  \_Hamfto7t  Soldiers^  //Oc?.] 

A List  of  Souldiers  Names,  and  Time  they  Served  att  her 
Majesties  ffourt,  W*"  and  Mary  at  New  Castle  in  the  province 
of  Newhampshire  New  England  1708. 


[The  following  are  Hampton  men. 
given  in  connection  with  the  towns  to 
—Ed.] 

The  others  will  be 
which  they  belong  : 

May  18  to  June  i. 

Christopher  Pottle  Jon**  Philbrook 
Jn°  Wedgewood  Chr  : Palmer 

Jn®  Hobbs 

Jn®  French 
Anthony  Crosby 

June  I to  June  15 
W™  Mastin  Joseph  Brown 

Daniel  Lamprey  Isaac  Green 

Moses  Blake 

Seth  Fogg 
Jn®  Gove 

June  15  to  June  29 
Jn®  Green  Ebenezer  Gove 

Sam'  Palmer  Stephen  Palmer 

Jn®  Brown 

Benj^  Green 
Th®  Mastin 

June  29  to  July  13 
Christopher  Page  Jn®Sambourn 

Sim®  Knowles  W™  Brown 

Richard  Taylor 
Jacob  Brown 

July  13  to  July  27 

Jon**  Taylor  Zach  Philbrook 

Daniel  Lampree  Caleb  Perkins 

Benj®  Cram 

Stephen  Palmer 
Israel  Blake 

1 12 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


July  27  to  Aug  10 


John  Pickering 
Jn°  Lunt 
Tim®  Blake 

Abraham  Brown 
Benj*^  James 

W*”  Lunt 
Benj^  Hillyard 

Aug.  10  to  24 
David  Moulton 
John  Garland 

Tho : Batcheler 
Tho  : Phillbrook 

Joseph  Palmer 
Sam’  Melcher 

Aug  24  to  Sept  7 
Jas : Chapman 
Phillamon  Dalton 
Sam^  Tilton 

Ja : Carr 
Abraham  Libey 
Israel  Shepeard 

Tho  : Harris 
W™  Norton 

Sept  7 to  21 
Tho  : Marston 
Abra®^  Libbey 
David  Tilton 

Isa  : Phillbrook 
Josiah  Dow 
Caleb  Swain 

Jn®  Garland 
Jacob  Cliford 

Sept  21  to  Oct  5 
Tho.  Levett 
Jn°  Dow 

W"“  Sandburn 

Stephen  Sandburn 

Oct  5 to  19 
Robert  Moulton 

Jn®  berry 

Oct  6 to  [9 
Benj'^  Perkins 

Tom  Dow 

Oct  19  to  Nov  I 
Sam^  Dow 
Edward  Williams 

Jer ; Marston 

Jn®  Cram 

Shadrach  Walton  Cap' 

The  men  work  att  Six  pence  per  Day  in  Repairing 
the  ffoLirt 

the  Marsh  for  Sodes 

the  use  of  the  gondalow  for  bringin  the  Sodes  15 
Day  att  i®  6*^  per  D 


2 — o — o 
I-O-O 
1-2-6 


£4-2-6 


[4—200]  \_Remonstrance  agahzst  a Township  being  granted 

at  Squamscot^  7/op.] 

May  it  pleas  your  Excellency 

Wee  whose  names  are  under  written  living  within  the  peti- 
tioned bounds  of  Quamscot  doth  earnestly  desire  that  your  Ex- 
cellency and  Honnors  would  be  pleased  to  deny  y®  Request  of 


HAMPTON. 


II3 


those  petitioners  for  a town  ship  in  Quamscot  as  for  y®  gener- 
ality of  y®  said  petitioners  are  poor  people  and  several  of  them 
according  to  y®  best  of  our  knowledg  instead  of  defraying  any 
town  charge  are  reather  likely  to  be  a towm  charg  themselves. 
Your  earnest  desirers 


Quamscot  desember  y®  fifth  1709 — 


Edward  fifield 
Benjamin  Brown 
John  Robards 
Israel  Smith 
William  Chiles 
Nathaniel  Ladd 
benjamin  Taylor 


david  Robison 
Nathaniel  Stephens 
Moses  Rolins 
John  Clark 
John  Mead 
Nathaniel  Right 
ionathan  Robison 


Joseph  Rolins 
Tho  : Rolins 
Moses  Leavitt  Juner 
Charles  Rundlit 
Josep  Lawrence 


[4-201]  \_Another  of  sa7ne  tenor ^ 7775.] 

to  his  Excellency  the  Governour  & Councell  Sitting  at  ports™* 

this  23  day  of  Aprill,  1715 

Wee  the  Representatives  for  y®  town  of  Hampton  pray  that 
where  as  there  is  a petition  of  a Company  of  persons  for  a 
township  at  a place  called  Quamscock  we  pray  there  may  be 
no  proceeding  in  y®  matter  before  the  westward  line  of  Hamp- 
ton be  run  for  that  Sundry  of  y®  petitioners  are  persons  y*  have 
no  Land  of  their  own  but  have  entered  into  hampton  mens 
Land  laid  out  into  lots  to  perticular  men  & possessed  more  than 
60  or  70  years  since  & there  being  severall  writs  against  some 
of  them  y®  above  s*^  petitioners  Causes  them  to  endeavor  to 
gett  a grant  of  other  mens  possessions  &C 

Your  humble  Servants 

Joseph  Smith  Peter  Weare  Joshua  Winget 


[4-201^]  Wears  Petition  for  aTownship  8^^  lyiy. 

Too  His  Excelency  Samuel  Shute  Esq*'  Govern*"  in  Cheeff  of  His 
Majesties  Province  of  New  Hampsheir,  &C.  & to  the  Hon- 
ourable the  Council  of  said  Province — 

May  Itt  Please  your  Excellency  and  your  Hon** 

In  as  much  as  ther  is  a great  quantity  of  Land  in  this  Prov- 
10 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


1 14 


ince  unsettled  & nowayes  belonging  to  any  particular  Township 
we  y®  subscribers  do  become  your  humble  & ernest  Petitioners 
that  A certain  Tract  thereof  may  be  granted  & Layd  out  for  y® 
Regular  setteP*  of  A Township  for  us  & our  Heirs  & other  His 
Maje‘®  Loyal  & good  Subjects — The  Bounds  of  which  Town- 
ship we  desire  may  Run  from  y®  Alassachusetts  Line  12  miles 
Norward  & so  12  mils  squar  in  y®  Chestnut  Countrey  Commonly 
so  called — In  granting  of  which  Petition  your  Excellency  will 
greatly  oblidge  your  Humble  Servants 


Joseph  Tilton 
Daniel  Weare 
Benjamin  Pearkins 
Joseph  Sanborn 
William  Healy 
Charles  Stanard 
Samuel  Page 
Zachrias  Clifford 
Benjamin  SanBorn 
Jacob  Garland  Sener 
Tho®  Crosbie 
Jabez  Smith 
Natff^  Samborn 
Benj^  ffifield 
Jethro  Tilton 
Richard  Sanborn 
Jacob  iiL  Garland 
Nerniah  Heath 
Nathaniel  Healy 
Jeremiah  Samborn 
ruben  SamBorn 
James  garland 
David  Tilton 
Elisha  Smith 
Thomas  Waite 
Jacob  Stanyan 
James  Prescut 
Joshua  Prescut 
James  Sanborn 
Joseph  Swett 
Jacob  Moulton 
Hen  : Lucas 
pheliman  Blacke 


Bennoney  ffogg 
Joshua  Winget 
Jonathan  Dearbon 
Jn°  Tuck 
Josep  Page 
John  Sherburn 
Benjamin  Thomas 
W"^  Lock 
Tho  : Ward 
Jn»  Sanborn  Rich  : 
Son 

Tho  : Dearborn  John 
Son 

Nab  Bachelder  jur 
Josiah  Sanbourne 
John  Smith 
Abraham  Drack 
Jonathan  tailer 
Thos  Philbrick 
John  Green 
Charles  Hunt 
Edward  Williams 
James  Stanyan 
Jonathan  ffifield 
William  Sanborn 
Sen*" 

Ichabod  Robie 
Roger  Shaw 
David  moulton 
Jn®  Nay 

Nab  Bachelder  Sen*" 
Benja  Tole 
Josh  Lane 


Jonathan  Cass 
Peter  Weare 
Jonathan  Garland 
Seth  fogg  Senior 
Nathaniel  Drack 
Caleb  towl 
John  Casse 
William  Ripp 
Benja  Shaw  Jff 
James  Dow 
Edward  Wear 
Samuell  Shaw 
Jn°  Webster 
Joseph  Lett  Jur 
James  Foog 
Josep  Tole 
Josep  Cass 
Tho  : Marston  Seffi 
James  Perkins 
Abel  Ward 
Jacob  Carsfoot 
Roberd  Drack 
John  Webster  Juner 
Seth  Fogg 
Joseph  Chase 
Timothy  Blake 
William  Couch 
Joseph  Low 
Sam^  Blake 
Sanb  Cass 
Moses  Downer 


[The  foregoing  are  Hampton  and  Hampton  Falls  names. 
The  petition  was  presented  to  the  council  October  3,  1717, 
by  George  Jaffrey,  in  behalf  of  Major  Peter  Weare. — Ed.] 


HAMPTON. 


II5 


[4-205]  [ Warrant  for  Parish  Meetings 

This  is  to  give  notice  to  ye  ffreeholclers  of  Hampton  that  they 
meet  on  Munday  the  second  day  of  March  next  att  y®  old  meet- 
ing house  in  Hampton  att  eight  A clock  in  y®  morning  to  choose 
Town  officers  &c. — And  y®  ffieeholders  of  y®  old  parrish  to  con- 
sider then  & order  about  Raising  the  new  meeting  house  and 
order  something  about  y®  seates,  & glass  of  y®old  meeting  house, 
ffiebruary  2i®‘  1718/19  Nath^  Sargent  Justice  of  Peace 

1 Selectmen 
Moulton  r r rr 

, 1 01  Hampton 

Doni  j 

Vera  : Copia  Test  JiP  Tuck  Town  Clerk 


Jabez 
Josiah 
JiP  D( 


[4-204]  \_Palls  Men  present  at  said  Meeti7tg.~\ 


Att  y®  meeting  of  y®  freeholders  of  Hampton  March  y®  i®* 
1718/19  men  there  present  of  y®  fales  side  & voted  with  rest  of  y* 
freeholders  to  choice  of  Town  officers 


Philemon  Blake 
John  Swaine 
Jn®  Green 
Moses  Blake 
Jonathan  Phi  lb  rick 
Jethro  Tilton 
Nathan  Longfellow 
Caleb  Swaine 


Jn°  Bachelder 
Sam^  Blake 
Jacob  Stanian 
Ichabod  Robie 
Nath^  Batchelder 
Enoch  Sanborn 
Sam^  Shaw 


Robt  Row 
Jacob  Moulton 
Natffi  Hodge 
Cap*  Jos  Swett 
Cap*  Joseph  Cass 
Cap*  Jos  Tilton 
L*  Benj^  Hilyard 


[4-206]  \_Neiv  Parish  Men  present  at  said  Meeting. 

Wee  whos  naims  are  hear  under  Subscribed  being  at  y®  town 
meeting  y®  2*^  of  March  1718/19  did  vote  for  Chusing  town  offi- 
cers and  thought  it  was  our  Duety  and  according  to  act  of  y® 
honer**^®  Governer  & Councell  and  have  Reson  to  think  all  our 
people  that  was  thair  at  the  town  meeting  acted  in  y®  same 

Nath*  Bachiler  SeiP  Joseph  Tilton  Samuel  Shaw 

Joseph  Swett  Nathan  Longfellow  Jonathan  Philbrook 

Joseph  Cass  Enoch  Sanborn 

The  above  Subscribers  are  all  the  Leding  men  allmost  in  the 
new  parish  & of  Estats  Save  M*"  hilard  who  is  Redy  to  Sub- 
scribe but  is  at  Boston  which  is  a princble  man 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


1 16 


[4-207]  {^Petition  for  Grant  of  a Pow7tship^  z/j/.] 

To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq’’ Governour  and  Com- 
mander in  Cheif  in  and  over  his  Maiesties  Province  of  New 
Hamp’’  and  to  the  Honourable  his  majesties  Council  the  Peti- 
tion of  sundry  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hampton  in  the  s*^ 
Province  humbly  sheweth — 

That  most  of  the  Towns  and  Parishes  within  the  province  of 
New  Hamp’’  have  been  favoured  respectively  with  Charters  for 
considerable  tracts  of  his  Majesties  Wast  Lands  within  this  prov- 
ince for  the  making  of  new  Towns  proper  to  them,  and  though 
it  was  proposed  in  the  time  of  granting  these  Charters  that  a 
Charter  should  be  granted  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Hampton,  yet  through  neglect  due  notice  was  not  given  to  the 
greatest  part  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  town  to  seek  after  a right 
in  any  of  the  new  Towns  or  in  any  entire  body  of  Land  for  their 
proper  use,  most  of  whome  have  done  very  great  service  in  this 
his  Majesties  province  as  souldiers  against  the  Indian  enemy  but 
have  not  been  favoured  with  any  share  in  the  new  grants,  at 
which  they  are  extremely  grieved,  and  therefore  earnestly  pray 
for  help  from  your  Excellency  and  Honours,  and  pray  that  you 
will  please  to  grant  your  Petitioners  who  are  represented  by  the 
subscribers  and  a List  of  their  names  hereto  annexed,  a Tract  of 
Wast  Land  within  this  province  to  be  embodied  into  a Town  as 
the  other  new  Towns  be,  or  that  wdiereas  your  Petitioners  are 
informed  that  the  Charter  of  Chichester  is  forfeited  by  the  Pro- 
prietors by  their  neglect  of  fulfilling  the  conditions  thereof,  which 
Town  was  originally  designed  for  the  Town  of  Hampton  that 
your  Excellency  and  Honours  will  please  to  make  them  a grant 
thereof,  and  yo''  Petitioners  will  punctually  comply  with  the  con- 
ditions to  be  set  thereon  and  shall  ever  pray  as  in  duty  bound 
&c 

May  1731.  Joseph  Towle  Thomas  Marston 

March  y®  23  1731  an  account  of  the  mens  names  that  peti- 
tioned for  a new  Township 


Timothy  Dalton 
Samuel  Darbon 
Jeremiah  Darbon 
Joseph  Johnson 
Elisha  Page 
Caleb  Towle  junior 
Moris  Hobs 
Josiah  Hobs 
Zacriah  Towl 
Henry  Batchelder 
Nathaniel  Dearbon 


Samuel  Hobs 
Joseph  Towle 
John  Garland 
Jonathan  Towle 
Jonathan  Elkins  J 
Beniamin  Hobs 
William  Moulton 
Joseph  Page 
frances  Towl 
John  Page 
Beniamin  Towle  i 


Benoni  ffuller 
Beniamin  M marston 
John  Towle 
Thomas  ffuller 
r Amos  Knowles 
Samuel  Smith 
John  Hobs 
Joseph  Taillor  Jur 
James  Towl 
Thomas  Page 
r John  Marston 


HAMPTON. 


II7 


James  Godfree 
John  Weedgwood 
James  Hobs 
John  Leavitt 
Ebenezer  Godfree 
Samuel  Leavitt 
Thomas  Marston 
Christopher  Palmer 
Joseph  Batchelder 
Jonathan  Dearbon 
Jonathan  Godfree 
Nathan  Bleak 
Joseph  Moulton 
Jonathan  Sandborn 
Jeremiah  Marston 
Henry  Dearbon 
Benjamin  Towle 
Moses  Perkins 
John  Tailor 
Obadiah  Marston 
Jonathan  Tuck 


Thomas  Jams 
Joshua  Towl 
Joseph  Prescut 
Beniamin  Prescut 
Jonathan  Darbon  Jui 
William  Sandborn 
Jur 

Beniamin  James  Jur 
Jonathan  Marston 
Jur 

William  Sandborn 
Richard  Tailor 
Caleb  Marston 
Abner  Sandborn 
Thomas  Nudd 
Wintrip  Marston 
John  Nay  Jur 
Thomas  Elkins 
Nathaniel  Mason 
Jeremiah  Towl 
Samuel  Lock 


Daniel  Sandborn 
Edward  Moulton 
John  Johnson 
Joshua  Brown 
Edmund  Chapman 
Reuben  M marston 
Caleb  Marston  Jur 
Thomas  Hains 
Caleb  Towl 
Reuben  Dearbon 
Daniel  Collins 
Gidian  Shaw 
Josiah  Brown 
James  Leavitt 
James  Marston 
Joseph  Philbrick  Jur 
Stephen  Smith 
Thomas  Batchelder 
John  Knowls  senior 
Nathan  Marston 


[In  council,  May  5,  1731.  “Suspended  till  next  Ses- 
sion.”— Ed.] 


[4-209]  \_Bill  of  Expense  for  Co7istructi7zg  a Pillory^ 

for  Time  and  expense  for  the  Pillorey  that  wee  caused  to  be 
built  att  Hampton  In  June  Last  Past  by  order  of  his  Majesties 
Court  of  sessions  then  sitting  their  the  wholl  charg  forty  Shil- 
lings 

Jonathan  Marston 
Benjamin  Dow  Select  men 
Sam^^  Palmer 

Hampton  June  1732 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  April  29,  1733,  25  shillings  was  allowed. 
—Ed.] 


[4-210]  \^Petitio7i  of  North  Hill  iTthabitaTits  relative  to 
iTtg  MiTtisterial  Rates:  addressed  to  Gov.  Belcher  and 
the  Asse7nbly, 

The  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  North  Part 
of  Hampton  in  said  Province  humbly  Sheweth  That  your  peti- 
tioners labour  under  great  difficulty  as  to  attending  the  Public 


ii8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


worship  of  God  at  the  meeting  house  at  Hampton  Town  by 
reason  of  the  distance  from  it,  That  there  has  been  for  some 
years  past  a meeting  house  erected  at  North  Hill  so  called  in 
Hampton  aforesaid,  where  there  has  been  preaching  at  times 
for  some  years  past,  that  the  charge  of  Supporting  the  Preach- 
ing there  has  been  carried  on  by  a few,  who  at  the  same  time 
have  paid  the  full  of  all  Town  Charges,  That  in  many  of  your 
Petitioners  familys  there  are  six  or  seven  that  generally  attend 
the  publick  worship  of  God  at  North  Hill  meeting  House  when 
there  is  preaching  there,  when  at  the  same  time  not  more  than 
two  or  three  of  them  at  most,  could  attend  at  Town,  That  your 
Petitioners  are  very  desirous  of  having  the  Public  worship  of 
God  among  them  so  as  they  and  their  familys  may  constantly 
attend  thereon — 

Wherefore  your  Petioners  Humbly  Pray  your  Excellency  the 
Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in  your 
Great  Wisdom  and  Goodness  to  take  your  Petitioners  Case 
under  Consideration  and  to  exempt  your  Petitioners  Estates  and 
Polls  and  the  Polls  under  them  ratable,  from  being  rated  tow- 
ards the  defreying  any  part  of  the  Town  Rate  or  Rates  of  Hamp- 
ton afores*^  for  so  long  time  as  the  Public  Worship  of  God  shall 
be  carryed  on  and  maintained  at  the  said  North  Hill  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c. 


John  Darbon 
Jonathan  Godfree 
John  Widgwood 
Jeremiah  Dearborn 
John  Marston  Jun 
Jonathan  thomas 
Jonathan  Marston 
Henry  Dearbon 
David  Jewell 
Daniel  marston 


Samuel  dearbon 
beniamin  hobs 
Job  chapman 
John  Godfree  senior 
Simon  Dearbon 
Beniamin  Marston 
Jur 

Nathan  Samborn 
John  Leavitt 
David  Moulton 


John  B.  Redman 
John  Marston 
Thomas  Marston 
Daniel  Samborn 
Benjamin  Marston 
John  Godfree  Juner 
Winthrop  Marston 
John  Johnson 
henry  Bachelder 
James  Godfree 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  September  3,  1738,  a hearing  was  order- 
ed for  the  next  session.  In  same,  November  15,  1738,  the 
parties  were  heard,  and  the  house  “Voted  that  the  Petition- 
ers be  Poled  off  from  Hampton  old  Town,  and  that  their 
persons  families  & estates  be  cleared  from  paying  to  the 
ministry  of  the  old  Town,  and  from  any  payment  to  the 
Widdow  of  the  Late  Reverend  m^’  Gookin,  and  from  pay- 
ment to  the  Town  School  so  long  as  they  keep  and  maintain 
an  able  orthodox  Minister  of  the  Gospell  amongst  them." 
The  council  concurred,  with  this  amendment, — “That  they 
be  exonerated  from  paying  to  the  support  of  a school  at  the 
old  Town  no  longer  than  they  support  a writing  & reading 


HAMPTON. 


II9 

schoolmaster  amongst  themselves,” — and  further,  that  they 
should  not  be  discharged  from  paying  their  proportion  of 
the  grant  made  by  Hampton  to  the  widow  of  Rev.  Nathan- 
iel Gookin,  who  died  in  1734.  House  concurred,  and  Gov. 
Belcher  “ assented.”  Act  passed  accordingly,  November  17, 
1738.  The  parish  thus  set  off  was  incorporated  as  North 
Hampton  November  26,  1742. — Ed.] 


[4-212]  \_North  Hill  Parish  Declaration^  /7Jp.] 


To  the  Rev*^  Ministers  whom  we  have  invited  to  be  our  mouth 
in  addressing  the  throne  of  Grace  For  direction  in  the  impor- 
tant affairs  before  Us  & to  others  w’hom  it  may  concern — 


North  hill  in  Hampton  May  24^^  i739 — 


Rev*^  Sir®  Seeing  there  is  a misrepresentation  of  our  designs 
In  our  present  proceedings  made  to  you  by  our  Brethren  & 
neighbours  as  tho’  we  were  about  to  Involve  them  in  charge  & 
contention  against  their  wills.  These  may  inform  you  that  our 
Designs  & aims  are  to  set  up  & support  the  Gosple  among  us 
which  we  trust  will  be  to  the  Glory  of  God  & the  great  advan- 
tage of  our  selves  & families 

And  we  think  we  shall  be  able  honourably  to  support  it  tho* 
our  numbers  be  not  increas’d  for  we  trust  that  God  will  bless 
the  labour  of  our  hands  to  enable  us  to  Bear  the  charges  of  it 
as  he  has  heretofore  done — And  it  is  not  in  our  design  (were  it 
in  our  power)  To  bring  any  into  our  Society  untill  they  are 
willing  Tho’  they  live  never  so  convenient  being  sensible  that 
Peace  and  Unity  are  what  God  is  well  pleased  with  and  what 
will  be  our  greater  comfort  & Security  than  larger  numbers — 
This  declaration  we  make  & engage  to  Stand  by  and  accord- 
ingly promise  that  we  will  not  petition  for  any  Parish  line 
untill  the  major  part  within  that  line  shall  joyn  in  the  petition — 
So  desiring  your  prayers  & directions  we  remain  Rev*^  S” 
your  humble  Servants — Sign’d  by 


Deacon  John  Dear- 
bon 

John  Marston 
Thomas  Marston 
Daniel  Sanborn 
John  Marston  Ju’’ 
Henry  Bacheller 
David  Jewell 


John  Leavitt 
Saiff  Dearbon 
John  Godfrey 
John  Wedgwood 
Josepth  Dearbon 
Daniel  Marston 
James  Godfrey 
Jeremiah  Dearbon 


William  Godfrey 
Benjamin  Hobbs 
Job  Chapman 
Benjamin  Marston 
Henry  Dearbon 
Winthrop  Marston 
Simon  Dearbon 


[The  names  are  all  in  one  hand  on  the  document. — Ed.] 


120 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[4-214]  \_Report  of  Committee  concerning  Lines  between 
North  Hill  and  the  old  Parish^  1/42.'] 


Whereas  we  the  subscribers  with  others  Being  appointed  By 
the  Gen^  Court  at  there  Sessions  on  Sept.  17**^  1742  To  Go  To 
hamton  old  Town  & north  Hill  Parish  and  see  whether  it  be 
Convenient  to  have  a Line  Setled  between  the  old  Town  of 
hamton  & north  hill  Parish  or  not  If  a Line  then  where  to  State 
It,  or  whether  both  Ministers  shall  be  paid  by  one  General  Rate 
&c — In  pursuence  whereof  we  with  Peter  Gilman  who  was 
also  one  of  Said  Comitte  mett  at  s^  hamton  on  October  4**^ 
1743,  and  viewed  both  Parishes  and  heard  the  arguments  used 
by  the  agents  of  s*^  Parishes,  and  have  Determined  as  foP : That 
we  think  It  most  Convenient  That  the  ministers  Rates  of  Both 
Parishes  be  Paid  by  one  General  Rate.  But  if  the  Gen* 
Court  should  think  Proper  It  should  not  be  then  we  are  of 
opinion  they  have  a devideing  Line  between  s'*  Parishes : and 
that  it  be  as  foP : The  Line  to  begin  at  the  Country  high  way 
that  Leads  from  Portsm'’  to  hamton  one  Rod  to  the  Southward 
of  Cap*  Joseph  Taylors  new  dweling  house  and  from  thence  to 
Run  on  a Strait  Line  to  the  Sea  Striking  the  Sea  Eighty  rods 
to  the  Southward  of  the  mouth  of  the  Litle  River  where  it  now 
Emties  Into  the  Sea,  & then  to  begin  at  the  high  way  afores**  at 
the  Place  where  the  Line  before-mentioned  first  begun  & from 
thence  to  Run  a Strait  Line  To  the  Corner  bounds  between 
Exeter  and  Stratham  at  hamton  Line.  That  To  be  the  Devid- 
ing  Line  between  the  two  Parishes — 

which  is  according  to  the  best  of  our  Jugem*®  and  is  Humbly 
Submited  To  the  Gen*  Court  as  our  Report 
Portsm®  Novemb''  16**^  1743 


Jotham  Odiorne 
John  Douning 


Maj''  Part  of  the 
Comitte  that  was 
acting  in  y®  afair 


[4— 21^;]  \_Remonstrance  to  foregoing  Report 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Sundry  Persons  Inhabitants  of  the 
Northern  Part  of  the  Town  of  Hampton  in  said  Province  Shew- 
eth — 

That  your  Petitioners  have  been  Informed  that  the  Parish- 
ioners of  the  North  Hill  Parish  so  called  have  Petitioned  the 
General  Assembly  for  a Line  of  Division  between  that  & the 
Town  or  old  Parish  In  pursuance  of  which  a Committee  has  view- 
ed & Reported  their  Opinion  (which  your  Petitioners  were  in- 
formed of  before)  that  both  ministers  should  be  maintained  by  one 
Rate — or  that  a Line  should  be  fixed  as  set  forth  in  their  Return 
— as  to  the  first  part,  we  humbly  conceive  it  would  be  Intro- 


HAMPTON. 


I2I 


ductive  of  Multiplied  Confusions  & alltogether  Impracticable 
for  any  length  of  time  but  as  that  is  more  Immediately  the  Con- 
cern of  the  Town  we  wave  it  & Refer  it  to  those  whose  Prov- 
ince it  is — But  as  the  proposed  Line  greatly  affects  us  we  beg 
leave  Humbly  to  Remonstrate  That  we  families  & estates  will 
be  thereby  Comprehended  within  the  North  Hill  Parish  utterly 
against  our  Inclinations  as  well  as  Interests — That  as  this  Parish 
was  at  first  erected  without  our  agency  we  think  it  Reasonable  the 
charge  of  it  should  be  supported  without  our  aid  and  it  would 
be  a very  hard  case  (as  we  conceive)  to  compel  us  to  contribute 
to  the  ease  & Conveneiency  of  others  at  the  Expence  of  our  own 
or  that  the  wills  of  our  neighbours  should  abridge  or  rather 
Destroy  our  Liberty  & that  in  direct  Contradiction  to  their  own 
solemn  promise — 

That  there  has  not  been  a Parallel  Instance  at  least  within 
our  knowledge  but  whenever  Parishes  have  been  erected  those 

O 


who  were  unwilling  to  belong  to  them  have  by  the  Indulgence  of 
the  General  Court  (agreeable  to  the  Example  of  the  Legislature 
at  Home)  had  leave  to  continue  as  they  were  & were  Poll’d  off 
accordingly  from  the  new  Parishes  which  is  but  just  and  Rea- 
sonable for  otherway s it  would  be  in  the  power  of  a few  men 
frequently  in  a sort  to  Tyranize  over  their  neighbours — That  the 
Inconveniency  hereby  bro’t  upon  us  will  be  greater  than  those 
the  Petitioners  would  be  under  if  they  were  Reduced  to  their 
former  condition  & belong’d  to  the  old  Parish  or  at  least  equal 
to  them — 

Wherefore  we  most  Humbly  pray  that  this  Court  would 
according  to  their  wonted  Goodness  in  Such  Cases  if  a Line 
shall  be  Settled  let  us  Poll  off  Families  & Estates  from  the  said 


North  Hill  Parish  & 
pray  &c. 

John  Smith 
William  Moulton 
beniamin  Johnson 
John  Taylor 
beniamin  Smith 
nathaniel  mason 
Joseph  Towll  Jr 
Danil  Dow 
Thomas  Dearbon 
Samuel  darbon 
Nathaniel  Moulton 
Abriam  Dreak  Ju 
Jona  Palmer 
Daniel  fogg 
Thomas  Hains 
Obadiah  Marston 


y*"  Petition®  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 


Richard  tayler 
Ruben  Derbon 
david  marston 
Simon  Knowles 
William  Palmer 
James  Towll 
Jonathan  Towll  Jr 
Caleb  Marston 
Thomas  Rowly 
Josiah  hobbes 


Beniamin  fullor 
Morris  hobbes 
Benjamin  Johnson  iu 
John  Shaw 
John  Smith  Ju 
beniamin  mason 
David  dow 
zechariah  Towll 
Samuel  Fogg 
Joseph  knowles 


Samuel  bachelder  Ju  William  Moulton  Ju 


James  Tomas 
Joseph  Page 
francis  Page 
Jeremiah  Page 
Elisha  Marston 


Jona  Knowles 
Joseph  Moulton 
Benjamin  Lamper 
Morrice  Lamprey 


122 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[An  act  was  passed  November  30,  1742,  incorporating 
the  said  North  Hill  parish  into  a parish  by  the  name  of 
North  Hampton,  with  the  following  line  between  that  and 
Hampton  : “ Beginning  at  a great  rock  in  the  Highway  in 
Hampton  afores*^  between  the  Dwelling  Houses  of  Caleb 
Marston  & Joseph  Towle  Jr.  which  is  the  first  Great  rock 
in  the  Highway  afores^^  to  the  Southward  of  the  Dwelling 
House  of  the  widow  Mary  Levet  of  Hampton  afores*^  Tav- 
ernkeeper  & running  from  the  afores^  Great  rock  on  a strait 
Line  to  the  Sea  at  the  mouth  of  the  Little  river  where  it  now 
emtieth  itself  into  the  Sea — then  to  begin  again  at  the 
afores^  Great  rock  & to  run  therefrom  on  a strait  Line  to 
the  corner  bounds  between  Stratham  & Exeter  at  Hampton 
Line.”  They  were  to  be  joined  with  Hampton  for  repre- 
sentative, and  were  to  continue  to  pay  their  proportion  of 
the  grant  made  to  Mrs.  Dorothy  Gookin. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-38]  \_Ahstract from  Dr.  Anthony  Enter f s Memorial^ 

1757 

The  memorial  of  Anthony  Emery  of  Hampton 

Humbly  Sheweth  : That  your  memorialist  by  the  request  of 
His  Excellency,  on  the  eighteenth  day  of  April  in  y®  year  i755 
Inlisted  himself  into  his  Majestys  Service  in  an  expedition 
against  Crown  Point,  as  Chirurgion  of  Col  Joseph  Blanchards 
Regiment.  And  as  Chirurgions  wages  was  not  an  adequate 
encouragement  for  your  memorialist  to  leave  his  business,  His 
Excellency  gave  your  memorialist  a Lieut®  Commission  in  Capt. 
John  Moors  Company,  without  which  your  memorialist  would 
not  have  gone  in  s*^  expedition.  * * * 

[Dr.  Emery  was  discharged  December  5 following.  He 
claimed  pay  for  a horse  broken  down  in  the  service,  and 
was  allowed  ^25  out  of  the  money  “for  the  Crown  Point 
Expedition.” — Ed.] 


[R.  2—39]  S^Abstract  from  Nathan  Blake's  Petition.,  ad- 
dressed to  the  Governor  and  Assembly.,  fan.  2(5*,  v/do.] 

Most  Humbly  Sheweth — Nathan  Blake  of  Hampton  in  the 
Province  aforesaid  yeoman  that  whereas  I the  petitioner  the 
said  Nathan  was  out  in  his  Majestys  Sarvice  in  the  last  Sum- 


HAMPTON. 


123 


mer  in  the  new  Hampshier  Ridgiment  Command  by  Col  John 
Goffe  in  the  Company  Commanded  by  Capt.  Jeremiah  Mars- 
ton  and  came  from  number  four  about  the  20*^^  of  november  last 
and  got  home  to  my  own  house  the  29*^  of  said  november,  and 
well  when  I came  home  and  after  I had  been  at  home  eleven 
days  I was  taken  sick  and  brook  out  with  the  small  pox  which 
was  verey  shoking  and  destresing  to  me  and  to  my  family  who 
all  left  me  and  went  to  a house  at  a distance  and  no  body  with 
me  for  some  days  but  onely  Ceazer  Long. * * * 

[He  was  attended  by  Dr.  Emery  and  Tristram  Redman. 
Supplies  were  furnished  by  Major  Moulton,  for  all  of  which 
he  presents  a bill  amounting  to  £10,  8,  3,  new  tenor,  which 
was  ordered  to  be  paid,  and  charged  to  the  expedition  fund. 
Ed.] 


[4-216]  \_Relative  to  Small- Pox ^ 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esqr  Captain  General 
& Commander  in  Chief  in  & over  his  Majesties  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  And  to  the  Honorable  his  Majesties  Coun- 
cil And  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province  now  Conven’d 

May  it  please  Your  Excellency  & the  Honorable  Council  & 
the  General  Assembly — 

The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Minister  & Two  vSelectmen  of 
Hampton  Town,  Humbly  Sheweth  — 

Whereas  it  hath  pleased  God  in  his  Sovereign  Providence  to 
send  the  Small  pox  among  us,  & we  have  the  Greatest  Reason 
to  fear  it  will  soon  spread  into  divers  parts  of  the  Town  If 
Speedy  & Effectual  Care  be  not  taken  to  prevent  it — And 
though  The  Select  Men  have  Impressd  several  houses  to  re- 
move suspected  persons  into,  according  to  Law — Yet  they  have 
been  resisted  by  the  owners  of  those  houses — & their  Lives 
threatned — So  that  the  Major  Part  of  the  Select  Men  are  dis- 
coraged  & Determind  to  do  Nothing  further.  And  our  present 
Danger  being  extremely  great — We  do  therefore  most  humbly 
& Earnestly  Entreat  that  the  Legislature  of  this  Province  now 
assembled,  would  be  pleased  Imediately  to  appoint  & empower 
some  sutable  persons  to  Come  Imediately  & remove  these  In- 
fected persons  to  Sutable  places.  One  of  which  lives  so  near  to 
the  Meeting  house,  that  the  publick  worship  of  God  must  be 
broken  up  if  not  remov’d,  & the  other  person  Living  close  upon 
the  Country  Road  in  the  Heart  of  The  Town — which  will  pre- 
vent all  Travellers  as  well  as  Endanger  Considerable  Neighbor- 
hoods— We  do  therefore  earnestly  beg  the  Imediate  help  of 


124 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


You  Our  Civil  Fathers,  According  as  You  in  your  Great  Wis 
dom  Shall  see  fitt,  And  so  Your  Petitioners  shall  ever  pray  &c 
Hampton  May  : lytcS — 

Ward  Cotton 

John  Weeks — Two  of  ye 

Josiah  Shaw — Selectmen 


N B : One  is  supposed  to  have  broke  out  yesterday  & the 
other  is  expected  to  Break  out  every  Day 


[4-218]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  Ministerial  Rates^ 
Province  of  Newhampshire 

at  a Legal  meeting  of  the  freeholders  & Inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Hampton  held  at  the  meeting  House  In  said  town  on 
tuesday  the  twenty-first  Day  of  March  1768 

I voted  Chrisfi  Toppan  Esq*"  is  Chosen  moderator  for  said 
meeting 

voted  to  Excuse,  mr  Amos  Coffin  & Stephen  Page  from 
Paying  their  ministers  Rates  for  the  three  years  Past — 
Hampton  march  27^^  1770 — 

a true  Copy  attest — Joseph  Dow  : town  C^ 


[4-219]  \_Relative  to  a Lottery^  i‘jgoJ\ 

We  the  Subscribers  being  informed  that  there  is  a Town 
Meeting  Called  in  Hampton  to  see  if  the  Town  will  Vote  to 
petition  the  General  Court  for  Liberty  to  raise  a sum  of  money 
by  Lottery  Sufficient  to  Raise  Hampton  Causeway  to  such  a 
hight  as  to  make  it  Safe  and  Convenient  passing  at  highwater 
when  the  Tides  are  high  and  as  we  have  been  informed  that 
some  persons  have  Doubted  whether  the  owners  of  the  marsh 
and  Meadow  Laying  above  said  Causeway  would  Consent  that 
it  should  be  raised  we  being  owners  of  said  Marsh  & Meadow 
have  no  objection  but  are  desirous  that  it  may  be  done  Provided 
there  be  sufficient  sluceways  for  the  water  being  Sensable  of 
the  very  great  advantage  it  would  be  to  travellers  Especially  to 
Strangers  the  passing  over  which  Causeway  often  times  is  not 
only  Dificult  but  dangerous  & at  some  times  Impracticable 

December  the  14^^  1790 

To  the  Select  men  of  Hampton  to  be  Communicated  to  the 
Town  at  the  meeting 

Anos  Coffin  Cotton  Ward  Simeon  Shaw 

Samuel  Drake  John  Taylor  John  Fogg 


HAMPTON. 


125 


Josiah  Shaw 
Sam*  Weare 
Stephen  Coffin 
Reuben  Dearbon 
Benjamin  Shaw 


David  Bachelder 
Robert  Marshall 
Simon  Brown 
Joseph  Dow 


Caleb  sanborn 
Mickel  dalton 
James  Wedgwood 
John  Drake 


[4-220]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  a Lottery^ 

State  of  Newhampshire — 

Rockingham  ss  at  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Hampton  held  at  the  meeting-House  In  said  Town 
on  monday  the  27**^  Day  of  December  1790 — 

Voted  unanimous  to  Petition  the  General  Court  at  their  next 
session  for  a Grant  of  a Lottery,  in  order  to  Collect  a Sum  of 
money  Sufficient  to  pay  the  Cost  of  Raising  the  town  Cause- 
way in  said  Hampton  so  High  as  to  prevent  High  Tides  & 
freshets  overflowing  the  Same — 

Voted  Joseph  Dow  Philip  Towle  Josiah  Moulton  Jonathan 
Garland  Josiah  Dearbon  John  Fogg  & Cotton  ward  be  & hereby 
are  Impowered  a Committee  (in  behalf  of  said  Town)  to  pre- 
pare a Petition  and  present  the  Same  to  the  General  Court  for 
the  purpose  as  above  mentioned — 

Hampton  Jan^  3**  1791  — 

a Copy  attest  Joseph  Dow  : town  Clerk 


[4-221]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  raise  Money  by  Lottery 
to  repair  a Bridge^  etc.^  /yp/.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  HoiF*®  The  Senate,  & House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  Convened,  January  5**^  ^79^  — 

Respectfully  Shews, 

The  Subscribers,  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampton  ; 
that  the  main  Road  from  Boston,  to  Portsmouth,  in  passing 
through  said  Town,  crosses  one  main  Branch  of  Hampton 
River,  & Salt  Meadow  Ground,  for  about  half  a Mile  in 
length  ; over  which  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  by  much  labor, 
& Expence  have  built  a bridge  & a Causeway,  & have  kept  the 
same  in  as  good  Repair,  as  could  possibly  be  expected  consid- 
ering the  smallness  of  the  Town,  & the  very  great  Expendi- 
tures it  required — Nevertheless  by  high  Tides  & Freshets,  it  is 
frequently  rendered  impassable,  & at  other  times  dangerous,  & 
difficult  for  Travellers  ; & as  the  Cost  of  raising  said  Causeway 


126 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


to  such  an  height  as  to  make  it  safe  & convenient  passing  at  all 
Seasons,  would  exceed  the  Abilities  of  the  Town,  & consider- 
ing the  great  Advantage  it  would  be  to  the  publick  to  have  it 
done  ; Induces  us  to  petition  your  Honors  for  Liberty  to  raise  a 
sufficient  Sum  by  Lotteiy  to  effect  it,  under  such  Regulations, 
and  Restrictions  as  you  may  think  proper,  & your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pra}* — 


Joseph  Dow 
Philip  Towle 
Josiah  Moulton 
Joiff  Garland 
Josiah  Dearbon 
John  Fogg 
Cotton  ward 


Committee  in 
behalf  of  the 
Town  of 
Hampton 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Jan.  22,  1791,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted,  with  the  proviso  that  any  surplus  should  be  the 
property  of  the  state. — Ed.] 


[4-222]  \_Kelative  to  aforenamed  Lottery^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hon^^®  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  Convened  June  1791  — 

Respectfully  shews  That  a petition  was  presented  to  the 
General  Court  at  their  last  Session  by  Joseph  Dow  Esq'  and 
others  a Committee  in  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Hampton  pray- 
ing for  libertv  to  raise  a Sufficient  sum  of  money  by  Lottery  to 
raise  Hampton  Causway — the  prayer  of  which  Petition  was 
granted  by  the  then  Hoiff*^  House  but  was  ordered  to  lay  by  the 
Ijon^ie  3enate  the  Subscriber  begs  leave  to  request  of  your 
Hono®  that  you  would  take  the  Subject  matter  of  said  petition 
into  your  Consideration  & make  such  order  thereon  as  you  may 
think  proper  and  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 

Christo'  Toppan  in  behalf  of  the 

Committee 

The  Committee  on  petitions  for  Lotteries,  Report  that  the 
Committee  for  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hampton  have 
leave  to  Introduce  a bill  to  Raise  by  lottery  the  Sum  of  Eight 
hundred  pounds,  under  such  Restrictions  as  the  Court  shall 
direct,  for  the  purposes  afores*^ 
which  is  submitted  b\^  Daniel  Emerson  Jr  for 


the  Com* 


HAMPTON. 


127 


[4-223]  \_Relative  to  Church  Matters^  iyg6C\ 


State  of  New-bampshire 


To  the  honourable  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  for  said 

State  in  General  Court  convened  at  Exeter  the  first  Wednes- 
day of June  1796 — 

Humbly  shew  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  Hampton  in  the 
county  of  Rockingham  and  state  aforesaid.  That  they  always 
have  been  and  are  conscientiously  of  the  congregational  persua- 
sion which  has  been  the  established  mode  of  public  Worship  in 
said  Town  ever  since  the  first  settlement  thereof  untill  very 
lately — When  about  one  third  of  the  church  and  a major  part 
of  the  congregation,  professing  themselves  Presbyterians,  called 
& Settled  a Minister  of  the  presbyterian  order,  notwithstanding 
the  rest  of  the  church  and  congregation  dissented  therefrom. 
The  dissentients  being  conscientiously  of  a difterent  persuasion, 
and  desirous  of  worshipping  their  creator  in  a social  manner, 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  conscience  ; have  since  the 
unhappy  separation  took  place,  provided  a house  for  public 
worship  and  procured  preaching  at  their  own  expence,  and 
being  anxious  to  join  with  the  church  of  congregationalists  in 
said  Town,  in  settling  a minister  of  their  own  persuasion  Your 
petitioners  pray  that  they  with  the  congregational  church  there 
may  be  erected  into  a Poll  Parish  and  vested  with  such  rights 
and  privileges  as  other  parishes  have  and  exercise,  and  your 
petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c 


Samuel  Dow 
Simon  Marston 
James  Philbrick 
moses  Brown 
Josiah  Dearbon 
Abraham  Perkins 
Jim" 

Daniel  Ware 
James  Philbrick  Ji 
Nathaniel  Johnson 
Stephen  marsten 
Samuel  Philbrick 
Simon  Lane 
Elisha  Towle 
Reuben  Dow 
Elisha  Marston 
Samuel  Philbrick  j 
Phinehas  Feltch 
John  perkins 
Ashel  marston 


Joseph  Leach 
John  Lamprey 
Ephraim  Marston 
Jonathan  Lock 
Joseph  Philbrick  Ju 
Joseph  Palmer 
Benj"  B Shaw 
Abner  Page 
moses  Perkins 
Samuel  Drake 
Joseph  S Dearborn 
Winthrop  Sanborn 
Samuel  Blake 
Elisha  Moulton 
Samuel  Palmer 
Jonathan  Gofery  j 
Jacob  marston 
Daniel  Lamprey 
John  Brown 
Joseph  Redman 


Morris  Hobbs 
Jeremiah  Marston 
John  Dow 
Samuel  mace 
Amos  Knowles 
Jon'^  Garland 
John  Batchelder 
Nathan  Browm 
Josiah  mason 
Samuel  Sanborn 
Sam’^  Page 
Daniel  Marston 
James  Lane 
Joseph  mace 
David  LamPrey 
Nathaniel  Lock 
Jeremiah  Plobbs 
Simon  Lane  Jr 
Simeon  Shaw 
Sam''  S.  Page 


128 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  Readman 
Joseph  Dow 
Zaccheus  Brown 
Daniel  Brown 
Samuel  Marston 
Trustram  Godfree 


Simon  Brown 
Christo*'  Toppan 
Jeremiah  Knowles 
Elisha  Brown 
Simeon  Blake 
Josiah  marston 


John  Green 
Elisha  Towle  J*" 
Isaiah  Dow 
Reuben  Lamprey 
Joseph  Palmer  Jun*" 


[4-225] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  said 
State  in  General  Court  convened  at  Concord  November  23*^ 
1796. 

Humbly  shews  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  Hampton  in 
the  county  of  Rockingham  and  State  aforesaid  had  not  an  oppor- 
tunity to  sign  a petition  in  June  last  to  be  incorporated  into  a 
Congregational  poll  parish  in  Hampton  and  that  they  desire  to 
be  considered  as  if  they  had  then  signed  said  petition 

Hampton  November  23*^  i79^* 

Joseph  Towle  Moses  Shaw  Joshua  mace 

Josiah  Dow  David  Philbrick 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  6,  1796,  a hearing  was  ordered  for 
the  next  session,  at  which,  on  the  6th  day  of  December,  an 
act  was  passed  to  incorporate  the  “ Congregational  Society 
in  Hampton.” — Ed.] 


[4-226]  \^List  of  Land  Owners^  about  lyj 8. 

A List  of  the  Land  owned  in  Hampton  When  North  Hamp- 
ton was  Set  off  as  a Parish  & Since  owned  as  Rateable  in  Said 


Parish 

Quantity 

Former  owners 

of  Land 

Present  owners 

Reuben  Sanborn 

12  acres 

Cap*  Hoite 

Jona  Dearborn 

24  Ditto 

Josiah  Dalton 

Henry  Dearborn 

74 

jenny 

Joseph  & Ezekiel 
Moulton 

I48 

Jona.  Brown  & others 

Samuel  Palmer 

24 

Jona  Page 

Willi”*  Smith 

16 

Stephen  Page  & others 

Thomas  Nudd 

12 

David  Page 

James  Towle 

12 

Stephen  Page 

HAMPTON. 


129 


Joseph  Towle  10  acres 

Jona  Marston  90 

Joseph  Radman  40 

Peter  Johnson  140 

Joseph  Batchelder  25 

Caleb  Towle  20 

Tona  Sanborn  & ) 

J \ 20 

James  Johnson  ) 

John  Batchelder  12 

David  Dowe  30 

Jacob  Marston  25 

Jona  Godfrey  15 

Christ*’  Page  10 


Edward  Wilmot  & ) 
Nathan  Godfrey  f 
Zechariah  & ) 

Sam^^  Brown  ) 

Sam^^  Palmer  Esqr  18 


Sam’^  Brown  & ) 
Thomas  Nudd  J 
Peter  Johnson 
Thomas  Brown 
Simon  Dowe 
Jonathan  Freess  & 
James  Johnson 
Epharim  Marston 
Moses  Perkins 
Zechariah  & ) 
Sam*^  Brown  ) 
Sanf*  Palmer 
Jona  Garland 
Jeremiah  Moulton 
Joseph  Radman 
John  Moulton 
Sam’^  Dowe 
Nehemiah  Hobbs 
Joseph  Taylor 


18 

12 

6 

12 

9 

6 

6 


36 


12 

10 


James  Godfrey 
Ebenezer  Loverin 
Daniel  Dowe 
DocP  Dearborn  & others 
Decon  Sam^‘  Batchelder 
Simeon  Marston 

Joseph  Garland  & others 

Decon  Benj^  Hobbs 
Zachariah  Towle  & others 
Joseph  Moulton  & others 
Joseph  Moulton  & others 
Joseph  Moulton  & others 

abner  Fogg 

Isaac  Jennes  & others 

Moris  Lamprey  & Thomas 
Cotton 

Jacob  Brown 

Tristram  Radman 
John  Brown 

Josiah  Batchelder  & others 
Thomas  Cotton 

Tristram  Radman 

Tristram  Radman 


Benj^  Philbrick 


Tristram  Radman 
Henry  Batchelder 


S54 

the  three  following  Farmes  the  most  of  them  was  ound  in 
Town  Since  they  were  Sett  off  as  a Parish  Viz 

Capt  Abner  Fogg  Esq*" 

James  Batchelder  & 

Jona  Brown 

II 


130 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 

This  town  was  formerly  a part  of  Hampton. 

In  1709,  by  a vote  of  the  council,  the  inhabitants  of  that 
portion  of  the  town  of  Hampton  west  of  Taylor’s  river, 
called  Hampton  Falls,  were  authorized  to  choose  assessors, 
and  raise  money  for  “ the  maintenance  of  such  learned  and 
orthodox  minister  to  officiate  in  the  New  Church  ” as  they 
might  call  to  service  there,  with  advice  of  Rev.  Mr.  Cotton. 

In  1685  there  were  212  inhabitants  in  what  is  now 
Hampton  Falls. 

In  council,  May  12,  1718,  Peter  Weare  and  others  “ of  the 
new  parish”  petitioned  that  it  might  be  separated  from  the 
old  parish,  and  were  granted  the  privilege  of  holding  annual 
meetings  to  choose  selectmen  and  other  officers  to  manage 
their  parish  affairs,  and  to  choose  one  representative  to  the 
general  assembly,  but  were  to  pay  province  rates  as  they 
had  before.  In  accordance  therewith  they  met  and  chose 
Peter  Weare  as  assemblyman,  who  took  his  seat  October  7, 
1718.  He  was  speaker  of  the  house  in  1724. 

John  Farmer  says  Hampton  Falls  “was  separated  and 
incorporated  in  1712.”  I do  not  find  this  to  be  the  fact; 
but  do  find  that  they  were  not  entirely  separated  in  parish 
affairs  until  November  23,  1726.  After  that  each  parish 
was  to  be  free  from  the  other  in  raising  their  ministers* 
salaries. 

The  west  part  of  the  town  was  set  off  April  i,  1737,  and 
incorporated  into  the  town  of  Kensington. 

June  3,  1768,  the  town  was  again  divided,  the  south  part 
set  off,  and  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Seabrook. 

By  an  act  passed  December  4,  1742,  a part  of  the  town  of 
South  Hampton  was  annexed  to  this  town. 

December  7,  1816,  a small  tract  of  land  was  severed  from 
this  town,  and  annexed  to  Seabrook. 


[4-227]  \_Petition  for  Grant  of  a Township — no  dateJ\ 

To  his  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq^  Governour  and 
Commander  in  Chief  In  and  Over  His  Majesty’s  Province  of 
New  Ilamps® ; in  New  England  ; And  the  Hon'^^®  his  Majes- 
ty’s Councill  in  Said  Province — 

The  Humble  Address  and  Petition  of  Sundry  of  his  Majest}^s 
Loyal  Subjects  Inhabitants  of  Hampton-falls  in  Said  Province ; 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


I3I 

Praying  that  Your  Petitioners  may  be  Sliarers  in  Such  Grants 
of  Land  as  may  be  made  to  his  Majesties  Subjects  in  this  Prov- 
ince : That  Your  Petitioners  may  have  A Township  Granted 
them  of  Ten  Miles  Square  Lying  Upon  Amuskieg  fall  or  In 
Such  other  place  and  of  Such  Dimensions  as  to  Your  Excellen- 
cy And  Honours  in  Your  Great  Wisdom  And  Goodness  shall 
Seem  Proper:  And  Your  Petitioners  As  In  Duty  Bound  shall 
Ever  Pray 


Joseph  Tilton 
Benj“  Swett 
Ralph  Butler 
Josiah  Bachelder 
Richard  nason 
Bradbury  Green 
Jacob  Stanyan 
Samuel  Lane 
Timothy  morgin 
John  Treadwell 
Jonathan  Nason 
Joshua  Purinton 
Sam^^  Present 
Nathan  Tilton 
Jeramiah  Pearson 
Benjamin  Swett 
Juner 

Elisha  Prescut 
Robard  Row 
Jonatha  Cram 
Ebnezer  Present 
Charles  Stuard 
Simon  fogg 
Jacob  Brown 
John  Philbrick 
Jonathan  Gove 
Abner  Philbrick 
John  green 
John  brown  Quarto 


Job  Haskell 
Jabez  Smith 
Sam'*  Shaw 
John  Brown 
Timothy  Hilyard 
Abner  Sanborn 
Walter  Williams 
Thomas  Brown 
Jonathan  Stuward 
Edmond  Brown 
obadiah  worth 
Daniel  Peirkins 
John  Robie 
Timothy  Tilton 
Enoch  Carter 
Abaraham  Bachel- 
der 

Joseph  Whipple 
Robert  Miller 
Abraham  Green 
Edward  Gove 
John  Gove 
Jonathan  Green 
Amos  Cass 
John  Cl  afford 
Jonathan  Tilton 
David  swett 
John  Tilton 
John  Gove  Juner 


Caleb  sanborn 
John  Swain 
Stephen  Swett 
Winthrop  dow 
thomas  Boyd 
Robert  quinbe 
Timothy  Blak  June 
Benjamin  Sanborn 
Ebenezer  Sanburn 
Thomas  Cram 
nathanel  Gove 
Meshech  Weare 
Joseph  Bachelder 
Thomas  Leavit 
Enoch  Gove 
Edward  williams 
Jacob  Freese 
IMatthew  Morton 
John  worth 
John  Swain  JuiP 
Reuben  Sanborn 
theopillus  Bachelor 
Dan*  swett 
Jonathan  Hilyard 
Hanary  Robie 
Enoch  Sanborn 
Benj“  Hilyard 
Ebenezer  Gove  juner 
Abraham  dow 


[4-229]  \^Petition  of  yohn  Bf'own^  Innholder ^ for  the  friv- 
ilege  of  a Town  Fair^  about 

Province  of  Newhamp’’ 

To  His  Exelencey  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq’^  CapE  general  Gov- 
ournor  and  Cumander  in  Cheaf  in  and  over  y®  Province  of 
Newhampshier  and  Province  Massachusets  bay  in  New-Eng- 
land  &c — 


132 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


To  the  Hon^^®  His  Maj®*®  Councel  and  Hous  of  Represent*  Now 
Setting  in  Portsmouth  in  The  Province  of  Newhampshier — 
By  an  Ajournment — The  Humble  Petition  of  John  Brown 
Inholder  in  Hampton-falls  Most  Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  whare  as  Thare  Hath  Been  in  the  Year  Past  Two  Meet- 
tings  of  Not  ondly  y®  People  of  This  province  But  of  the  Nigh- 
bouring  province  also  att  Your  Petitionours  Hous  for  to  Bye 
and  Sell  all  Sorts  of  Quick  Stock  and  Sundry  othor  Traidings 
Which  hath  Proved  Greatly  Benificial  to  many  in  This  our 
Province  and  to  many  others  farthur  East  then  our  Province 
Extendes  Aas  also  to  y®  Byers  many  of  them  Came  from  Boston 
and  from  y®  Nighbouring  towns  thare  unto  and  bought  many 
Hundred  Pounds  worth  of  fatt  Cattle  fatt  Sheep  and  Lambs  and 
y®  Like  Thay  haveing  a Carttain  market  to  go  unto — 

And  whare  as  Your  Petitionour®  Hous  is  Thought  to  Stand 
in  y®  Most  Accommodaiting  place  espeschaly  for  y®  byers  thay 
Cuming  from  y®  South-ward  y®  Most  of  Them  as  also  whare  y® 
Roads  meet  from  all  y®  Towns  in  This  Province  And  upon  y® 
Great  Road  from  y®  Eastward  and  So  Most  Accomodeating  to 
all— 

Therefore  Your  Petitionour  Most  Humbly  Prays  that  This 
Cort  wold  Grant  y®  Liborty  of  haveing  three  fairs  in  a year  att 
your  Petitionours  hous  in  Hampton-falls  Yearly  and  y*  y®  first 
may  be  upon  y®  Second  wedensday  and  Thirdsday  in  May  And 
y^y®Seccond  fair  be  upon  y®  Seccond  Wedensday  and  Thirdsday 
in  Augost  and  y®  Third  upon  y®  Last  Wedensday  and  Thirdsday 
in  Octob'' — And  as  In  Deuty  Bound  shall  Ever  Pray — 

[The  selectmen  petitioned,  October  lo,  1734,  for  the 
same  privilege,  which  was  granted.  See  Vol.  IX,  page  340. 
— Ed.] 


[4-22S]  \^Deposition  of  foshua  Peirce.~\ 

The  Deposition  of  Joshua  Peirce  Esq*'  who  Testifies  and  Says 
that  he  very  well  Remembers  that  in  or  about  the  year  1717 
Log  House  that  did  belong  to  Peter  Wear  Esq’'  late  of  Hampton 
Falls  Deceased  in  which  he  formerly  keept  Tavern  was  Licenced 
for  that  Purpose  by  the  Government  and  that  he  always  under- 
stood it  was  So  Granted  as  to  be  a Privilege  annexed  to  the  Said 
Estate  and  alienable  with  that  the  Depon‘  being  a Member  of 
the  Lower  House  at  the  time  the  Said  Grant  was  made 

Josh : Peirce 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


133 


[4-230]  \_Petition  relative  to  77iaking  a new  Town  of  the 

West  Part^  77J<5.] 

To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*'  Governour  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesties  province  of  New 
Hamp*"  to  the  Honourable  his  Majesties  Council  of  the  s*^ 
province,  and  the  Representatives  in  gen'^  Assembly  con- 
vened at  Portsm®  in  the  s*'  province,  this  day  of  March 
an:  Domini  1736/7 

The  Petition  of  Joseph  Wadley  Ezekiel  Dow  John  Batchel- 
der  and  Jonathan  Present  John  Wear  most  humbly  Sheweth 
That  at  the  Sessions  of  the  geif'  Assembly  of  this  province 
in  the  month  of  May — A : D ; 1735.  Your  Petitioners  with  Sun- 
dry others  to  the  Number  of  about  Sixty  who  were  Inhabitants 
of  the  West  part  of  Hampton  Falls  parish  did  prefer  a Petition 
to  Your  Excellency  and  the  Honourable  Assembly  praying  that 
they  might  be  Set  of  a Seperate  Parish  by  themselves,  which 
Petition  was  acted  upon  at  the  last  Sessions  of  the  assembly 
after  a full  hearing  of  the  s*^  Parish  by  their  Attornies,  on  the 
one  part  and  Your  Petitioners  and  their  other  Companions  on 
the  other  part  and  there  it  was  ordered  by  Your  Excellency  and 
the  Honourable  Assembly  that  a Committee  Should  be  ap- 
pointed to  goe  upon  the  Spot  and  make  enquirv  into  the  affair, 
to  Survey  the  whole  parish  and  to  See  whether  it  was  big 
enough  for  Two,  and  if  they  found  it  was  big  enough  for  Two 
then  to  prefix  a Line  and  to  make  a return  to  the  gen'^  Assem- 
bly on  the  third  day  of  their  Sessions,  and  your  Petitioners  fur- 
ther Shew  that  Soon  after  the  passing  of  that  order  both  the 
Petition  and  order  are  Consumed  to  ashes  in  the  burning  of 
the  Secretaries  house  in  whose  keeping  they  were,  and  that 
notwithstanding  they  were  So  consumed  and  destroyed  yet  the 
Committee  who  were  appointed  have  proceeded  and  acted 
thereon,  and  it  being  now  the  time  appointed  for  them  to  make 
their  return  thereof,  they  are  accordingly  attending  for  that  end, 
your  Petitioners  therefore  pray  that  your  Excellency  and  the 
Honourable  Assembly  will  please  to  accept  thereof  and  to  con- 
firm the  Same,  so  your  Petitioners  Shall  ever  pray  &c 

Jonathan  Present  Joseph  wadleigh  John  Bachelder 

John  Weare  Ezekiel  Dow 


[4—231]  \^Com7nittee  appomted  to  fx  Division  Line^  ana 
Report  of  said  Committee^  //jd.] 

Prov  of  New  Hamps*"  Aprill  24 — 1736 
In  the  House  of  Representatives 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  West  end  of  Hampton  was  heard  on 


134 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


theire  Petition  for  a Precinct,  according  to  the  day  Limitted 
Last  Sessions  and  the  parrish  of  Hampton  falls  was  present  by 
their  Selectmen  and  both  parties  heard — 

And  voted  that  there  be  a Committee 

Entred  on  the  Back  of  the  Petition  viz 

The  within  Petition  was  Read  & the  Petitioners  and  the  se- 
lect men  of  Hampton  falls  parish  was  heard  thereon  by  their 
Councill 

The  House  having  Considered  thereon 

Voted  Capt  Edward  Hall  and  m*"  Samuell  Palmer  be  a Com- 
mittee of  this  House  to  Joyne  with  Such  as  the  Hon'^’®  the  Coun- 
cill Shall  appoint,  to  Go  and  view  Hampton  falls  parish,  and 
See  if  at  present  its  Reasonable  there  be  a new  precinct  Set  off, 

and  if  in  their  Judgment  it  oft  So  to  be.  Then  to  view  the 
precinct  and  Consider  what  district  may  be  Set  off  to  them 
having  regard  to  the  Qiiaintity  & Quallity  of  the  Land,  and  to 
make  return  to  the  next  Geff^  assembly  on  the  third  day  of  their 
Sitting  and  Each  party  pay  half  the  Charges  of  Said  Committee 

James  Jeffry  Cle’'  ass™ 

the  same  day  a Mess^  Came  down  that  the  Board  had  Con- 
curr’d  with  the  above  Vote  and  that  Theodore  Atkinson  & Jo- 
seph Sherburn  Esq’'  were  appointed  a Committee  by  the  Board 
to  Joyne  the  Committe  of  the  House  on  the  affaire  of  Hampton 
falls — 

Copy  out  of  the  Journall  of  the  House  of  Representatives 

Attest  James  Jeffry  Cle’’  ass™ 

According  to  the  within  Vote  we  whose  names  are  under 
written  have  been  at  Hampton  falls  Parrish  & do  report  thereon 
that  we  apprehend  that  the  best  Place  for  a Dividing  Line  in 
case  the  GovernnP  Should  think  Proper  to  Divide  the  S*^  Par- 
rish is  to  begin  at  Stone  Bridge  & run  West  & bv  North  half  a 
mile  & from  thence  on  a Streight  Line  till  it  Crosses  Horse  hill 
road  forty  rods  below  or  to  the  Eastward  of  JoiP  Browns  House 
& so  on  a Streight  continued  Line  till  it  Intersects  the  Dividing 
Line  between  Salisbury  & Hampton  & from  the  beginning  of 
the  first  S*^  Half  mile  above  Stone  Bridge  the  S'^  Line  to  Extend 
on  the  Same  Course  as  from  Salisbury  Line  to  Exeter  Line 

Septemb’’  2^  1736 

Joseph  Sherburn 
TheodoreAtkinson 
Edward  Hall 
Samuel  Palmer 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


135 


[4-230] 


\^Action  of  Legislature.^ 


Mar.  29^^  1737*  the  House  of  Representatives  The  Peti- 
tioners of  the  within  Petition  was  heard  (the  opposite  parties 
not  appearing)  & voted  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be 
granted,  and  the  Petitioners  be  set  of  a Distinct  Parish  accord- 
ing to  the  Bound  prefixt  In  the  Returne  Committe  ; and  that 
they  have  Liberty  to  Bring  in  theire  Bill  accordingly 

James  Jeffry  Ch  Ass“ 

In  Council  March  30:  i737 

Read  and  Concurred  Rich‘s  waldron  Sec*^ 


Same  day  assented  to  J.  Belcher. 


[An  act  passed,  April  i,  1737,  incorporating  the  territory 
asked  for  into  a “ distinct  parish  by  the  name  of  Kensing- 
to7iy  The  following  September  another  act  was  passed 
slightly  changing  the  bounds. — Ed.] 


£4-232]  \_Petition  for  a Change  of  Dates  of  the  JRairs^ 

^73S-'] 

To  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*"  Cap*  Genaral  Govournour  and  Cum- 
ander  In  Cheaf  In  and  Over  his  Majest®*  Province  of  y* 
Masachusetts  Bay  In  Newengland  And  thes  His  Majestes 
Province  of  Newhampshier 

The  Most  Humble  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Selectmen 
for  y®  Parrish  of  Hampton  falls  in  Behalf  of  s'*  Parish  Most 
Humbly  Sheweth  That  altho  with  humble  Thankfullness  we 
Acknowledg  your  Exelencyes  and  Plon'"®  Goodness  and  favour 
done  unto  us  in  Granting  unto  us  & our  Successors  for  Ever  to 
Hould  And  Keep  Two  Fairs  in  a Year  the  first  to  begin  upon 
the  Last  Tusday  in  Apriel  And  the  other  to  begin  the  Last 
Tusday  in  October  Yearly  Which  Grant  was  made  y®  24**^  day 
of  Oct*"  A.  D.  1734 

Yett  Since  it  So  happens  that  our  first  Fair  proves  to  be  in 
the  midest  of  our  planting  Seasond — Viz,  that  in  Apriel  And 
that  in  October  proves  to  be  too  Late  upon  Account  of  what  we 
have  to  Despose  of  Cheafly  As  Grass  fead  Cattle  Sheep  &c — 
Which  to  Geather  with  many  Other  Reasonds  too  tedeious  to 
Trouble  your  Exelencies  and  Hon*'®  with 

We  Your  Most  Humble  Petitionours  most  Humbly  Pray 
That  Your  Exelencie  And  this  Hon***®  Councel  wold  pleas  to 
alter  our  Fairs  for  the  feuture 

That  for  the  Time  to  Come  the  Fairs  here  may  begin  upon 
the  Second  tusday  in  June  and  Continue  two  days — 


136 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Also  That  for  y®  time  to  Come  our  fall  Fair  begin  upon  the 
third  Tusday  in  September  Anualy  and  for  ever  & continue  two 
days  And  that  a Clark  be  also  Appointed  to  attend  s*^  Fair  Ac- 
cording to  what  may  be  Coustomary  or  Necessary  for  y®  Good 
of  the  publick  And  what  Others  Mesurs  to  prevent  Disorders 
eviel  Deeds  and  all  breaches  of  Law  As  You  In  Your  Great 
wisdom  may  See  meet — 

And  As  in  Deuty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray — 

And  we  Humbly  Pray  that  ISP  John  Brown  may  be  aloued 
to  prefer  this  our  Petition  And  to  Make  Answars  if  Need  Re- 
quire 

Hampton  falls  Novemb"  7 : 1738 

Josiah  Bachelder  \ Selectmen  for 
Thomas  Cram  > the  Parrish  of 
Benj^  Hillyard  J Hampton  falls 


[4-233]  S^Petition  for  the  granting  of  a Pownship^ 

To  his  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq'  Governour  and 
Commander  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majestys  Province  of 
New  Hamps®  in  New-England,  And  the  HoiP^®  his  Majestys 
Councill  for  Said  Province — 


Humbly  Shew  Your  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Hampton  falls  in  Said  Province  That  Your  Petitioners  being 
Informed  that  Your  Excellency  now  proposes  to  make  Grants 
of  Tracts  of  Land  Sutable  for  Townships,  And  we  having  most 
of  us  families  for  whose  Settlement  we  are  Concern’d  to  Pro- 
vide, so  that  a Grant  of  Land  would  be  Very  Serviceable  to  us, 
And  many  of  us  having  hitherto  had  no  Share  in  Grants  which 
heretofore  have  been  made  And  being  Desirous  to  Share  with 
others  in  Such  Grants  as  may  now  be  made.  We  pray  that  we 
may  have  a Grant  of  a tract  of  Land  Sutable  for  a Township  in 
Some  Convenient  Place,  And  as  the  Season  of  the  Year  will  not 
Admitt  us  now  to  look  Out  a Place  and  take  a Plan  thereof, 
We  prav  that  we  may  have  the  Liberty  when  the  Season  of  the 
Year  will  allow  thereof  to  Look  out  some  Sutable  place  with- 
out the  Grants  which  are  already  made,  And  take  a Plan  thereof 
And  may  have  the  Same  Granted  to  us  And  Your  Petitioners 
shall  Ever  Pray  &c 

Hampton  falls  Feb^  19,  1749 


NatH  Weare 
Jonathan  Fifield 
Jonathan  Green 
Richard  Nason 


Meshech  Weare 
Josiah  Bachelder 
Joseph  Perkins 
Joseph  Whipple 


Stephen  Healey 
Jeremiah  Brown 
Sam^  Prescut 
Joseph  Bachelder 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


137 


Elisha  Prescut 
Jon^  Chase 
Benj*^  Moulton 
Stephen  Cram 
Abner  Philbok 
Nathan  Tilton 
Henrey  Robey 
Samuel  Lane 
Samuel  Tilton 
Jonathan  Hilyard 
Jonathan  Prescutt 
Ruben  Sanborn 
Benj“  Prescutt 


Joshua  Blake 
Thomas  Brown 
Thomas  Cram 
Abner  Sanborn 
Jonathan  Cram 
John  Tilton 
Jonathan  Sweatt 
Benj“  Cram 
Benja  Sweatt  Juner 
Amos  Leavet 
Pain  Row 
John  Chase 
James  Moulton 


Eben*'  Present 
Enoch  Gove 
John  Swain 
Joseph  Worth 
Jonathan  Green  jun’’ 
Jonathan  Tilton 
Beny^  Hilyard 
Samuel  Melsher 
Edward  Gove 
Bradbury  Green 
Beni‘S  Sanborn 
Benj“  Moulton 
Richard  Smith 


[4-234]  \_Petition  of  Quakers  relative  to  Service  in  the  Army^ 

77(5/.] 


Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  Penning  Wentworth  Governour  and  Commander  in  Cheif 
in  and  over  said  Province  the  Council  and  assembly  of  said 
Province.  In  General  assembly  February  3,  1761. — 

The  Petition  of  John  Brown  and  Elijah  Brown  of  Hampton 
falls  in  the  Province  aforesaid  Husbandmen.  Being  members 
of  the  Friendly  Society  Called  Qiiakers — 

That  in  the  war  Some  time  about  four  Years  Since  the  Peti- 
tion*'®  then  living  togather  on  their  farm  in  Common  and  undi- 
vided and  Elijah  Being  a minor  under  the  age  of  Twenty  one 
Years,  he  was  Impressed  to  go  into  the  war  which  he  Refused 
to  obey  as  being  against  his  Relegion  upon  which  Refusal  Na- 
than Green  a Clerk  of  a Companv  to  which  they  said  we  did 
Belong  Came  with  a Warrant  from  the  Cheif  officer  of  said  Reg- 
iment and  took  a Yoke  of  good  four  Year  old  Steers  and  Sold 
them  and  hired  a man  to  go  in  the  Room  of  Elijah,  the  said 
Steers  then  being  also  undivided.  But  this  Grevance  would  not 
have  been  Repeeted  had  not  Something  farther  been  laid  upon 
the  Petitioner  By  an  act  of  the  Goverment  Called  the  Quaker 
act,  past  the  Last  Year  which  they  apprehend  you  have  before 
you  to  Refer  you  to  it,  b}’  which  act  they  are  apprehensive  that 
the  Court  laid  a Burden  on  Some  of  the  Qiiakers  that  was  never 
intended  by  the  Court,  and  Especially  on  the  Petitioners,  for 
after  a man  being  hired  out  of  their  Joint  Substance  they  are 
Tax’t  by  means  of  the  Act  aforesaid  upwards  of  fifty  pounds  old 
Tenor  Each  to  pay  for  their  part  of  the  people  that  was  Called 
the  Quaker  proportion  the  Last  years  War  Which  the  Petitioner 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


138 


apprehend  as  a Very  Great  burden  on  them  as  they  think  they 
were  properly  Cleard  from  that  Duty  for  the  Reasons  afore- 
said— 

Wherefore  the  Petitioners  would  be  Glad  of  the  Considera- 
tion of  this  Court  on  the  matter,  and  order  lis  Such  Releif  in  the 
Last  mentioned  Tax  as  to  you  may  Seem  Right. 

John  Brown 

in  behalf  of  himself  & Brother 

[For  other  matter  relative  to  this,  see  Vol.  XI,  page  709. — 
Ed.] 


[4-235]  \^Relative  to  Incorporation  of  Seabrook^  iy68I\ 
Province  of  Xew  Hamps® 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  March  1768 

Whereas  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampton  falls  have 
Libertv  bv  the  Votes  of  the  General  Assemblv  to  be  set  oft' as  a 
Distinct  Parish  the  Dividing  line  between  the  Old  Parish  and 
the  New  to  be  Setled  by  a Committee  to  be  Appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  And  have  moved  for  Such  a Committee  to 
be  Appointed 

Voted  That  Josiah  Bartlett  Esq'  Doc'  John  Giddings  And 
Doc'Ebenezer  Thompson  be  the  Committee  to  Settle  the  Divid- 
ing Line  Above  mentioned  And  make  Report  to  the  General 
Assembly  As  Soon  as  may  be 

M Weare  Cl' 

In  Council  March  i8‘^  1768 
Read  and  concur’d 

Geo  : King  Dep^  Sec^ 

Assented  to  J Wentworth 


[In  accordance  with  the  foregoing,  an  act  was  passed  June 
3,  1768,  setting  off  the  south-westerly  part  of  the  town,  and 
incorporating  it  into  a parish  by  the  name  of  Seabrook. — 
Ed.] 


[4-23554]  [^Objections  to  the  Meeting  called  by  Justices 
Brya?it  and  Emery ^ Z770.] 

Province  of  New  Hamp® 

To  the  worshipfull  Walter  Bryant  and  Noah  Emery  Esq'*  two 
of  his  majestys  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  said  Province  who 
have  warnd  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampton  falls  to 
be  held  the  30**'  Jan^ 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


139 


The  following  Objections  to  the  Legality  & Propriety  of  the 
Calling  and  holding  said  Meeting  are  humbly  offered — 

I.  Justices  have  no  authority  to  Call  town  meetings  unless 
the  Selectmen  Refuse — But  such  a meeting  as  is  now  Called 
hath  not  been  Requested  of  the  Selectmen  or  Refused  by  them 
Consequently  the  Justices  authority  cannot  take  place 

2 The  Denial  of  the  Selectmen  must  appear  to  be  unreason- 
able Otherwise  Justices  have  no  authority  and  the  Justices  can- 
not know  that  the  Denial  is  unreasonable  without  hearing  what 
Reasons  the  Selectmen  have  to  offer  unless  they  will  Judge 
Exparte  which  cannot  be  presumed — But  in  the  present  case 
the  Selectmen  had  Sufficient  Reason  to  give  (if  they  could  have 
had  Opportunity  to  have  offered  them)  why  they  Did  not  call 
the  meeting  Requested  So  that  if  the  warning  for  this  Meeting 
had  been  the  same  as  was  Requested  of  them  their  Denial  was 
not  unreasonable 

3 On  Supposition  that  in  Strictness  you  might  have  authority 
yet  it  is  humbly  Submitted  whether  it  is  Prudent  to  call  a meet- 
ing for  such  Purposes  as  have  a Direct  tendency  to  bring  the 
Parish  into  much  Greater  Confusion  and  Difficulty  than  any 
already  arisen : and  this  appears  to  be  the  tendancy  of  the 
present  warning 

[No  signature. — Ed.] 


[4-236]  \^Petition  for  the  Appol7it7nent  of  a Cor7i77iittee  to 
settle  Parish  Difficulties^  iyyoJ\ 

Province  of  New  Hamp® 

To  his  Exellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General  Gov- 
erner  and  Commander  in  Cheif  in  and  Over  his  Majestys 
Province  o{  New  Hampshire.  The  HoiP^®  his  Majestys 
Councell  And  House  of  Representatives  for  said  Province  in 
General  Court  Assembled  March  26^^  ^77^ 

Humbly  Shew  Your  Petitioners  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants 
of  Hampton  falls  in  said  Province,  That  many  Disputes  and 
Difficulties  have  Arisen  and  Still  are  Subsisting  in  said  Parish 
Respecting  the  Situation  and  Building  of  a Meeting  House  for 
the  Publick  Worship  of  God  in  said  Parish — That  at  present 
there  Appears  no  Prospect  of  Accomodateing  Matters  and  Set- 
ling  said  Disputes  But  Great  Danger  that  Lawsuits  may  Arise 
And  the  Parish  be  Greatly  Divided  And  put  to  Great  Expence 
and  Difficulty  if  not  wholly  Broken  up  without  the  Interposi- 
tion of  this  Honourable  Court. 


140 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Wherefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly  Pray  that  a Committee 
may  be  Appointed  to  view  the  Situation  of  the  Parish  to  hear 
what  Any  Party  may  have  to  offer  Respecting  the  Situation 
And  Building  of  A Meeting  house  And  to  Make  Report  to  the 
General  Assembly  what  is  best  to  be  Done  by  the  Parish  to  put 
An  End  to  those  Disputes  which  have  Arisen  Respecting  these 
Matters.  And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever 
Pray  &c. 


Joseph  worth 
Joshua  Chase 
W"*  Blasdell 
Jonathan  Stanyan 
Josiah  white 
Meshech  Weare 
Abner  sanborn  Jun 
Nathan  Rowe 
Stephen  Lang 

his 

Tedediah  X Stanyan 

mark 

Enoch  Sanborn 
David  Bachelder 
Theophilus  Sanborn 
Natlf*  Hub^  Dodge 
malachi  Shaw 


Ralph  Butler 
Philip  Burns 

hb 

Richard  X meder 

mark 

Stephen  Cram 
Jacob  Saturlay 
Richard  Nason 
Pain  Row 
Nathan  Cram 
Dudley  Sanborn 
Nathan  Weare 
Abner  Sanborn 
Simeon  Hilyard 
Samuel  Shaw 
Jonathan  Fifield 
Nathan  Green 


Francis  Marshall 
Isaiah  Lane 
Jon*^  Stuward 
william  Lang 
Caleb  Sanborn 
Samuel  Prescutt 
juner 

Sam^  Weare 
Zebulon  Hilyard 
John  keney 
Ebenezer  maloon 
Christopher  Blake 
Hilyard  Shaw 
Jonathan  Fifield  Jur 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  April  ii,  1770,  Thomas  Westbrook  Wal- 
dron, Richard  Downing,  Esqrs.,  and  Dr.  Ebenezer  Thomp- 
son were  appointed  as  a committee  to  look  into  the  matter, 
and  report. — Ed.] 


S^Report  of  the  Comfnitteer^ 

Province  of  New  Llampshire,  June  ^77® 

Pursuant  to  the  order  on  this  Petition,  we  have  viewed  the 
Parish  of  Hampton  Falls  and  heard  what  the  Petitioners  & 
others  of  said  Parish  tho’t  proper  to  offer  on  the  Subject  matter 
thereof — And  altho’  it  does  not  appear  that  the  new  Meeting 
House  is  placed  as  it  could  have  been  for  conveniency  when  the 
Parsonage  House  &c  is  bro’t  into  consideration,  yet  it  is  well 
Situate  for  a House  of  Publick  Worship  for  said  Parish.  And 
therefore  are  of  opinion  that  all  concerned  would  do  well  to 
accept  of  it  as  such. 

And  for  conciliating  affairs  in  the  Parish,  we  think  two 
things  would  have  a tendency  that  way,  viz.  That  such  persons 
of  the  Parish  who  in  three  months  signify  their  inclination  to 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


I4I 

have  Pews  in  the  new  Meeting  House,  should  by  some  resolu- 
tion of  said  Parish  (after  said  three  months,  to  be  taken)  be  put 
on  the  same  foot  relative  to  having  Pews  as  tho’  no  sale  thereof 
had  been. 

And  Secondly  that  those  persons  who  are  better  accommo- 
dated by  the  new  Meeting  House  & assisted  in  building  the 
same,  (and  no  others)  should  present  the  Rev*^  M*"  Pain  Win- 
gate, with  the  Sum  of  Sixty  pounds,  in  order  to  provide  Suit- 
able carriage  &c  for  Travel  of  himself  & family  to  and  from 
Meeting.  And  this  seems  reasonable,  in  consideration  the 
House  of  Publick  worship  will  be  near  Two  miles  distance 
more  from  him  than  it  was  when  he  settled  ; and  in  general  so 
much  the  more  commodious  to  those  on  which  this  otherwise 
seeming  burthen  is  proposed  to  be  laid. 

All  which  is  most  Humbly  submitted  by 

Tho®  Waldron 
Rich*^  Downing 
Eben’'  Thompson 


[R.  2-45]  \^Louisbourg  Soldier^ 

[In  a petition  dated  May  6,  1746,  Sarah  French,  of  Hamp- 
ton Falls,  states  that  she  is  “ Widow  and  Relict  of  John 
French  Late  of  Hampton  falls  who  Died  at  Louisbourg  in  the 
service  of  his  King  and  Country  and  left  a Large  family  of 
Small  Children.”  She  asks  for  assistance.  The  petition 
was  dismissed,  as  her  husband  was  in  the  service  of  Massa- 
chusetts.— Ed.] 


[R.  2-46]  [ Crown  Point  Soldier^  77yd.] 

[William  French  of  this  town  was  in  the  Crown  Point 
expedition,  Ezekiel  Worthen’s  Co.,  Col.  Nathaniel  Me- 
serve’s  Reg.  He  entered  May  i ; dismissed  October  18. — 
Ed.] 


[R.  2-47]  \_Abigail  Dwui7ieir s Petition^  775^.] 

[In  a petition  dated  May  15,  1759,  Abigail  Dwinnell,  of 
Hampton  Falls,  states  that  she  is  the  widow  of  Amos  Dwin- 
nell, who  “ was  a soldier  in  the  Service  of  this  Province  at 
Albany  in  the  year  1756  where  he  died.” — Ed.] 


142 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-4S]  \_Petition  of  Isaac  Tobey^  i^6oI\ 

[In  a petition  dated  January  15,  1760,  Isaac  Tobeyof  this 
town  states  “That  your  Petitioner  was  a soldier  in  the  Ser- 
vice of  this  Province  the  Summer  Past,  That  while  he  was 
in  the  Service  at  Sarratoga  he  had  his  Gun  Stolen.”  He 
asked  for  an  allowance  for  the  same,  but  the  petition  was 
“ dismissed.” — Ed.] 


[R.  2-49]  \_yonathan  Knowlton^  Soldier^  /ydo.] 

[Jonathan  Knowlton,  son  of  Ebenezer,  was  in  the  service 
under  Capt.  Marston  in  1759,  and  was  taken  sick  at  Albany 
Flats.  His  father  went  after  him, and  took  him  home,  where 
he  died  soon  after.  His  father  presents  bill  of  Dr.  John 
Weeks  for  attendance,  which  was  allowed  to  the  extent  of 
thirty-two  shillings  sterling. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-51]  \_Isaiah  Row^  Soldier^  zydo.] 

[Petition  of  Isaiah  Row,  of  Hampton  Falls,  who  states 
that  he  was  in  the  province  service  in  1760,  returned  home 
in  December,  and  was  soon  after  taken  with  small-pox.  He 
was  attended  by  Dr.  Anthony  Nutter,  and  presents  a bill 
for  all  expenses,  amounting  to  old  tenor,  and  was 

allowed  sterling. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-54]  \_Eleazer  ^uimby^  Soldier^  iy6oI\ 

[Petition  of  Eleazer  Quimby,  who  states  that  his  brother 
Elisha  was  in  the  service  in  1760,  came  home  in  December, 
was  taken  sick  with  small-pox,  and  died.  He  was  allowed 
£t,  II,  2— Ed.] 


[R.  2—57]  \_Ravid  Steward^  Soldier^ 

[David,  a minor  son  of  Jonathan  Steward,  was  at  Crown 
Point  in  1761  ; was  sick  at  Keene  on  the  way  home.  His 
father  went  and  got  him  home,  and  was  allowed  30  shil- 
lings.— Ed.] 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


143 


[4-237]  \_P't'oceedings  in  a Parish  Meetings  ^773 

We  the  subscribers  being  present  at  the  Annual  Parish  meet- 
ing at  Hampton  falls  of  march  i773- — Fifield  Esq*"  was 
Chosen  moderator  after  which  he  the  Moderator  ordered  the 
Voters  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  a Clerk  in  wrighting  and 
after  the  Moderator  had  counted  them  he  declared  Cap’^  Caleb 
Sanborn  was  Chosen  Clerk — A Dispute  Immediately  Arose  and 
a Poll  demanded,  which  was  denied  some  Considerable  space 
of  time,  but  more  than  one  hour  after  the  first  demand,  the 
Moderator  granted  a Poll,  & ordered  them  that  were  for  M^ 
Benj“  Tilton  to  be  Clerk,  to  go  out  at  the  east  end  of  the  Meet- 
ing house,  & them  that  were  for  Cap*  Caleb  Sanborn,  to  go  out 
at  the  west  end,  & ordered  m*‘  David  Batchelder  to  number 
them,  said  Batchelder  said,  the  number  for  Tilton  was  forty 
Three — But  those  that  were  for  Sanborn  kept  there  places,  in 
the  meeting  House,  & would  not  go  out  to  be  numbered  the 
Moderator  & others  then  said  Sanborn  was  Chosen  by  Proxy, 
& that  was  the  end  of  the  Law  The  party  for  Benj^  Tilton  still 
required  a fair  Devision  by  Poll,  & about  Twenty  then  again 
demanded  it — After  some  time  more  was  Spent  in  dispute  the 
Moderator  ordered  all  them  that  were  for  nT  Benj'^  Tilton  to  be 
Clark  to  go  into  the  Womens  seats,  and  them  for  Cap*  Sanborn 
to  go  into  the  mens  seats,  and  again  m^  David  Batchelder  Num- 
ber’d both  parties — After  which  said  Batchelder  said  the  num- 
ber for  Tilton  was  fifty  five  and  the  number  for  sanborn  did  not 
exceed  Thirty  three — and  directly  after  said  Batchelder  had 
reporeted  the  numbers,  the  Moderator  Administered  the  oath 
of  a Clerk  to  Cap*  Caleb  Sanborn — Our  Judgement  by  Appear- 
ance of  the  Numbers  is  that  their  was  more  than  two  for  Tilton 
to  one  for  Samborn — 

John  Lane  Henry  Elkins  Abraham  Sanborn 

Samuel  Tucke  John  Blake  Jesse  Tucke 


[4-238]  \_Summo7ts  to  Witnesses  in  foregohig  matter 3\ 
Province  of  New  Hamp*'® 

To  Major  John  Lane  of  Kensington  Cap*  Henry  Lane  Elkins 
Ensign  Samuel  Tuck  David  Batchelder 

You  are  hereby  required  to  make  your  appearance  before  the 
General  Assembly  on  Wednesday  next  then  to  give  evidence  of 
What  you  know  relative  to  a Petition  preferred  by  sundry  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Hampton  falls  of  & concerning  a dispute  at  their 
last  annual  Town  meeting  with  regard  to  the  Choice  of  a Parish 
Clerk  as  by  said  Petition  more  fully  appears — 


144 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Hereof  fail  not  as  you  will  answer  your  default  under  the 
pains  & penalties  of  the  Law 

Dated  at  Portsmouth  the  thirteenth  day  of  May  A D 1773  — 

Geo  : King  D Sec^ 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss 
May  13*^  1773- 

I have  Summoned  all  the  within  named  Witnesses  to  Appear 
According  to  the  within  Summons — 

Per  Jonathan  Cram 


[4-239]  \_Petitio7i  concerning  aforesaid  Disputed^ 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq''  Captain  General  Gov- 
erner  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majestyes 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  ; To  the  Hon*'^®  his  Majestys 
Councill,  And  to  the  HoiP'®  House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  Assembled  May  1773. 

Humbly  Shew  your  Petitioners  That  at  our  Annual  Parish 
Meeting  in  March  Last,  after  the  Moderator  was  without  contro- 
versy or  Opposition  Chosen  it  was  moved  that  the  Parish  Clerk 
Might  be  Chosen  by  written  votes,  they  were  Accordingly 
Called  for  and  Regurlaly  brought  in  and  no  Exceptions  taken 
or  Complaint  made  that  the  Ballot  was  not  fair,  untill  it  ap- 
pear’d by  counting  the  Votes  that  Cap*  Sanborn  was  Chosen, 
Then  a Poll  being  Demanded  was  granted.  And  the  two  Parties 
who  were  for  or  against  the  Clerk  that  had  been  Declared 
Chosen  being  Seperated  and  no  Exception  taken  that  the  Sep- 
eration  was  not  Sufficient  for  Determining  the  Poll  exactly,  the 
Moderator  desired  One  of  the  Last  years  Selectmen  to  Count 
those  on  One  Side  an*d  who  were  of  his  party,  while  he  Care- 
fully Numbered  the  Other  Party  himself ; at  length  M*"  Batchel- 
der,  who  was  the  person  Desired  by  the  Moderator  to  Count  one 
side  Returned  to  the  Moderator,  and  without  Exspressing  any 
uneasiness  as  to  the  Manner  of  the  Poll  or  doubt  as  to  the  Num- 
ber of  persons  he  was  Employed  to  tell.  Declared  the  Number 
precisely,  and  the  Moderator  Declar’d  the  Number  on  the  Other 
Side,  Whereby  it  appeared  that  Cap*  Sanborn  was  Chosen  Clerk 
by  Poll  as  he  before  had  been  by  Ballot — nor  did  any  Dispute 
Arise  about  the  Regularity  or  Validity  of  the  Poll  that  had 
been  taken  untill  the  Number  were  Declared  on  both  sides  and 
it  Appeared  who  was  Chosen.  Then  a Poll  again  Demanded 
which  was  Judged  needless  and  unreasonable  by  many  and  they 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


145 


declined  paying  any  regard  to  it,  Insisting  that  the  Clark  was 
clearly  Chosen  already  both  b}^  Ballot  and  Poll,  and  the  Mod- 
erator altho’  willing  to  have  gratifyed  even  an  unreasonable  Re- 
quest yet  thought  it  incumbant  upon  him  and  did  proceed  to 
Admit  him  by  Oath  to  his  Office — That  as  the  Selectmen  and 
Other  Parish  Officers  there  is  no  dispute  of  their  being  legally 
Chosen  and  so  no  pretence  for  having  the  Choice  of  them  made 
void,  had  the  adverse  Party  been  a Majority  at  the  Meeting  as 
has  been  pretended  they  might  have  had  an  Oppertunity  of 
Shewing  it  by  After  Pollings  and  Choosing  such  officers  as  they 
pleased.  But  as  we  doubt  not  they  being  Conscious  that  they 
were  the  Minority  withdrew  and  left  the  Majority  peaceably  to 
Choose  those  Officers  they  saw  fit.  That  at  the  Adjournment  of 
the  Meeting,  upon  a Motion  made  by  one  in  Opposition  to  the 
proceedings  of  the  Meeting  it  was  put  to  vote  whether  the  Par- 
ish would  reconsider  their  Votes  respecting  the  Choice  of  Parish 
Officers  and  it  passed  in  the  Negative,  That  the  Selectmen  and 
Other  Officers  have  proceeded  in  their  business  as  bound  by  the 
duty  of  their  Offices  Excepting  wherein  they  have  been  pre- 
vented by  some  persons  unreasonably  keeping  the  books  and 
Other  necessary  papers  belonging  to  the  Parish  out  of  their 
hands — That  it  would  put  the  Parish  to  very  great  Trouble  and 
Expence  to  Call  a new  Meeting,  and  Especially  to  Choose  all 
the  officers  anew  wou’d  throw  many  Afi’airs  into  great  Confu- 
tion  such  as  takeing  the  Invoices  for  Taxation  as  by  law  Di- 
rected, paying  the  School  Marster  and  the  Like  which  we  trust 
will  not  be  done  only  in  Case  of  necessity  and  much  less  where 
there  is  no  pretence  of  Dispute  in  any  transaction  of  the  Meet- 
ing except  in  the  Choice  of  Parish  Clerk  and  in  that  as  we 
humbly  Conceive  very  unreasonable.  And  we  apprehend  that 
the  Major  Part  of  the  Parish  who  were  at  Said  Meeting  are  not 
only  fully  Satisfied  that  the  Meeting  was  legally  and  fairly  Con- 
ducted but  also  well  Contented  with  the  Persons  Chosen  to  the 
Several  Offices,  We  are  led  thus  to  Lay  before  your  Excellency 
and  Honours  an  Account  of  the  Proceeding  at  Said  Meeting  be- 
ing informed  that  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hampton  falls 
have  Petitioned  the  General  Assembly  representing  the  Proceed- 
ings at  said  Meeting  to  be  illegal  and  unfair  and  praying  they 
may  be  Set  aside  A Copy  of  which  Petition  with  the  order  of 
Court  for  a hearing  thereon  has  been  Read  to,  but  Refused  to 
be  left  with  the  Moderator  of  Said  Meeting,  so  not  being  Ac- 
quainted with  any  thing  more  then  the  General  purport  of  the 
Petition  cannot  make  so  purticular  a Reply  As  Otherwise  he 
might.  But  can  only  give  a true  Account  of  the  Proceedings  of 
the  Meetings  by  which  we  trust  it  will  appear  Clear  to  your  Ex- 
cellency and  Honours  that  their  Petition  is  Groundless  and  Cal- 
culated to  keep  up  Divisions  and  Disputes  in  the  Parish — 
12 


146 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Wherefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  Pray  That  said  Petition  may 
be  Dismiss’d,  and  as  in  Duty  Bound  we  Shall  Ever  pray  &c  : 


Richard  Nason 
Hilyard  Shaw 
Philip  Burns 
Abner  Sanborn  J 
David  Norton 
Caleb  Sanborn 
Jacob  Saturlay 
Abner  Sanborn 
William  Lang 
Joseph  Wells 
Isaiah  Lane 
Zeb“  Hilyard 
Walter  Williams 
Theophilus  Sanb 
Chaney  Smith 


Jon®  Fifield  Jur 
Francis  Marshalls 
Jon®  Tilton  Jr 
i"  Gideon  Marshall 
Richard  Mace 
Obadiah  W orth 
Joseph  worth 
Jon®  Stuward 
John  Gove 
moses  Norton 
John  Kenney 
Stephen  Cram 
Stephen  lang 
n Husey  Hoag 
W"®  Blasdell 


Ralph  Butler 
Aaron  Smith 
Nathan  Weare 
NatD'  Hub*^  Dodge 
Pain  Row 
Malachi  Shaw 
Simeon  Hilyard 
Samuel  Robie 
Davaid  Nason 
Joseph  Batchelder 
Joshua  Chase 
David  Pearkins 
Jonathan  Fifield 
Meshech  Weare 


I was  not  present  at  the  Meeting  but  from  all  the  Accounts  I 
have  Since  had  Am  fully  Satisfied  the  foregoing  is  a true  Ac- 
count of  the  transactions  of  the  Meeting  respecting  the  Poll 


[The  last  clause  is  in  the  handwriting  of  M.  Weare. — 
Ed.] 


[4-240]  \_Another  State7nent  relative  to  the  foregoing 

Dispute. 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esquire  Captain  General 
Governer  & Commander  in  Chief  in  & Over  his  Majesties 
Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hon^^*  his  Majesties  Councill  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives for  Said  Province  Convened  in  Generali  Assembly — 

Most  Humbly  Sheweth 

The  Subscribers  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Hampton-falls  in  the  County  of  Rockingham  in  Said  Province — 
That  at  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhab- 
itants of  Said  Parish  held  at  the  New-meetinghouse  in  Said 
Parish  on  the  Ninth  day  of  March  AD  1773 — Jonathan  Fifield 
Esq*"  was  Chosen  Moderator  for  Said  Meeting,  and  Called  upon 
the  Voters  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  a Parish  Clerk,  whereupon 
one  Party  Voted  for  Caleb  sanborn  and  the  Other  Party  (of 
which  your  Petitioners  are)  Voted  for  Benjamin  Tilton  to  be 
Parish  Clerk  for  the  Currant  year,  and  upon  Sorting  the  Votes 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


147 


the  Said  Moderator  Declared  that  Capt  Caleb  Sanborn  was 
chosen,  But  we  (Suspecting  that  Several  who  Voted  for  Said 
Sanborn  were  not  Legal  Voters  and  that  some  had  put  in  more 
than  One  Vote  Each)  to  the  Number  of  Eighteen  Desired  and 
Requested  a Poll,  which  was  for  some  time  Denied  us,  but  at 
length  Granted,  and  David  Batchelder  one  of  the  Select  men 
was  Ordered  to  Number  the  Polls  of  the  Voters,  who  made  Re- 
port to  the  Said  Moderator  that  there  w'as  Fifty  five  Votes  for 
the  Said  Tilton  & Thirty  two  or  thirty  three  for  Said  Sanborn — 
Notwithstanding  which  the  Said  Moderator  then  (to  our  great 
Surprise)  declared  the  Said  Sanborn  to  be  Chosen  Clerk  and 
imediately  Administered  the  Oath  to  him  Accordingly — 

Which  Proceedings  We  humbly  Conceive  to  be  Unfair,  Ille- 
gal and  Designed  by  the  Said  Moderator  to  hurt  and  Injure  the 
Major  Part  of  the  Legal  Voters  in  Said  Parish — 

Wherefore  and  for  many  other  good  Reasons  to  be  ofiered  & 
Proved  to  your  Excellency  & your  Hon''®  upon  a hearing  of  this 
our  Petition  We  Humbly  Pray  your  Excellency  & Honours  to 
take  our  Case  under  your  wise  Consideration  and  Nullify  and 
make  Void  the  Proceedings  of  said  Meeting  and  Order  the 
Selectmen  for  the  last  year  or  some  other  Person  or  Persons  to 
Call  and  warn  another  Meeting  of  said  Freeholders  & Inhabitants 
as  soon  as  may  be  for  the  Choice  of  all  Parish  officers  in  said 
Parish  for  the  Currant  year,  Or  Otherwise  grant  us  Such  Relief 
in  the  Premises  as  to  your  Excellency  and  Honours  Shall  Seem 
Meet. — 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  eyer  Pray  &c 

Hampton  falls  March  29*^  i773* 


Jonathan  Burnam 
Stephn  Swain 
Peter  Tilton 
Stephen  Tilton 
Benjamin  melcher 
James  Prescutt 
Malcher  Ward 
Elisha  Prescutt 
Richerd  moulton 
Caleb  Swain 
John  flood 
Jeremiah  Lane 
Benja  moulton 


Jeremiah  Blake 
Nehemiah  Cram 
William  Prescut 
Michael  Tilton 
Radmund  moulton 
Samuel  Lane  Juffi 
Nathan  Tilton 
Nathan  Tilton 
Samuel  Prescot 
James  Prescut  juner 
William  Swain 
Jediah  Sleeper 
henry  Blake 


Jonathan  Cram 
Benj''^  Tilton 
Samuel  Melcher 
Juner 

Caleb  Tilton 
Ebenezer  Tilton 
Joshua  Blake 
Samuel  Melcha 
Samuel  Lane 
John  Swain 
Benjamin  Sanbun 
William  Davison 


[2-242]  [Z?.  Backelde7'’s  State77ient  concerTiiTig  sa77ie,'\ 

David  Bachelders  Decleration  of  the  managment  of  the  an- 
nual metting  Held  in  Hampton  Falls  on  march  9“^  ^773  being 


148 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


one  of  the  Select  men  to  Call  Said  metting  first  Jonathan  Fifield 
Esq*"  was  Chosen  moderator  one  part  Carried  their  Votes  for 
Cap‘  Sanborn  to  be  Parish  Clerk  in  Number  38  the  other  Voted 
for  nP  Benjamin  Tilton  to  the  Num*'  of  37  But  we  being  Scrup- 
lus  of  Some  of  theirs  being  Legal  Voters  we  Desired  a pole 
which  was  for  Some  time  Denied  we  Nevertheless  Continued  to 
Desire  a fare  opportunity  That  the  matter  mite  be  Farley  Deter- 
mined who  was  Chosen  to  the  office  of  Parish  Clark  & after 
Somthing  more  Then  an  our  the  moderator  Grainted  a pole  & 
ordered  Thouse  That  where  for  Cap*^  Sanborn  to  go  out  at  the 
mens  End  Door  & thouse  who  where  for  m^  Tilton  to  go  out  at 
the  womans  End  Door  & Desired  me  to  Number  thouse  that 
went  out  at  the  womans  End  Door  and  Said  That  he  would 
Number  thouse  that  went  out  at  the  mens  Door  Immediately 
thouse  who  where  for  M*"  Tilton  went  out  at  the  womans  Door  to 
the  Number  of  43  but  Not  one  went  out  at  the  mens  door  For 
Cap  Sanborn  we  where  tould  by  the  moderator  That  Cap*  San- 
born was  Chosen  by  Proxes  & That  That  was  the  End  of  the 
Law  our  party  was  Stil  Very  uneassy  & Stil  Desired  a fare  Dis- 
sission  of  the  Distute  by  a pole  to  the  Number  I thought  of  15 
or  20  at  Length  the  moderator  ordered  that  thouse  which  where 
for  m*'  Tilton  to  Draw  into  the  womans  Seats  & those  that 
where  for  Cap*  Sanborn  to  Draw  into  the  mens  Seats  & Desired 
me  to  Number  them  I accordingly  Numbered  them  as  Near  as 
I Could  81  Found  fifty  five  for  m^  Tilton  & about  thirty  two  or 
thirty  three  for  Cap*  Sanborn  I immediately  tould  the  modera- 
tor the  Number  of  Voters  on  both  Sides  but  then  Directlv”  to 
mv  Great  Supprise  the  moderator  administraed  the  oath  to  Cap* 
Sanborn  to  be  parish  Clark  & then  proseeded  to  Chose  the  Se- 
lect men  This  relation  I am  Ready  to  give  oath  is  matter  of  Fact 
& as  Near  as  I Can  relate  the  management  of  the  meetting 
Hampton  Falls  march  13*^  i773 

David  Bachelder 


the  following  are  the  Names  of  those  that  Disired  a pole 


Cap*  Jonathan  Tilton  Samuel  Lane 
Nathan  tilton  Samuel  Prescut 

Jeremiah  Lane  Swain 

Jonathan  Cram  David  Bachelder 

Henry  blake  Cap*  Jonathan  bur- 

C'^P  Benjamin  moul-  nuin 

ton  william  Davidson 


Elisha  Present 
Jeremiah  blake 
Nehemiah  Cram 
James  prescut  Juner 
Benjamin  Sanborn 
Stephen  Swain 


Voted  that  the  Meeting  mentiond  in  the  Petition  has  been 
Illegally  Conducted  & that  it  thereby  is  Dissolved  & that  a New 
Meeting  be  held  & in  consideration  of  the  Division  in  said  Par- 
ish that  CoP  Jn°  Philips  Esq’' a member  of  this  house  be  a Mod- 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


149 


erator  of  Said  Meeting  he  giving  Notice  of  the  time  & Place 
& design  of  holding  the  same  & that  the  Legal  Charge  the  Per- 
sons who  were  Chosen  Select  Men  have  been  at  in  the  Service 
of  the  Parish  shall  be  defrayd  by  the  Parsh  as  tho  the  Said  Meet- 
ing had  been  Valid  and  that  the  Petition*"®  have  leave  to  bring  in 
Bill  accordingly 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  May  19,  1773.  The  proceedings  of  the 
aforesaid  meeting  were  declared  to  have  been  illegal,  and 
another  meeting  was  ordered  to  be  held,  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  “division  in  said  Parish,  CoP  Jn®  Phillips  Esq” 
was  appointed  to  act  as  moderator. — Ed.] 


[4-243]  \^Electio7i  of  a Magistrate^  ^77^*] 

Colony  of  New  Hampshire 
Hampton  falls  July  i®^  i77^ 

att  a Meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  Said 
Hampton-falls  and  when  meet  Samuel  Weare  was  made  Choice 
of  for  a Justice  of  Peace  for  Said  Parish  by  a Unanimous  Vote 

Samuel  Prescot  Select  Men 

Abner  Sanborn  V of 

Jeremiah  Blake  Jur.  ) Hampton  falls 

To  The  HoiP^®  Philips  White  Esq  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representives 


[4-244]  \^jRetum  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

State  of  Newhampshire  County  of  Rockingham 

Pursuant  to  an  order  from  the  HoiP^®  General  Assembly  of 
Said  State  We  have  taken  an  Exact  number  of  the  Male  polls 
of  Twenty  one  years  old  & upwards  Paying  for  themselves  a 
Poll  tax  within  the  Town  of  Hamptonfalls  and  find  them  to 
amount  to  one  Hundred  & Six  Persons — 106 

James  Prescut  ju®*"  Selectmen 
Caleb  Tilton  ^ of 
Benj**  Pike  ) Hamptonfalls 

Exeter  December  the  5^^  17S3 — 

the  above  Subscribers  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  Re- 
teturne  before  me — 

NatlP  Folsom 

Jus*  Peace — 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


150 


[R.  2-59] 


Account  of  supplies  to  Soldiers  Families  from  the  Town  of 
Hampton  falls  from  January  first  1783  till  July  first  1783 


Jonathan  Millers  Family 
‘ Edward  Wades  Family 
John  Rawlins  Family 
Melcher  Wards  Family 


5 7’  ^ ^ 5 

7^  3.  O, 

4,  10,  6, 
5^  185  7» 


- James  Present  Jn'")  Selectmen 
Caleb  Tilton  v of 
Benj^  Pike  ) Hampton  falls 

Sworn  before  Sam^  Weare 


[4-245]  \^Reco?nmendation  for  Appoint^jient  of  Magistrates^ 

Hampton  Falls  Nov*'  4^^  ^7^9 
Sirs 

We  the  subscribers  beg  leave  to  Recommend  to  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honors,  Col.  Caleb  Tilton  of  this  Place  as  a Person 
well  qualified  for  a Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  beg  he  may  be 
appointed  to  that  Office — 

We  are  Sirs,  with  due  Respect  your  Excellency  and  Honors 
most  Obedient  Servants, — 


His  Excellency  the  President  and  Hon'^^®  Council — 


Caleb  Sanborn 
Isaiah  Lane 
Jeremiah  Lane 
Aaron  Wells 
Simeon  prescutt 
Joseph  Wells 
Natffi*  Dodge 


Abner  Sanborn 
Josiah  Peaver 
Benj^  Pike 
NatlF  Hub*^  Dodge 
Benj®  Tilton 
Meshech  Sanborn 
James  Prescutt 


Jon^  Burnham 
Peter  Tilton 
James  Prescut  ju*’’ 
Michael  Tilton 
George  Fifield 


[4-246]  \_Relative  to  workuig  Highway  Taxes  in  Hampton 
Falls  and  Seabrook  Parishes^  /yp/.] 

To  the  Hon'®  President  Senators  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Assembled. 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  chosen  as  a Committee  in 


HAMPTON  FALLS. 


I5I 

behalf  of  the  Parish  of  Hampton  falls  at  a Legal  Meeting  of  the 
freeholders  and  Inhabitants  Thereof  in  August  last  passed  for 
the  purpose  of  making  application  to  the  Honorable  General 
Court,  humbly  Sheweth — 

That  some  Years  ago,  upon  the  settlement  of  the  Rev^  M*' 
Wingate  as  the  Minister  of  this  Parish, — Seabrook  was  taken 
off  from  Hampton-falls  and  made  a distinct  Parish  on  account 
of  their  dissent  from  said  settlement ; and  a line  of  Division 
was  Drawn  betwixt  the  said  Parishes  by  Order  of  General 
Court. 

That  notwithstanding  the  said  line  of  Division  Liberty  was 
given  by  the  Court  to  any  Person  on  either  side  of  said  Line  to 
Poll  off  with  their  Estates  into  the  other  Parish  within  Two 
Months  after  the  said  Division  was  made  the  plain  Design  of 
which  was  that  they  might  have  their  choice  as  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  Privileges  of  religious  worship  in  one  Parish  or  the 
Other — 

That  in  consequence  of  this  Liberty  some  Persons  within  the 
Line  of  Seabrook  Polled  into  Hampton  falls  ; and  likewise  sun- 
dry Persons  within  the  line  of  Hampton-falls  Polled  into  Sea- 
brook ; by  which  means  much  difficulty  hath  been  occasioned 
as  to  doing  their  part  in  repairing  highways  : 

Whereas  it  would  be  more  convenient  for  both  Parishes  if 
they  who  have  Polled  ; might  be  Obliged  to  do  their  part  of 
Labour  on  the  Road  within  the  Lines  of  the  Parishes  in  which 
they  belonge  ; why  this  was  not  mentioned  in  the  Charter  was 
entirely  thro’  forgetfulness  : 

Therefore  it  is  our  Humble  Petition  that  Your  Honours  in 
your  wisdom  would  Pass  an  Act  that  all  those  Inhabitants  who 
Lives  within  the  Bounds  of  s*^  Hampton  falls  who  have  Polled 
into  Seabrook  be  caused  to  work  or  pay  their  proportion  of 
Taxes  According  to  their  Polls  and  Estates  on  Roads  or  High- 
ways within  the  Bounds  of  s*^  Hampton  falls  ; Also  all  those 
Inhabitants  who  Live  within  the  Bounds  of  Seabrook  who  have 
Polled  into  Hampton  falls  be  caused  to  work  or  pay  their  pro- 
portion of  Taxes  According  to  their  Polls  and  Estates,  on  Roads 
or  highways  within  the  Bounds  of  Seabrook, — As  in  Duty 
Bound  shall  Ever  Pray. 

Dated  at  Hampton  falls  November  26  AD  1791 

Abner  Sanborn  \ 

David  Bachelder  > Committee 
George  Fifield  j 


[Petition  granted  December  6,  1792. — Ed.] 


152 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


HANCOCK. 

This  town  was  incorporated  November  5,  1779,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Gov.  John  Hancock  of  Massachusetts, 
who  was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town.  The 
territory  comprised  in  the  township  was  a portion  of  Society 
Land,  so  called,  belonging  to  the  Masonian  Proprietors, 
some  of  which  had  been  settled  by  John  Grimes  in  1765, 
and,  within  four  or  five  years  from  that  time,  by  Moses  Mor- 
rison, William  Lakin,  and  others. 

January  16,  1794,  the  farm  of  Joseph  Putnam,  of  Society 
Land,  was  annexed  to  this  town. 

January  i,  1849,  the  farm  of  John  Flint,  of  Antrim,  was 
annexed  to  Hancock. 


[5-23]  [ Consent  of  hihabitants  of  the  East  Side  to  the 
Incorpo7'ation  of  Hancock^  ^779^ 

State  of  New  hampshire  And  County  of  hillsborough 

These  may  Sartfy  the  honorable  Council  And  house  of  Rep- 
resentatives for  said  state  That  we  whose  names  are  underriten 
and  Sined  who  Live  in  the  Society  Land  So  Called  on  the 
East  Side  of  Contoocook  River  have  no  obctions  to  make 
against  the  in  habintients  on  the  weast  Side  of  S*^  River  in  the 
Society  afore  S*^  to  be  incorporated  Into  Town  and  Likewise  to 
be  Disanexed  F'rom  those  on  the  west — 

Society  Land  April  2o‘^  ^779 

Robert  Rogers  James  gragg  Isaac  Butterfield 

Charles  Lawrance  John  gragg  Samuel  Butterfield 

Alexander  parker  Samuel  Dickey 


[5-24]  S^Petition  for  an  htcorporation  of  the  Town^  -^77P*J 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  New  hampshier  in  general  asembly  Conveen'^  at 
Exeter  in  the  mounth  of  June  1779 — 

the  Humble  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  that 
part  of  the  Society  So  Called  Laying  on  the  west  Side  of  Con- 
taucook  River  and  South  of  Antrim  North  of  petterBorough  & 
Dublin  & East  of  Packersfield — 


HANCOCK. 


153 


Humbly  Sheweth  that  by  Reason  of  the  Large  flats  on  Each 
Side  of  s^  Contaucook  River  it  will  Ever  be  Impractable  to 
Build  any  Bridge  and  therefore  there  Can  be  no  Communica- 
tion with  those  that  inhabite  on  the  East  Side  of  Said  River  all 
which  will  Render  it  inconvenient  to  be  incorporated  into  one 
Body  and  them  Inhabiting  on  the  East  Side  of  S^  River  have 
Signed  their  willingness  to  be  Disanexed  from  those  on  the 
West— 

furthermore  your  petitioners  would  Inform  your  Hounours 
that  the  tract  of  land  on  which  w^e  Inhabit  from  the  River  west 
to  packerfeild  East  Line  is  Six  mills  and  one  Half  and  from 
Antrim  South  Line  to  Pettersbrough  North  Line  is  five  mills 
and  near  one  Half  and  the  Land  is  so  good  that  it  will  make  a 
very  Comodious  town  or  Parish  and  your  petitioners  pray  your 
Honours  that  they  may  be  Incorporated  and  invested  with  all 
town  priviladges  as  other  Incorporated  towns — your  Honours 
Compliance  with  the  above  petition  Will  greatly  oblidge  your 
petitioners  and  they  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray 


Society  June  the 

Robert  Duncan 
Moses  M orison 
Jonathan  Bennett 
Thomas  Miller 
John  Moor 
John  Miller 
Thomas  English 
Stephen  Bennett 
william  williams 


3"  1779 

John  Cumings 
Joseph  Simonds 
Timothy  moors 
Reuben  Cumings 
Joel  Russell 
John  Cumings  Junei 
Oliver  Lawrance 
James  Davis 
\ym  Williams  J*" 


Asa  Adams 
Nathan  Meriam 
Adam  Patterson 
Arther  grayham 
David  Ames 
William  Lakin 
John  Foster 


[In  answer  to  the  foregoing  the  town  was  incorporated 
November  5,  1779. — Ed.] 


[5-25]  \^Petition  relative  to  Paxes ^ iyyg.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  The  Hon'’'®  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  Newhampshire  afores''  in  General  Assembly 
Covened — 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  and  Proprietors  of  the  Lands 
of  the  place  called  and  Know'ii  by  the  Name  of  y®  Society  Land 
in  the  County  of  Hillsb®  in  the  State  of  New  hampshire  afores^ 
humbly  sheweth — 

That  y®  said  Place  called  y®  Society  Land  is  Taxed  for  y* 


154 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Current  Year  for  a Larger  Sum  than  other  places  and  Towns 
in  Proportion,  in  the  same  State,  being  One  pound  five  shillings 
11^  to  Every  Thousand  pound — and  we  further  Shew  that  in 
fact  we  the  said  Inhabitants  are  very  poor  and  Low  in  the 
world,  our  Lands  are  a great  Part  of  them  Low  and  Sunken, 
we  have  many  Large  ponds  and  some  very  mountainous  and 
Rocky  Land — which  are  not  nor  Ever  Can  be  improved — The 
Road  thro  y®  Township  could  not  be  made  Good  and  passable 
for  Teams,  in  One  year,  for  y®  whole  Sum  y®  Township  is 
worth,  it  being  so  Exceeding  Rocky  mountainous  and  Sunken — 

We  declare  our  Selves  Good  and  faithfull  Subjects  to  the  state 
afores*^  and  Truely  willing  to  pay  our  full  Proportion  of  publick 
Taxes  ; but  at  the  same  time  upon  considering  Every  Circum- 
stance, we  are  assured  and  do  plainly  See  that  our  Valuation 
was  given  in  three  Times  too  Large,  in  Proportion  to  other 
Towns,  Therefor  We  humbly  pray  for  an  abatement  in  our 
Tax  in  such  proportion  as  your  HoiY  in  your  Wisdom  shall  see 
fit,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray — 

Society  Land  Septemb*'  7*^  i779 

Signers  Neames 


Jacob  Ames 
Robert  Duncan 
John  Moor 
Williams  Clarck 
Asa  Adams 
Adam  patterson 
Edmund  Davis 
David  Hubbard 
Thomas  Barrett 


David  Ames 
Jonathen  Bennett 
John  Miller 
Jesse  Cristey 
Stephen  Bennett 
Williem  Lakin 
JoiT  Davis 
Amos  Barrett 
Joseph  Hayward 


Moses  Morison 
Thomas  Miller 
Robert  Wyllie 
Benj™  Wilson 
William  Williams 
James  Davis 
Charles  Barrett 
Jonas  Wheeler 
John  Preston 


[5—25)4]  \_Report  of  Com?riittee  to  locate  a Meeting- House^ 

i7S5-'\ 

State  of  new  Hamp’’®  ] Hancock  may  y®  3*^  ^7^5 
Hillsborough  county  j 

Your  committee  appointed  to  fix  on  the  place  for  bulding  a 
Metting  house  in  said  Hancock  having  meet  and  viewed  the 
Ground  & heard  the  pleas,  beg  leave  to  Report — that  the  place 
Agreed  upon  for  the  aforesaid  porposs  is  on  the  plain  at  the 
South  End  of  noraway  Pond  so  called  there  marked  out  and 
shown  to  the  Inhabitants  which  is  submitted 

John  Duncan 
Levi  Spaulding 
Jo  : Young 


HANCOCK. 


155 


\2—2G^\_Petitio77  for  Special  Tax  to  Build  a Meeting- House 


State  of  New  Hamp^®  ) to  the  Hon^  the  sennat  and  House  of 
Hillsborough  ss  j Representatives  in  Gen^  Court  at  Con- 

cord convened 


The  Memorial  of  us  Nonresident  Owners  of  lands  in  Han- 
cock shews  that  whereas  a Petition  hath  been  perfered  Request- 
ing a tax  to  be  Laid  on  all  the  Lands  in  s'^  Hancock  for  the 
purposs  ofbulding  a house  for  publick  worship  & it  appeare- 
ing  to  be  for  our  intrest  & tbe  publick  Good  we  also  pray  that 
the  subject  matter  prayed  for  in  s'^  petition  may  be  Granted  and 
your  Memorialests  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  ever  pray  &c — 


James  Davis 
Amos  Barrett 
Elezer  Cumings 
James  Hosley 


JoiP  Davis 
Ben"  Knight 
Charles  Barrett 
Noah  Wheeler 


John  Preston 
Moody  Morss 
Elijah  Hills 


[5-27]  S^Petition  for  Appoint?ne7it  of  a Co7n?nittee  to  locate 

a Aleethig- House ^ 

State  of  new  Hamp’' 

To  His  Exalancy  the  Presidant  the  Honerable  the  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives  in  general  Assembly  at  Concord 
Convened — 


A Petition  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hancock  humbly 
shews  that  we  have  been  at  pains  and  cost  to  find  the  Center  of 
our  town  in  Order  to  buld  a House  for  Publick  Worship  : but 
Unfortunatly  it  falls  in  a Bogg  where  it  is  not  possable  to  buld : 
and  altho  we  have  Meetings  Called  Reppitedly  for  that  pourpos  : 
yet  we  Cannot  all  Agree  where  to  move  it  to  find  the  Ground 
that  will  be  most  Suttable  and  Convenient : Wherefor  we  pray 
that  your  Honors  would  appoint  a Committy  of  three  Persons 
out  of  towns  ajacent  that  is  not  Intrested  for  the  porpos  afore- 
said as  we  have  agreed  to  abide  the  Judgement  of  s*^  Comitty 
and  pay  the  Cost : and  your  Petitionars  as  in  Duty  bound  will 
ever  pray 

Hancock  Jen^  y®  2o‘^  ^7^5 


James  Duncan 
Seth  Hadley 


a Commit- 
y ty  for 
) Hancock 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  February  10,  1785,  a committee  was 
appointed,  consisting  of  John  Duncan,  Esq.,  Capt.  Levi 
Spaulding,  and  Dr.  John  Young.  For  report,  see  ante. — 
Ed.] 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


156 

[5—28]  \^Petitio7i  fo7'  Atithority  to  levy  a Tax  to  Build  a 

Meet i 71  g-  Ho  tise,  i ySy . ] 

State  of  New  Hamp’’®  to  the  Honerable  the  Sennet  & House 
Hillsborough  County  S of  Representatives  in  General  Court 

Convened — 

A Petition  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hancock  Humbly 
Shews  : that  s^  Hancock  was  not  Granted  to  any  number  of 
persons  as  other  towns  in  this  State  have  Been  nor  aney  Lands 
Given  for  aney  publick  L se  but  a Great  part  of  the  land  in  s*^ 
town  is  owned  by  non-Residants  the  most  of  whome  lives  in  the 
massachusetts  who  do  not  incline  to  Sell  or  Settle  their  lands : 
so  long  as  they  find  them  advance! ng  by  our  labour  : whiles!  all 
the  burthing  of  Roads  &c  : layeth  heavey  on  the  oppressed 
inhabitants  : & Whereas  other  towns  in  the  same  sittuation  have 
Upon  applycation  been  Relived  : which  incorigeth  us  to  hope 
that  we  will  not  be  worse  Used  than  other  subjects  wherefor 
we  pray  that  your  honors  would  Grant  us  a small  tax  on  all  the 
Land  in  s^  Hancock  for  the  sole  purpose  of  bulding  a house  for 
Publick  Worship  : and  vour  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  will 
Ever  Pray 

Hancock  may  y®  16^^  17S5 

Seth  Hadley  I ^ 

T-  T-  • iC  r Comittee 
Lnes  Knight  j 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  by  an  act  passed 
November  4,  1785. — Ed.] 


[5-29]  ]^Relative  to  bziildiTtg  a Meetmg- House ^ ^7^7 
State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Great  and  General  Court  of  said  State  to  be  conven’d  on 
the  first  Wensday  of  June  next. — 

The  Select  men  of  the  Town  of  Hancock  in  behalf  of  s^ 
Town  Humbly  Shews. — that  they  received  an  Act  passed  by 
said  Court  upon  the  2^  of  November,  1785,  Impowring  the 
Select  Men  of  Hancock  to  Assess  the  Lands  in  said  Hancock 
for  the  purpose  of  Building  a Meeting  house  in  s*^  Town  at  one 
penny  an  Acre  for  the  term  of  three  years. — But  in  s*^  Act  there 
appears  liberty  for  the  whole  thereof  to  be  paid  in  Certificates 
— which  liberty  must  of  Necessaty  prevent  our  Building  at 
present  for  we  Cannot  purchase  one  article  for  Building  with 
them  so  as  to  answer  our  purpose — we  therefore  pray  the  Hon- 
orable Court  to  take  our  Case  into  there  Consideration  and 


HANCOCK. 


157 


reverse  that  Clause  of  said  Act  which  has  respect  to  said  Tax 
being  paid  in  Certificates,  and  Order  it  to  be  paid  in  hard 
Money  Grain  and  Lumber,  or  some  other  way,  to  iVnswer  our 
purpose,  as  they  in  their  wisdom  shall  see  meet,  and  your 
Petitioners  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
Hanocock  April  26^^  1787 

Edmond  Davis  selectmen 
Samuel  Gates  > of 
Oliver  Lawrence  ) Hancock 

HoiP'®  the  General  Court — 


[The  petition  was  dismissed. — Ed.] 


[5-30]  \_Petition  of  Joseph  Putna?7i  to  be  annexed  to  Han- 
cock, 1793 

to  the  Legeslature  of  the  State  of  New  hamp’'®  in  general  Court 
Convened  at  Concord  on  the  first  wensday  of  June  1793 

the  petition  of  Joseph  Putnam  of  the  Society  land  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough  humbly  shews  that  your  petitionar 
lives  Remote  from  any  neighbour  in  Said  Society  and  a great 
part  of  his  land  lays  in  Hancock  and  he  attends  publick  wor- 
ship there  and  owns  a pue  in  the  Meeting  house  and  cannot 
conveniently  be  joyned  to  any  other  Society  and  now  pays  taxes 
for  a great  part  of  his  Intrest  there — Wherefore  your  petitioner 
prays  your  honners  that  he  with  the  whole  of  his  Intrest  be  dis- 
anexed  from  the  Said  Society  where  they  injoy  no  previlages 
and  be  anexed  to  the  town  of  Hancock  and  as  in  dutty  will 
ever  pray 

Joseph  Putnam 


[5-29)4]  [ Consent  of  the  Pown  to  the  fo7' ego ing.~\ 

At  a Townmeeting  held  in  Hancock  upon  the  13*^  of  may 
1793 — James  Duncan  Moderator — Voted  to  Receive  W"'  Joseph 
Putnam  of  Society  so  called  as  an  inhabitant  of  said  Hancock 
and  approve  of  his  being  annexed  thereto  provided  the  Gen- 
eral Court  shall  Concur  therewith. 

Coppy  attest 

James  Hosley  Town  Clerk. 

[Joseph  Putnam’s  farm  was  annexed  to  the  town  January 

16,  1794. — Ed.] 


158 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-31]  \_Relative  to  Militia  Regiments^ 


To  His  Execellency  the  Presedent  and  the  the  Senate  & 

Hon^^®  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire In  General  Court  Assembled  at  Concord  in  said  State 

Humblety  Sheweth  the  Selectmen  of  Hancock  in  the  County 
of  Hillsborough — In  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  s^  Town — 
That  at  the  last  session  of  the  Gen^  Court  a vote  past  bv  which 
the  I2‘^  Rig‘  of  melitia  was  Divided  and  the  west  part  CalP 
N°  12  and  the  east  part  CalP  N®  23. 

The  Real  situation  & all  the  Circumstances  of  the  towns  that 
Now  Compose  the  East  Rigement  we  suppose  was  not  then 
laid  before  the  Hon^^®  Court  for  we  believe  if  they  had  it  would 
not  have  passed — wherefore  we  beg  leave  to  say  That  the  East 
Rig‘  (viz)  New  Ipswich  mason  Wilton  Temple  Peterbor- 
ough, Lyndsborough  societ  Hancock  & Peterboroughslip  Was 

L s d 

all  formerly  of  the  fifth  Regiment — That  they  pay  49-15-10  to 
every  Tiooo  of  the  State  Taxes  as  will  appear  by  the  last  pro- 
portion Act — And  that  the  west  or  i2‘^  as  by  s*^  vote  (viz) 

Ringe  Fitzwilliam  Jaftery  Marlborough  Dublin  & Packersfield 
s 

pays  but  <£32-13  which  is  not  two  thirds  so  much  or  in  other 

s d 

words  we  pay  £17-2-10  more  to  every  £1000  than  they  which 
is  more  then  half  they  pay — That  we  are  Nine  towns  to  their 
six — That  more  than  1100  poles  was  return’d  in  the  last  Inven- 
tory in  y®  Nine  & but  little  more  than  600  in  the  west  Rig‘ 
And  That  the  most  of  the  Towns  in  the  East  Reg*  was  settled 
(viz),  New  Ipswich  Wilton  mason  Peterborough  & lyndsbor- 
ough a Number  of  years  before  there  was  one  Inhabitant  in  the 
six  towms  which  Now  takes  away  our  Number — And  that  there 
is  now  four  Field  officers  within  the  this  Reg*  (to  wfit)  Heald 
Willson  Abbot  & Clerk  (which  Cannot  by  the  melitia  Rules, 
which  is  only  Honour)  renew  their  Commitions  in  the  23*^ 
regim* — That  in  every  point  of  vie\v  we  Consider  ourselves 
agreaved  bv  said  vote — Wherefore  We  Humbly  pray  your  Ex- 
celency  & Honours  that  the  East  Regiment  (to  wit)  New  Ips- 
wich &c  which  is  now  call’d  the  23**  regiment  may  be  restored 
to  their  former  Number  Or  that  The  Devision  of  s^  12**^  Regi- 
ment may  be  made  nul  & void  and  be  put  to  Gether  as  but  one 
regiment  & as  In  Duty  bound  shall  pray 

Jan"y  2f^  17S5 


David  Hubbard 
Edmond  Davis 
Aloses  Dennis 


^ Selectmen  of 
I Hancock  in 
^ behalf  of 
the  Town 


HANOVER. 


159 


HANOVER. 

The  township  was  granted  July  4,  1761,  to  Edmond  Free- 
man and  others. 

Col.  Edmond  Freeman,  who  came  from  Mansfield,  Con- 
necticut, made  a settlement  in  town  in  May,  1765.  The 
following  year  Benj.  Davis  and  Benj.  Rice,  from  the  same 
place,  made  settlements,  and  others  came  soon  after  from 
Coventry,  Conn. 

In  1770  there  were  about  twenty  families  in  town,  living 
in  log-houses.  In  September  of  that  year  Rev.  Eleazer 
Wheelock,  of  Lebanon,  Conn.,  settled  in  the  town,  and 
established  Dartmouth  college,  a charter  having  been  ob- 
tained from  Governor  Wentworth,  dated  December  13,  1769, 
for  that  purpose. 

An  additional  grant  was  made  to  the  proprietors  of  the 
township  January  9,  1775,  of  some  2,000  acres  on  the  north 
side  of  the  town,  in  consequence  of  some  misunderstanding 
concerning  the  bounds  of  the  original  grant. 

About  300  acres  of  land  in  the  south-west  corner  of  the 
town  was  granted  to  Dartmouth  college  December  19, 1771, 
and  200  acres  adjoining  to  Rev.  Dr.  Eleazer  Wheelock, 
president  of  the  college. 


[5-32]  [ Vote  of  the  Town  7'elative  to  its  Boundaries^  7772.] 

At  a Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  HaiP  Sep*  23**  1772  Voted 
that  wheras  it  now  appears  to  this  Propriety  uncertain  whither 
they  have  a Legal  Title  to  all  the  Land  Contained  within  y® 
reputed  Boundaries  of  s'*  Hanover,  we  therfore  think  it  Expedi- 
ent to  have  the  Matter  relative  thereto  truly  represented  to  his 
Excellency  our  Gov'ernor  And  to  appoint  Jon**^  Freeman  as  an 
agent  for  that  purpose  to  act  thereon  and  take  such  Methods  for 
secure! ng  the  Charter  of  all  y®  Land  within  s'*  Boundaries  (if 
needful)  as  he  shall  think  proper 

A True  Coppy  of  Record 

Jon**^  Freeman  Clerk 


[5-33]  \^Petitio7i  for  an  additional  Grants  7777.] 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap*  General  Gov- 
ernor & Commander  in  chief  in  and  over  His  IMajesty’s  prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  In 
Council 


i6o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


The  petition  of  Jonathan  Freeman  of  Hanover  in  the  County 
of  Grafton  and  province  afores*^  as  Agent  for  the  propriety  of 
said  Hanover,  humbly  sheweth — That  whereas  by  the  original 
Survey  of  s'^  Hanover  the  Boundaries  on  Connecticut  River 
were  about  Two  hundred  & twenty  rods  further  distant  from 
each  other  than  the  length  of  Lines  as  mentioned  in  said  Char- 
ter, and  the  proprietors  being  ignorant  of  the  same,  run  each  of 
said  lines  from  the  river  Connecticut  S.  64°  E.  agreeable  to  the 
courses  given  in  s*^  Charter,  and  have  lotted  out  and  settled  on 
said  lands  to  each  line,  and  have  given  considerable  Tracts 
adjoining  to  each  of  said  lines  for  the  use  of  Dartmouth  College, 
and  being  now  convinced  that  said  lines  contain  about  Twenty 
seven  Hundred  Acres  more  than  the  Contents  of  s*^  Charter, 
which  if  taken  from  the  Fropriet®  of  Hanover  will  throw  the 
Town  into  great  confusion  by  breaking  up  Divisions,  remove- 
ing  Settlers,  &c.  We  therefore  humbly  pray  that  Your  Exc^  and 
Honors  would  grant  to  us  the  land  contained  with  the  above 
said  Lines  & not  granted  in  the  former  Charter  And  we  beg 
leave  to  assure  your  Exc^  and  Honors  that  (as  we  have  already 
One  Hundred  & ten  Male  InhaD®  upwards  of  sixteen  years  of 
Age)  so  we  will  further  pursue  & encourage  the  settlement  of 
s*^  Town. 

And  your  peP  as  in  duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray 


Dated  Wolf  boro’  Oct® 


Copy  Exam‘S 


JoiP  Freeman  Agent 
for  Hanover  propriety. 

Theodore  Atkinson  Sec*^ 


Province  of  New  Hampshire 

In  Council  Feb^  i®*  i773 

The  within  petition  having  been  Read — Order’d  thereupon — 
That  the  Clerk  of  the  propriety  of  Lime,  or  the  Select  Men  (if 
any  there  be)  be  served  with  a Copy  of  the  petition  & order  of 
Council  thereon  at  the  cost  of  the  peP  that  they  may  be  heard 
thereon  on  Tuesday  the  23*^  of  March  next  to  shew  cause  why 
the  prayer  of  s*^  petition  may  not  be  granted. 

Copy 

Theodore  Atkinson  Sec^ 


Province  of  New  Hampshire 

Lime  22*^  of  Feb  7 ^773 

Then  read  the  foregoing  petition  and  Order  of  Council  there- 
on within  the  Hearing  of  the  selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Lime, 


HANOVER. 


l6l 


and  likewise  left  a True  Coppy  of  petition  and  Doings  of  the 
Council  thereon,  with  the  Clerk  of  Lime  Propriety 

Peters  Grant 
Indifferent  person 

[5-35  is  a plan  showing  the  line  in  question.  The  grant 
was  made  January  9,  1775. — Ed.] 


[5-36]  \^yoJi7t  Crane  for  Leave  to  establish  a Hospital., 

1773 

Province  of  ) To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap- 
New  Hamp*'®  j tain  General  Governor  & Commander  in  Chief 
in  and  over  his  Majesty’s  Province  afores*^  and 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  in  Council — 

The  Humble  Petition  of  John  Crane  of  Hanover  in  the 
County  of  Grafton  in  the  Province  aforesaid  Physician  unto 
your  Excellency  and  Honours  shews — 

That  you  Petitioner  has  a great  Inclination  of  erecting  an 
Hospital  for  Enoculation  for  the  small  Pox  in  some  remote  Part 
of  said  Town  of  Hanover  under  such  Regulations  as  your  Ex- 
cellency & Honours  may  subject  the  Institution.  Your  Peti- 
tioner humbly  concieves  that  there  are  many  advantages  that 
may  result  to  the  Public  from  his  Intentions  if  permitted  by  y*^ 
ExcelP  & HoiP  especially  as  that  Part  of  the  Country  will  short- 
ly be  exposed  to  travellers  from  the  Province  of  Canada  and 
your  Petitioner  has  in  thought  making  the  Hospital  of  publick 
Utility  which  he  begs  leave  to  lay  before  y^  Excellency  & Hon- 
ours in  Person,  if  he  may  be  indulged  with  an  Audience  and 
f Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
Portsmouth  May  28  1773 

John  Crane 


[5—37]  l^fonatkan  Free^nan  7'elative  to  Ha7iover  addition.^ 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap*  General  Gov- 
ernor and  Commander  in  chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty’s  of 
New  Hampshire  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  in  Council 

The  Petition  of  Jonathan  Freeman  of  Hanover  in  the  County 
of  Grafton  and  Province  afores*^  Humbly  sheweth  That  your 
Petitioner  being  appointed  as  an  Agent  for  the  Proprietors  of  s*^ 
Hanover  (on  the  23^  of  Sepff  1772)  to  procure  a Charter  of  a 
piece  of  Land  lying  on  the  Northerly  part  of  said  Hanover  to 
be  confirmed  to  said  Town  and  your  Petitioner  did  on  the  8*^^ 

13 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


162 

of  Ocf  1772  Petition  your  Excellency  and  Honours  for  a grant 
of  the  aforesaid  Land  which  Petition  being  read  in  Council 
Feb^  i®‘  1773  it  was  ordered  that  the  Clerk  of  the  Propriety  of 
Lime  or  select  Men  of  s*^  Town  should  be  served  with  a Coppy 
of  the  said  Petition  and  Order  of  Council  thereon,  and  that  the 
said  Select  Men  and  Proprietors  were  accordingly  served  with 
a Coppy  of  the  said  Petition  on  the  22*^  of  Feb-^  ^773’  which 
may  appear  by  the  records  and  files  of  council  and  likewise  by 
order  of  the  Suiweyor  General  a suiwey  of  the  said  Land  has 
been  made  and  return’d  into  his  Office,  all  which  has  been  at- 
tended with  considerable  Expense  to  your  Petitioner  and  as  the 
Proprietors  of  Lime  have  not  appeared  to  shew  cause  why  the 
prayer  of  the  said  petition  should  not  be  granted  and  the  Pro- 
prietors of  said  Hanover  having  in  Consequence  of  the  encour- 
agement hereby  given  us,  of  a grant  of  said  Land  proceeded  in 
the  cultivation  and  Settlement  of  the  same.  We  therefore  Hum- 
bly pray  that  your  Excellency  and  Honours  would  be  pleased 
to  complete  the  grant  agreeable  to  the  prayer  of  the  aforesaid 
Petition  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
Dated  Portsmouth  July  23*^  ^774 

Jonathan  Freeman 
agent  for  Hanover  prop^ 


[4-38]  \_Preceft  for  the  Election  of  a Representative^  ^775 

In  Congress  at  Exeter  December  26^^  ^775?  whereas  a writ 
issued  from  the  late  Congress  of  this  Colony  directed  to  the 
Selectmen  of  Hanover  requiring  them  to  notify  the  legal  In- 
habitants paying  Taxes  in  Hanover,  Lebanon,  Relhan  [Enfield], 
Canaan,  Cardigan,  [Orange]  & Grafton  to  meet  at  said  Hanover 
and  choose  one  Person  to  Represent  them  in  General  Congress 
to  be  held  at  Exeter  the  Twenty  first  day  of  December  then 
next  which  Writ  has  been  Returned  by  the  Selectmen  of  said 
Hanover,  and  no  return  thereon  Certifying  the  choice  or  ap- 
pointment of  any  Person  as  directed.  Therefore  to  the  end 
that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  Town  may  not  be  unrep- 
resented in  the  Present  Congress.  Resolved  that  following- 
Writ  Issue. 

Colony  of  New  Hampshire. 

THE  CONGRESS  OF  SAID  COLONY 

To  THE  Select-men  of  Hanover — in  said  Colony, 
Greeting.  You  are  hereby  required  to  notify  the  legal  Inhab- 
itants paying  Taxes  in  the  Towns  of  Hanover,  Lebanon,  Rel- 
han, Canaan,  Cardigan  & Grafton  (giving  them  fifteen  Days 
Notice)  to  meet  at  some  convenient  Place  in  your  Town,  to 


HANOVER. 


163 

elect  one  Person  (having  a real  Estate  of  the  Value  of  Two 
Hundred  Pounds  Lawful  Money  in  this  Colony)  to  represent 
them  in  General  Congress  now  setting  at  Exeter — And  to  im- 
power  such  Representative  for  the  Term  of  one  Year  from  the 
21®*  of  December  cuP  to  transact  such  Business  and  pursue 
such  measures  as  they  may  judge  necessary  for  the  public  Good. 

And  in  Case  there  should  be  a Recommendation  from  the 
Continental  Congress  that  this  Colony  assume  Government  in 
any  particular  Form,  which  will  require  a House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, that  they  resolve  themselves  into  such  a House  as 
the  said  Continental  Congress  shall  recommend,  and  it  is  re- 
solved that  no  Person  be  allowed  a Seat  in  Congress,  who  shall 
by  himself,  or  any  Person  for  him,  before  said  Choice,  treat 
with  Liquor,  &c.  any  Electors,  with  an  apparent  View  of  gain- 
ing their  Votes,  or  afterwards  on  that  Account. 

And  the  Person  who  shall  be  elected.  You  are  to  notify,  that 
he  attend  at  Exeter  abovementioned.  And  make  Return  here- 
of with  your  Doings  thereon. 

By  order  of  Congress, 

MATTHEW  THORNTON,  PRESIDENT. 

Exeter  Nov.  the  14th  i775* 

E.  THOMPSON,  Secretary. 

[No  return  was  made  on  the  back  of  the  foregoing,  as  no 
representative  was  chosen.  A similar  precept,  dated  Sept. 
30,  1776,  was  sent  to  the  town,  which  was  returned  with  the 
following  endorsement  on  the  back  : — Ed.] 

[s-39] 

Hanover  Nov’’  27**’  1776 — 

Pursuant  to  the  within  Precept  We  notified  the  Inhabitants 
paying  Taxes  in  the  Towns  of  Hanover  Canaan  and  Cardigan 
to  meet  at  the  meeting  house  in  said  Hanover  this  day  for  the 
purposes  within  mentioned — Who  being  met  passed  the  follow- 
ing Votes.  Viz. 

1.  Voted  unanimously  That  the  Address  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  and  other  Towns,  to  the  People  of  the  several  Towns 
thro’  this  Colony,  published  by  their  Committees  in  July  last, 
is  truely  expressive  of  our  Sentiments  respecting  Representa- 
tion and  the  unconstitutional  Formation  and  proceedures  of  the 
present  Assembly  of  this  State — 

2.  Voted  unanimously  that  we  will  not  chuse  a Representa- 
tive as  directed  in  the  Precept  issued  by  the  Assembly  of  this 
State  for  the  following  Reasons  Viz. 

I.  Because  no  plan  of  Representation  is  as  yet  formed  in  this 


164 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


State  consistant  with  the  Liberties  of  a free  people  ; in  that  the 
people  have  not  universally  had  a full  Representation  in  any 
Assembly  since  this  State  was  declared  independent  of  the 
Crown  of  Great  Britain,  by  which  declaration  we  conceive  that 
the  powers  of  Government  reverted  to  the  people  at  large  and 
of  course  annihillated  the  political  Existence  of  the  Assembly 
which  then  was  ; notwithstanding  which  they  have  since  pre- 
sumed to  act  in  the  name  of  the  people,  and  in  their  precept 
undertaken  to  prescribe  & limit  the  mode  of  proceedure  in  our 
Choice  of  a Representative  which  it  does  not  appear  that  they 
are  to  be  chosen  for  the  purpose  of  recognizing  the  rights  of 
the  people  and  assuming  such  Government  as  shall  be  agreeable 
to  them,  tho’  nothing  of  that  nature  has  at  any  time  been  done 
in  this  State  ; except  a Plan  formed  by  the  Representatives  of  a 
part  of  this  State,  by  which  the  whole  Rights  of  the  People  are 
assumed  by  that  House. 

II.  Because  the  Precept  in  Consequence  of  which  this  meet- 
ing was  called  is  inconsistant  with  the  Liberties  of  a free  peo- 
ple ; in  that  it  directs  to  have  different  corporate  Towns  (who 
have  a right  to  act  by  themselves  in  all  Cases)  to  unite  for  the 
purpose  of  chusing  a Representative  and  Counsellor 

III.  Because  it  limits  us  in  our  Choice  to  a Person  who  has 
a real  Estate  of  £200.  L.  M.  whereas  we  conceive  that  there 
ought  to  be  no  pecuniary  Restriction  ; but  that  ev'ery  Elector  is 
capable  to  be  elected. 

3.  Voted  Unanimously  that  the  Select  Men  be  directed  to 
make  return  of  the  foregoing  Vote  with  the  reasons  annex’d  to- 
gether with  the  Precept  to  the  Assembly  proposed  to  be  held 
at  Exeter  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  Dec’’  next. 

4.  Voted  unanimously  that  we  will  not  give  in  our  votes  for 
a Counsellor  as  directed  in  the  Precept  I.  Because  we  can  see 
no  important  end  proposed  by  their  Creation,  unless  to  negative 
the  proceedings  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ; which  we 
humbly  conceive  ought  not  to  be  done  in  a free  State. 

II.  Because  every  Elector  ought  to  have  a Voice  in  the 
Choice  of  each  Counsellor  (in  Cases  where  they  are  needfid)  — 
and  not  be  restricted  in  his  Choice  to  any  particular  Limits 
within  the  State — For  which  Reason  w'e  protest  against  a Coun- 
sellor being  chosen  in  this  County,  as  directed  in  the  Precept. 

Voted  unanimously  that  the  Clerk  be  directed  to  make 
return  of  the  last  Vote  wdth  the  Reasons  annex’d,  and  our  Pro- 
test, as  the  Precept  directs  relative  to  Vote  for  a Counsellor. 

^,6.  Voted  that  this  meeting  be  dissolved — And  it  was  accord- 
ingly dissolved 


AttesF 


HANOVER.  i6s 

[5-40]  [ Vote  of  the  Town  relative  to  the  matter  in  Dis~ 

putei\ 

At  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hanover 
Feb^  3*^  ^777  Warned  for  considering  and  acting  upon  any  mat- 
ter that  might  relate  to  a Hand  Bill  from  the  Hon'^^®  Meshech 
Weare  Esq’’  in  behalf  of  a Committee  appointed  by  the  assem- 
bly at  Exeter  Informing  that  the  said  Committee  propose  to  be 
at  m^  pains,  at  Hanover  on  the  of  this  Insb  Feb^  to  con- 
verse with  any  persons  the  j^eople  shall  appoint  in  order  to  give 
them  all  the  satisfaction  they  can  with  regard  to  the  proceedings 
of  the  said  assembly  for  the  promoting  peace  harmony  &c. 
This  meeting  having  taken  the  matter  under  consideration  and 
being  desirous  of  facilitating  any  design  to  promote  peace  and 
Harmony  as  well  as  secure  the  Liberties  of  the  people  thro’ 
this  state  Think  it  necessary  that  m’’  Weare  be  informed  that 
this  Town  have  heretofore  appointed  their  Committee  to  join 
with  the  Committee  of  a number  of  Towns  within  this  State 
for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  some  proper  measures  to  obtain  a 
redress  of  those  Grievences  we  Labour  under  in  consequence 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  late  Congress  and  Assembly  at  Exe- 
ter, that  the  doings  of  said  Joint  Committees  have  been  laid 
before  and  approbated  by  said  Town,  that  their  meeting  stands 
adjourned  to  the  13*^  of  this  Instant  Feb^  at  M*'  Ordways  at 
Lebanon  ; and  that  we  think  it  Expedient  that  in  this  matter 
we  act  in  concert  with  said  Joint  Committees  as  it  appears  to 
us  the  most  likely  method  to  answer  the  End  proposed  namely 
to  satisfy  the  minds  of  the  people  and  promote  Harmony  and 
peace  which  we  Earnestly  desire  may  be  effected  on  reasonable 
Terms,  for  which  reason  we  omit  appointing  any  persons  to 
meet  the  Committee  at  m^  Pains  and  refer  them  to  the  aforesaid 
meeting  at  Lebanon. 

Voted  that  the  select  Men  be  desired  forthwith  to  send  a 
Coppy  of  the  Above  to  m*'  Weare 

David  Woodward  Moderator 

A True  Coppy  Attest  Jonathan  Freeman  Clerk 

To  The  Hon*’'®  Meshech  Weare  Esq : and  the  other  gentle- 
men of  the  Committe  appointed  by  the  Assembly  at  Exeter  to 
endeavour  to  satisfy  those  persons  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  of  N.  Hampshire  who  are  Dissatisfied  with  the  proceed- 
ings of  s^*  Assembly  on  their  Journey  to  Hanover  Via  Walpole 


[R.  2-63]  \^Petition  of  Lieut.  John  House.^  //yp.] 

To  the  Hon*’*®  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  general  Assembly  convened 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


1 66 

Humbly  Shews  John  House  of  Hanover  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  That  in  September  i775  upon  the  Requisition  of  the 
late  General  Montgomery  for  the  People  upon  Connecticut 
River  within  this  State  to  turn  out  to  his  Assistance  at  the  Seige 
of  S^  Johns  Capt  Israel  Curtis  & your  Petitioner  raised  a Com- 
pany of  men  who  engaged  as  Volunteers  for  two  months  (of 
which  Company  he  was  chosen  Lieutenant)  & served  at  the 
said  Seige — That  in  order  to  the  Equipping  & marching  said 
Company  as  Expeditiously  as  possible  the  said  Captain  & he 
upon  their  joint  credit  supply‘s  said  Company  with  Thirty  five 
Blankets  & Six  Camp  Kettles — That  after  the  Reduction  of 
S*  Johns  the  said  Company  was  taken  into  the  Continental  Ser- 
vice & the  Command  thereof  devolved  upon  him  That  the  said 
Articles  were  worn  out  or  lost  in  said  Service  in  Canada — That 
the  said  Captain  died  in  Canada,  insolvent  & your  Petitioner 
has  since  been  apply*^  to,  for  pay  for  said  Blankets  & Kettles  & 
has  accordingly  paid  for  the  same  Wherefore  he  prays  the 
matter  may  be  taken  into  Consideration  & that  he  may  have  an 
adequate  Compensation  granted  him — & as  bound  shall  pray  &c 

March  24*^^  ^779 

John  House 

Dismist 


[R.  2-64]  \_Petition  of  Thomas  Clark^  Soldier^  addressed  to 
the  Ge7teral  Asse??ibly^  iy8j 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Clark  of  Hanover  in  the  County  of 
Grafton — Humbly  Shews — That  at  the  Commencement  of  the 
present  War  he  inlisted  as  a soldier  during  said  War  in  the  first 
New  Hampshire  Regiment — That  in  the  year  1777  he  was 
wounded,  & rendered  incapable  of  service — That  in  April  177^ 
he  procured  a Furlough  and  returned  Home,  where  he  re- 
mained sick,  and  unable  to  do  any  business  during  the  term  of 
Fifteen  months — That  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  June  Anno  Dom- 
ini 1781,  he  procured  an  able  bodied  Man  to  serve  in  his  stead 
during  the  War,  and  on  the  same  day  was  discharged.  That 
he  paid  to  the  Man  he  so  procured  one  hundred  Spanish  Mill’d 
Dollars,  * * * — 

Sam^  Maccluer  in  behalf 
of  the  Petitioner — 


[R.  2-65]  \ Petition  of  Lieut,  fames  Goold,,  iy8j.~\ 

To  the  honorable  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire Humbly  Sheweth 

The  petition  of  James  Gould  a Lieutenant  in  Col®  Cilley’s 


HANOVER. 


167 

Regiment  in  Cap^^  Houses  company  in  the  Continental  service — 
That  your  Petitioner  being  wounded  in  the  Continental  service 
in  Sep^  1777  thereby  rendered  unfit  for  duty  was  afterwards 
placed  on  half  pay — and  that  he  has  not  received  the  deprecia- 
tion money  due  previous  thereto — * * * 

James  Goold 

Concord  Nov*"  5^^  i7^3- 

[R.  2-68] 

[In  a petition  dated  June,  1793,  he,  the  said  Goold,  states 
that  “a  short  time  before  the  taking  of  Gen^  Burgoyne,  in 
an  engagement  with  the  enemy  he  received  a wound  by  a 
shot  of  a musquet  ball  through  his  body.” — Ed.] 


[R.  2-61]  \_Peter  yohnson^  Bunker  Hill  Soldier 

[The  two  following  documents  have  come  to  light  since 
the  Enfield  papers  were  in  print : — Ed.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

I the  subscriber  do  certify  that  Peter  Johnson  Now  an  inhab- 
itant in  the  town  of  Enfield  in  said  state  was  a soldier  in  Capt 
Goardin  Huthens  Compiny  and  Col  Starks  Rigimant  and  was 
personely  Preasent  in  the  Battel  at  Bunk  hill  then  and  there 
Receive  a wound  by  a muskit  ball  in  his  Rite  arm  I then  being 
a Chirurgeon  in  said  Rigimant  took  care  of  said  wound  and 
with  my  own  hand  extracted  sevei'al  Peases  of  Boons  out  of 
said  arm  and  found  the  Cords  very  much  damaged 

Certify d By  your  very  Humble  Serv‘d 

Doctor  Benjamin  Tifiany 

hanover  December  the  21  : 17S8 

[David  Curtis,  Moses  Jones,  and  David  Choat,  selectmen 
of  Enfield,  certified  to  his  being  unable  do  support  his  fam- 
ily of  five  small  children,  in  consequence  of  said  wound. 
Dated  Dec.  15,  1788. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-60.]  \_Soldiers’  Orders,  1^86.^ 

Sir  please  to  pay  the  bearer  the  whole  that  is  due  to  me  as  a 


i68 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Soldier  in  Cap*  Samuel  Paines  Company  to  the  Northward  in 
the  year  1780 

Nathaniel  Ketchum 

Hanover  Jan  7*^  1786. 

to  the  paymaster  of  said  Com^" 

£10,  13,  9. 

[Orders  bearing  the  same  date,  in  similar  language,  were 
signed  by  John  Durkee,  £10,  13,  8,  and  Benjamin  Smith, 
£ii:  14,  9.  The  following  men  signed  orders  for  pay  for 
service  done  in  Capt.  Abel  Stevens’s  company,  in  1780. 

Elinda  Brown  £8,  16,  2 Corpl.  Silas  Tenney,  £9,  10,  9 
Jonathan  Woodward  8,  16,  2 “robudHase,”  10,  14,  i 

Salmon  Dow  10,  14,  i Daniel  Jacobs  8,  16,  2 

—Ed.] 


[From  “A  return  of  Provisions  which  Hanover  Men  in 
Cap*  Freemans  Comp  In  CoF  Jonathan  Chases  Reg* 
Brought  from  home  with  them  Sep*  26,  1777”  I copy 
the  following  names. — Ed.] 


Edmund  Freeman 
David  Eaton 
Jehial  Woodward 
David  Wright 
Benj’^  Davis 
Jos*'  Curtis 
W'"  Chandler 
David  Tinney 


Nat  Wright 
W"'  Dewey 
Silas  Tinney 
Jon**'  Curtis 
Dan*  Kindrick 
Step*'  Benton 
Hem"  Durkee 
Elij*'  Smith 


W"'  Woodward 
Salv®  Freeman 
Elisha  Smith 
Tho®  Brown 
Nat  Lord 
Dav^  Chandler 
John  Durkee 
Step*'  Murch 


\^From  Gen.  Chase’s  Papers.~\ 

A List  of  the  ofisers  & Soldiers  Engaged  in  the  Continental 
Service  out  of  the  Second  company  of  militia  in  Hannover  un- 
der the  command  of  cp*  Joshua  Henda 

in  new  hampshear  Service 

Leu*  Daniel  Clapp  Sergant  William  Winton 

Sergant  jotham  Stearns 

Privates  thomas  Clark  John  Baldwin 


HANOVER. 


169 


in  the  Service  of  new  york  and  the  State  of  Vermont 

Major  John  Whelock  Cap‘  Comfort  Sever 

Lieu^  Elezer  Whelock  Lieif  John  Payne 

Sergant  Asa  huntington  Sergant  Samuel  Clap 

Isac  Osbon  Jonathan  gillit  Elijah  Hammon 

William  Broughton  Benjamin  Chase  john  Wilcoks 
Benjamin  Larrabe  Zebina  Curtis  John  Stockbridge 

This  return  made  By  Simeon  Dewey  Ensign  of  s^  Company 

hannover  Sep.  ^777 


Cap*  Freemans  Return  [no  date]. 
Names  of  Hanover  men 


Sarg*  Sam*  Slade 
Able  Bridgman 
Robert  Mason 
Ruben  Tenney 


Aaron  Smith 
Deliverance  Wood- 
ward Jr 
Danel  Taylor 


Ezekel  Parker 
Zopher  Kitcham 
Elez^  Hill 
Medad  Taylor 


A return  of  the  men  that  went  into  the  continental  service 
out  of  my  company  for  the  state  of  New  Hampshier 

William  Winton  aged  42  five  feet  six  inches  high  place  of  abode 
when  listed  was  Hanover 

Jotham  Stearnes  aged  35  six  feet  high  place  of  abode  when  list- 
ed Hanover 

thomas  Clark  aged  36  five  feet  five  inches  high  place  of  abode 
when  inlisted  Hanover 

the  three  men  above  written  inlisted  with  Cap*  House  in  Col* 
Silleys  Rigement 

John  Bolden  an  indion  five  feet  eight  inches  high  aged  28  his 
place  of  abode  has  generally  ben  at  Dartmouth  Colege  in 
Hanover  he  inlisted  with  Cap*  Farewell  in  Colo*  Silleyes 
Rigement 

Joshua  Hendee  Cap* 

Hanover  April  y®  13  1778 

To  Colon*  Jonathan  Chase  att  Cornish 


Col.  Chase 

Sir  I have  with  the  officers  and  the  Concurrence  of  the  town 
have  proseede  to  Raise  the  three  months  men  and  have  done 
as  follows  have  inlisted  four  men  and  Drafted  the  other  too. 
the  Names  of  the  inlisted  are  as  follows  Silas  Tenny  Elinda 


170 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Brown  Daniel  Jacobs  and  Jonathan  Woodward — the  Drafted 
ones  Ebenz’'  Kindrick  and  Abijah  Smith  Mr  Kindrick  has  paid 
his  fine 

Thomas  Durkee  Lieu* 

Hanover  July  the  lo  Instant  1780 


To  Col®  Jon“  Chase 

S*'  This  may  Certify  that  Robert  Mason  John  Pindal  & Me- 
dad  Taylor  all  of  this  Town  have  this  week  inlisted  into  Cap* 
Houses  Company  Col®  Sillys  Regiment  for  the  Term  of  three 
years  and  have  been  mustered  by  Maj.  Jon^  Child  Muster  Mas- 
ter 

Hanover  march  20*^  177S 

Attest  Jon®  Freeman  L* 
also  Davis  by  information  of  L*  Durgee 


[5-41]  S^Petition  to  have  a fart  of  Hanover  incorporated 

into  a new  Town^  77<^j.] 

To  the  honorable  Council  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire.  Humbly  sheweth  The  petition  of  the  subscribers 
residents  of  a destrict  of  land  hereafter  described  in  the  vicinity 
of  Dartmouth  College  in  the  county  of  Grafton  and  State  of 
New  Hampshire  That  at  the  settlement  of  said  College  in  the 
southwest  part  of  Hanover  A.  D.  1770  it  was  proposed  that  a 
distinct  town  or  parish  should  be  formed  contiguous  to  it  out  of 
the  towns  of  Hanover  and  Lebanon  ; in  compliance  with  which 
proposal  the  said  towns  have  passed  votes  expressing  their 
consent  that  it  may  be  effected — That  the  inhabitants  within 
said  territory  have  formed  settlements  there  in  expectation  that 
such  town  would  soon  be  formed  ; and  great  inconveniences 
must  arise  on  account  of  their  situation  from  a connection  with 
Hanover  and  Lebanon  in  town  matters — That  in  consideration 
of  such  inconvenience  and  by  consent  of  said  towns  the  said 
inhabitants  have  transacted  matters  separate  from  the  said  towns 
for  near  six  years  last  past,  which  necessity  has  at  many  times 
in  the  course  of  the  war  compelled  them  to  in  cases  of  alarms 
&C  as  a separate  military  company  was  established  there  be- 
fore the  commencement  of  the  war — Your  petitioners  therefore 
humbly  pray  that  all  that  part  of  the  town  of  Hanover  bounded 
southerly  by  the  southern  line  of  said  town,  eastwardly  by  the 
two  mile  road  (so  called)  and  the  second  hundred  acre  lots 
drawn  to  the  original  rights  of  the  first  Minister  and  Prince 


HANOVER. 


I7I 


Freeman  northwardly  by  the  southern  and  western  lines  of  the 
second  hundred  acre  lots  drawn  to  the  original  rights  of  John 
Sherwin  Stephen  Walcot  Nathan  Wright  and  Otiss  Freeman 
and  the  fifty  third  river  lot,  and  westwardly  by  the  western  line 
of  said  Hanover — Also  all  that  part  of  the  town  of  Lebanon 
bounded  as  follows  viz.  Beginning  at  an  hemlock  tree  (marked 
4 on  the  south  side  and  5 on  the  north  side)  being  the  north- 
west corner  of  said  Lebanon  thence  running  eastwardly  on  the 
northwardly  line  of  said  town  three  miles  to  a white  pine  tree 
marked  3 thence  turning  off  at  right  angles  and  running  south- 
erly one  mile  and  a half,  thence  turning  at  right  angles  and 
running  westwardly  to  the  westward  line  of  said  town,  thence 
northerly  on  said  line  to  the  first  mentioned  bound  be  incor- 
porated and  erected  into  a distinct  town  and  be  invested  with 
such  privileges  and  immunities  as  other  towns  within  the  State 
have  and  enjoy,  and  so  as  shall  best  subserve  the  rights  and  in- 
terest of  said  College, 

And  we  would  further  request  that  Bezaleel  Woodward  Esq*" 
(whom  we  have  appointed  our  Agent  in  this  matter)  may  be 
beard  on  the  premises  in  our  behalf  as  occasion  may  require. 

And  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &C 

Dresden  October  24^^  17S3 


John  Young 
Joseph  Lee 
Asahel  Warren 
Sam®^  Green 
John  Smith 
James  Goold 
Beza  Woodward 
Dan®^  Porter 
Eben  Brewster 


Simeon  Dewey 
Aaron  Storrs 
John  Crane 
Sam^  Maccluer 
Jabez  Bingham 
Daniel  Clapp 
Laban  Gates 
Benoni  Dewey 
Parker  Smith 


Daniel  Gould 
Joseph  Green 
Luther  Ingals 
Benj°  Colt 
Ebenez.  Fitch 
George  Eager 
Sylvanus  Ripley 
Eleazar  Wheelock 


[5-42]  \^Retuv7i  of  Ratable  Polls.,  1^83. 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Grafton  ss  Dec’’  21®*  A D i7S3* 

Then  Russel  Freeman  and  Aaron  Storrs  a committee  of  the 
town  of  Hanover  each  personally  appeared  and  made  solemn 
oath  that  they  have  carefully  computed  the  number  of  male 
polls  of  twenty  one  years  of  age  and  upwards  paying  for  them- 
selves a poll  tax  in  said  Hanover  and  find  the  said  number  to 
be  one  hundred  and  fifty  four. 

Sworn  before  Beza  Woodward  Justice  of  Peace 


\J2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-43]  \_Petition  for  the  Appointment  of  a Magistrate^ 

To  his  Excellency,  the  President:  the  Hon.  Council  for  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire. 


The  Petition  of  a number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Hanover,  in  the  County  of  Grafton  in  s*^  State  ; Humbly  Shew- 
eth  that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  ; are  so  large,  as  to  be 
more  than  a Competent  number  for  one  Representative  ; and 
that  the  Settlements  are  made  in  almost  every  part  of  s^  town  ; 
and  at  present,  we  have  no  Justice  of  the  Peace  appointed,  ex- 
cept IVP  Woodward  ; who  lives  in  that  part  called  the  College 
District,  which  is  at  one  Corner  of  the  Town,  and  remote  from 
the  main  body  of  the  Inhabitants  ; which  renders  it  very  in  con- 
veniant  for  the  People  back  from  the  College  part. 

We  therefore,  pray,  that  your  Excellency,  and  HoiP®,  would 
take  our  Case  into  your  wise  and  Candid  Consideration  ; and  at 
your  Next  meeting  to  appoint  the  Authority,  in  the  State,  would 
Nominate,  and  appoint  Russel  Freeman  : to  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  peace : and  your  Petitioners,  as  in  Duty  bound, 
will  ever  Pray. 


Hanover  Nov*"  27”*^  i7^4* 


Stephen  Herrick 
Salmon  Dow 
Calvin  Topliff 
Simeon  Forbes 
Augustus  Storrs 
Nathaniel  Wood- 
ward 

Benjamin  Plumley 
Elijah  Hurlbuttj 
william  woodward 
Silvanus  Freeman 
John  Ordway 
John  Wright  Jun. 
Edward  Smith 
John  Tenny 
Solomon  Jacobs 
Nat.  Heaton 
Samuel  Slade 
Phinehas  Page 
Dell! no  Wright 
Thomas  Miner 


Joel  Brown 
John  Durkee 
David  Tenny 
Lemuel  Dowe 
Silas  Tenny 
John  williams 
Thos  Durkee 
Eldad  taylor 
Abijah  Durkee 
Timothy  Owen 
Nathaniel  Ketcham 
Abel  parks 
Webster  Hall 
Perley  Buck 
Asa  hill 
Eliezar  hill 
Daniel  Chandler 
Samuel  Hase 
David  hase 
Robart  hase 
Benjamin  Tiffany 


James  Tiffany 
Israel  Camp 
Nathanae^  Hurlbutt 
Jun. 

Reuben  Tenny 
David  Woodward 
Asahel  Warren 
Abijah  Smith 
Asa  Parker 
Timothy  Parker 
John  Smith 
Elijah  Wolly 
Robert  Mason 
John  Wright 
Peter  Knap 
David  Wright 
Peter  Walker 
Zadoc  Brown 
Elinda  Brown 
Peter  Knap  Jn 


HANOVER. 


173 


[5-44]  \^Petition  for  an  Issue  of  Paper  Money ^ 1^84!^ 

State  of  Newhampshire 

To  his  Excellincy  the  Presidant  the  honourable  the  Senate  and 
house  of  Representatives  for  Said  State  in  general  assembly 
Convened 


The  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  being  inhabitants  of  Said 
State  Most  humbly  Shueth  that  your  petitioners  with  others  the 
inhabitants  of  this  State  Labour  under  great  Inconveanancy  for 
want  of  a Courancy  or  medium  Sufficient  To  transeactthe  Com- 
mon busness  between  Man  and  man  But  more  Espeically  for 
the  payment  of  publick  taxes  in  this  State  and  as  the  State  is 
greatly  in  debt  and  have  Issued  their  State  Nots  to  a Large 
amount  for  the  Interest  of  which  they  are  annually  Taxed  as 
well  as  for  part  of  the  principal  and  wheras  the  State  is  also 
Caulled  upon  and  Taxed  for  a Very  Large  Sum  for  the  pay- 
ment of  interest  on  Contenental  Loan  office  Certificates  issued 
in  this  State  the  payment  of  all  which  is  Rendered  Next  To 
imposable  for  the  Scarcety  of  money — Notwithstanding  your 
petitioners  are  Desireous  to  Discharge  their  publick  Debets 
with  the  Strictest  honour  And  integrity  that  Nature  of  Things 
will  admit  your  petitioners  therefore  Pray  your  Excellincy  and 
honours  would  ammediatly  Make  and  issue  a Sum  or  bank  of 
paper  money  Sufficient  to  pay  of  and  Discharge  all  Such  State 
Notes  and  Contenantal  Loan  office  Certificats  issued  in  this 
State  as  aforesaid  and  that  Said  paper  money  might  Be  made  a 
Tender  in  all  past  or  future  taxes  in  this  State  and  answer  in 
all  payments  in  the  publick  Treasury  and  in  all  payments  in  all 
private  Contracts  whatsoever — or  otherwise  Releave  your  peti- 
tioners as  to  your  Excellincy  and  honours  in  your  wisedom 
Shall  Seem  meet  and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall 
Ever  pray — 

Hanover  Sep''  28**'  17S4 — 


Ebe*”  Brewster 
John  marshall 
Benj“  Chase 
Sam'^  M*'Cluer 
Daniel  Gould 
Zechariah  Weston 
Nicholas  Gilman 
George  Foster 
Joel  Brown 
W™  Taylor 
Luther  Lincoln 


Aaron  Storrs 
John  Payne 
Jabez  Bingham 
James  Goold 
Ebenezer  Fitch 
Ralph  Wheelock 
Calvin  Waldo 
John  Ordway 
Nathaniel  Hulbert 
Jun'- 

David  Woodward 


Tilly  Howe 
John  Crane 
Parker  Smith 
Benoni  Dewey 
John  House 
Benj"'  Coult 
Joseph  green 
Enos  Kellogg 
Tho®  Durkee 
David  Tinny 
Stephen  Benton 


174 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Nathaniel  Heaton 
James  Murch 
David  Chandlar 
David  Hase 
Jacob  Eaton 
Jon“  Curtice 
Asa  Hill 
Lemuel  Dowe 
John  Williams 


Webster  Hall 
John  Willis 
Sam^  Hase 
W*"  Hunt 
John  Bridgman 
Stockm°  Sweat 
Gideon  Rudd 
Andrew  Tenny 
John  Tenny 


Eldad  Taylor 
David  Eaton 
Able  Parker 
Silas  Tinny 
Joshua  Cushman 
Jon“  Beard 
Ebene^  Wright 
Reuben  Tenny 
David  wright 


[Some  of  the  foregoing  were  students  at  the  college,  and 
not  residents  of  Hanover. — Ed.] 


[5-45]  \_Relative  to  a Road  through  Town^  laid  out  by  a 
Legislative  Committee^  iy86.~\ 

To  the  Honourable  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hanover  in 
the  County  of  Grafton  Humbly  sheweth 

That  in  the  oppinion  of  your  petitioners,  the  County  road  as 
laid  by  the  states  Committee  through  said  town  of  Hanover, 
May  be  altered  to  great  advantage  to  the  public  in  general  as 
well  as  to  this  Town  in  particular,  as  we  are  fully  persuaded 
we  can  show  where  a road  may  be  laid  through  said  Town  on 
more  suitable  land  for  the  purpose  both  on  account  of  the  Hills 
and  dryness  of  the  Land,  and  the  distance  of  which  from  the 
College  to  the  Southeastly  corner  of  said  Town  will  not  be  so 
great  as  where  y®  road  is  now  laid  by  more  than  one  mile  & 
half — That  this  alteration  will  save  y®  Town  great  expence  in 
making  said  road,  and  as  the  Committee  who  laid  said  road 
had  not  the  Benefit  of  viewing  this  place,  Your  petitioners 
would  Humbly  pray  your  Honours  to  take  this  matter  into  your 
wise  consideration,  and  to  appoint  an  Impartial  Committee  to 
look  into  the  aforesaid  matter  and  act  thereon  as  may  be  most 
conducive  to  the  public  good — 

And  your  petitioners  and  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

June  3*^  1786 

NatH  Babbit  \ A committee  in  behalf 
Gideon  Tiffany  j of  Said  Town 


HANOVER. 


175 


[5-47]  \^Petition  for  a Grant  to  make  a Canal^  etc.^  77^2.] 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  Newhampshire  to  be  convened  at  Dover  Tune 

1792— 

The  Petition  of  Ebenezer  Bruster  Aaron  Hutchinson  & Rufus 
Graves 

Humbly  sheweth  That  whereas  the  rendering  Connecticut 
river  navigable  for  boats  is  an  object  of  the  greatest  Importance 
to  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Country  and  ingrosis  the  attention  of 
all  the  states  thro’  which  the  river  passes  and  grants  have  actu- 
ally been  obtained  for  locking  all  the  falls  below  the  Towns  of 
Lebanon  & Hanover  in  this  State 

And  whereas  the  erecting  of  a Bridge  over  said  river  against 
one  or  other  of  said  Towns  would  also  be  of  great  advantage  to 
said  Country  and  the  public  in  general,  and  your  Petitioners 
being  disposed  to  undertake  said  Business  provided  they  can 
meet  with  sufficient  encouragement — Pray  your  Honors  to  grant 
to  them  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  the  exclusive  priviledge 
of  cuting  a Cannal  and  locking  all  the  falls  between  the  south 
line  of  Lebanon  and  the  north  Line  of  Hanover  aforesaid  and 
of  erecting  a Bridge  within  the  limmits  aforesaid  Under  such 
regulations  and  restrictions  as  your  Honors  shall  Judge  prop- 
er— 

and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Hanover  June  i**  1792 

Ebenezer  Brewster 
Aaron  Hutchison 
Rufus  Graves 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  the  foregoing  petition  was  referred  to  a 
committee,  who  made  the  following  report : — Ed.] 

[5-46] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

In  the  Plouse  of  Representatives  June  13*’’  1792 — 

The  Committee  on  the  petition  of  Ebenizer  Brewster  and 
others  reported,  That  the  prayer  thereof  be  so  far  granted,  as 
that  the  petitioners  have  leave  to  cut  canals  and  lock  all  the  falls 
in  Connecticut  River  between  the  mouth  of  Mink  brook  in 
Hanover  and  the  eddy  below  the  lower  bar  of  White  River  falls 
in  Lebanon,  and  likewise  the  privilege  of  building  a toll  bridge 
over  said  Riv’er  in  any  place  within  the  limits  aforesaid,  not  to 
interfere  with  private  property,  or  the  grant  of  any  ferrv,  with- 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


176 

out  compensation  to  the  owner ; and  that  they  have  leave  to 
bring  in  a bill  accordingly — Which  report  having  been  read  and 
considered  it  was  voted  that  the  same  be  received  and  accept- 
ed— 

Sent  up  for  Concurrence 

Jn°  Sam  Sherburne  Speaker 

[They  were  incorporated  by  an  act  passed  June  20,  1792. 
— Ed.] 


[5-48]  \_Isaac  Rogers’s  Petition  for  a Ferry ^ 779^^.] 

To  the  Honourable  The  General  Court  of  the  state  of  New 

Hampshire  to  be  holden  at  Amherst  the  first  Wednesday  in 

June  1794 

The  Petition  of  Isaac  Rogers  of  Hanover  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  in  s^  state  ; humbly  sheweth,  that  there  is  no  public 
ferry  kept  over  the  River  Connecticut  from  Brewster®  ferry  in 
Lime  so  calP  to  the  Colledge  ferry  in  the  lower  part  of  s*^  Han- 
over, the  distance  of  About  nine  miles,  that  there  is  About  four 
miles  of  s*^  river  opposite  to  the  upper  part  of  s^  Hanover,  which 
remains  ungranted  ; that  your  petitioner  Owning  the  land  Ad- 
joining to  s*^  river  within  the  Aforesaid  ungranted  part ; and 
W’here  a ferry  will  be  most  Convenient ; He  therefore  pray® 
that  Your  Honours  would  Grant  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns 
the  Exclusive  right  of  keeping  a ferry  over  s*^  river,  from  Lime 
for  three  miles  down  s*^  river;  and  Your  petitioner  as  in  duty 
bound  will  ever  pray 

Hanover  May  28*^  ^794 

Isaac  Rogers — 

The  Subscribers  select  Men  of  Hanover  are  satisfied  that  the 
facts  stated  in  the  within  petition  are  true  that  the  s*^  Ferry  will 
be  A public  benifit  are  desireous  the  prayer  of  the  within  peti- 
tion may  be  granted 

Joseph  Curtiss  ) Select 
Samuel  Slade  j Men 

Att  a Legal  Meeting  held  March  8‘^  ^79® 

Voted  that  Gideon  Smith  of  Hanover  have  the  Approbation 
of  the  Ferry 

True  Copy  Attest 


Joel  Brown  T.  Clerk 


HAVERHILL. 


177 


This  may  Certify  the  Honourable  General  Court  that  I Gid- 
eon Smith  have  sold  the  land  Adjoining  s*^  river  to  the  Above 
petitioner  and  humbly  pray  that  the  Above  Grant  be  made  to 
the  within  Petitioner 

Gideon  Smith 


HAVERHILL. 

The  township  was  granted  May  18,  1763,  to  John  Hazzen 
and  74  others,  some  of  whom  were  from  Haverhill,  Mass., 
and  the  town  derived  its  name  from  that  place.  It  had  pre- 
viously borne  the  name  of  Lower  Cohos,  and  was  a favorite 
place  with  the  Indians,  who  had  a fort  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  near  where  Capt.  John  Hazzen  settled  in  1764. 

By  an  act  approved  June  21,  1815,  the  town  was  divided 
into  two  parishes.  Samuel  Morey  of  Orford,  Jonathan 
Merrill  of  Warren,  and  Samuel  Hutchins  of  Bath,  were 
appointed  to  run  the  divisional  line  between  the  two  par- 
ishes. 

Among  its  prominent  men  prior  to  1800  w'as  Hon.  Moses 
Dow,  a native  of  Atkinson,  and  a graduate  of  Harvard  col- 
lege in  1769.  He  was  elected  a member  of  congress  by  the 
legislature  of  this  state  in  1784,  but  declined  the  honor.  He 
was  a member  of  the  New  Hampshire  senate  in  1784,  and 
of  the  council  in  1785  and  1786,  and  again  in  1792,  and  was 
a judge  of  the  court  in  Grafton  county  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  March  31,  1811,  aged  64. 


[5-49]  \^Petition  for  a Ferry ^ Z772.] 

To  his  Excellencey  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Cheif  in  and  over  the  Province 
of  New  Hampshire  and  vice  Admiral  of  the  Same  In  Coun- 
cill— 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Johnson  of  Newbury  in  the  County 
of  Gloucester  & Province  of  New  York,  humbly  Sheweth  that 
by  Charter,  there  is  but  one  Ferry,  Across  Connecticut  River 
in  Haverhill  in  the  County  of  Rockingham,  by  Charter  allow- 
ed to  be  kept,  which  by  said  Charter  ought  to  be  kept  within 
one  mile  of  the  Point  of  the  little  Ox  Bow  (so  Call’d)  as  said 

H 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


178 

River  runs  and  that  said  Ferry  so  allow’d  to  be  kept,  hath  hith- 
erto been,  kept,  more  than  four  miles  above  said  Point,  as  said 
River  runs,  and  that  there  hath,  for  a number  of  Years  before 
the  making-out  said  Charter,  a Boat  been  kept  and  us’d,  for  the 
Conveniency  of  Travellers,  passing  said  River,  at  y®  Place 
where  the  publick  Highway  passes  s^  River  from  said  Haver- 
hill to  said  Newbury  near  the  now  Dwelling  House  of  Richard 
Chamberlin  in  said  Newbury  which  place  is  almost  two  miles 
below  s*^  Point,  of  the  little  Ox  Bow,  where  your  Petitioner 
beggs  Leave  to  Say  a Ferry  ought  Still  to  be  kept  for  the  Con- 
veniencey  of  Travellers,  Whereupon  your  Execellency’s  Peti- 
tioner, humbly  prays,  that  Your  Excellency  would  Grant  him, 
Liberty  to  Sett  up  & keep  a Ferry,  accross  said  River,  at  or 
near  s^^  places  where  said  Highway  passes,  from  said  Haverhill 
to  s'^  Newbury  by  y®  House  of  s*^  Chamberlin  under  usual  Reg- 
ulations & Restrictions  and  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 

Ports®  Novem’'  13,  1772. 

thorn®  Johnson 

[5-5 >] 

[A  plan  of  a portion  of  Connecticut  river.  The  ferry 
asked  for  was  granted  November  ii,  1774. — Ed.] 


[5-50]  \^Extract from  Grant  to  Asa  Porter 

the  Sole  right  of  keeping  a Ferry  & keeping  useing  and  em- 
ploying a Ferry  Boat  or  Boats  for  the  Transporting  of  Men 
Horses  Goods  Cattle  Carriages  &c  from  the  Shore  of  Haverhill 
afores*^ — cross  Connecticut  river  to  the  opposite  Shore  of  New- 
bury & from  s*^  Newbury  to  the  oppose  Shore  of  Haverhill  with- 
in one  Mile  on  a Strait  Line  from  that  Part  of  HaverHill  called 
the  Point  of  the  little  Ox  Bow  being  a Point  of  medow  Land 
now  in  Possesion  of  Cap*^  John  Hazzan  To  Hold  &c 

And  as  a further  encouragement  to  the  said  Asa  Porter  in  and 
about  the  premises,  we  Will  that  none  of  our  loving  Subjects  do 
presume  to  molest  or  interrupt  the  s*^  Asa  Porter  in  his  said  Fer- 
ry or  set  up  any  other  Ferry  upon  or  Across  the  said  River  Con- 
necticut, within  One  Mile  above  or  below  the  Ferry  of  the  said 
Asa  Porter. 

The  above  Two  Paragraphs  extracted  from  the  Record  of  the 
Grant  of  Mr.  Asa  Porter’s  Ferry  across  Connect*  River  from 
Haverhill  to  Newbury,  and  are  truly  Copied  from  thence 

Attest^  Theodore  Atkinson  Sec^ 


HAVERHILL.  1/9 

[5-51]  \^Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  ?natter  of  Granting' 
a Ferry  to  Tho^nas  fohnson .'j 

Pursuant  to  a Vote  of  Councill  appointing  us  a committee  to 
consider  of  the  petition  of  Thom®  Johnson  for  the  priveledge  of 
a Ferry  across  Connecticut  river  between  the  Towns  of  Flaver- 
hill  and  Newbury  also  the  grant  made  to  Asa  Porter  Esq*'  of  a 
Ferry  priveledge  between  said  Towns  beg  Leave  to  report  as 
follows.  The  grant  made  to  Asa  Porter  Esq*  we  suppose  fixes 
the  place  where  said  ferry  is  to  be  kept  at  the  point  of  the  little 
Ox  Bow  and  that  the  priveledge  of  one  mile  above  and  one  mile 
below  said  point  is  to  be  measured  upon  the  river  agreable  to 
its  general  course,  but  upon  viewing  the  plans  exhibited  to  us 
by  the  Parties  we  find  that  the  ferry  now  kept  by  M*  Porter  is 
between  three  & four  miles  upon  the  river  above  said  point  & 
the  place  fixed  upon  by  M*  Johnson  is  near  Two  miles  upon  the 
river  below  the  aforesaid  point,  it  also  appears  to  us  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  public  utility  that  two  ferries  be  established 
across  the  River  between  the  aforesaid  Towns  & nearly  in  the 
places  now  fixed  upon  by  Mess*®  Porter  & Johnson  as  there  is 
no  Spot  upon  the  river  within  a mile  either  above  or  below  said 
point  convenient  for  keeping  a ferry  we  would  also  humbly  sug- 
gest that  care  should  be  taken  in  all  such  grants  that  the  Taxes 
arising  therefrom  should  be  paid  in  this  Government 

D Peirce 
D Rogers 


[5“5^]  \_Felative  to  dead  Body  founds 
M*  Crocker 

The  Bearer  M*  Chamberlain  informs  me,  that  the  Body  of 
poor  John  Presson  drowned  this  afternoon  is  just  now  taken  up, 
and  they  are  in  quest  of  a Coroner  to  set  upon  him — I woud 
inform  you,  (if  you  are  not  already  knowg  to  it)  that  you  were 
appointed  by  the  General  Court  at  Exeter  a Coroner  for  this 
County,  and  in  Case  you  are  willing  to  accept  the  Office,  I am 
ready  to  administer  the  Oath — that  you  may  do  the  Duty  neces- 
sarily required  & w*^'*  please  to  let  me  know  immediately — 

Yr  hum  Serv‘ 

J Hurd 

Haverhill  9^^  Aug®*  1776 

M*  Crocker  returnd  this  Billet  with  an  Answer,  that  he  did 
not  chuse  to  accept  the  Office,  for  he  did  not  like  our  form  of 
Govern* 


i8o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


To  M*'  And^  S : Crocker  present  pr  AT  Chamberlain 

CoT  Hurd  begs  leave  to  recommend  AT  Simeon  Gooding  of 
Haverhill  (in  the  room  of  And'^  S : Crocker) — for  a Coroner — 


[5“53]  \^Enoch  Bartlefs  Complahit ^ iy8o.'\ 

To  the  HonH®  the  Council  And  Representatives  of  the  State  of 

New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Assembled 

The  Petition  Alemorial  And  Address  of  Enoch  Bartlet  of 
Haverhill  Humbly  Shews. — 

That  he  A"our  petitioner  has  lately  Suffered  Aluch  injury  by  a 
Sort  of  Banditti  who  in  Contempt  of  all  laws  did  at  Northum- 
berland in  the  County  of  Grafton  in  Said  State  in  September 
last  without  Any  colour  of  right  commit  a most  horid  ravage, 
by  entering  Upon  his  A^our  petitioners  Grist  Alill  And  Saw  Alill 
in  Said  Northumberland  (lately  erected  or  repaired  at  a great 
expence)  And  Cut  and  destroy’d  the  wheels  Shafts  &c  And  took 
Away  all  the  Iron  Work  of  Said  Alills  Alill  Stones  and  other 
Gear  And  a Qiiantity  of  Boards  and  Carried  them  a Cross  Con- 
necticut River  into  the  State  Called  Vermont  And  improved 
them  for  other  Alills — And  have  Since  when  demanded  refused 
pay  for  the  damages  done — And  that  he  having  Apply’d  to 
Gentlemen  of  the  law  in  order  to  bring  his  Process  Against  the 
trespassers  is  informed  by  them,  that  Unless  Some  further  pro- 
vision is  Alade  by  the  legislators  of  the  State  the  good  And 
wholesome  laws  of  it  Cannot  be  carried  into  execution — And  As 
it  has  ever  been  esteem’d  a great  and  most  valuable  part  of  our 
English  liberties  And  Constitution  founded  on  Alagna  Charta — 
That  Justice  and  right  Should  Not  be  delay’d  or  denied  to  Any 
Alan — And  as  the  Suppression  of  laws  And  good  Order  in  a 
State  is  Attended  with  Anarchy  And  the  most  fatal  Conse- 
quences— He  therefore  humbly  prays  that  you  As  the  guardians 
of  the  just  rights  of  the  people  And  as  legislators  of  the  State 
will  make  provisions  for  the  due  And  just  Administration  of 
Justice  by  law  in  every  part  of  it — 

And  your  petitioner  is  humbly  of  Opinion  that  if  Such  fla- 
grant Acts  of  injustice  Are  conniv’d  at  And  Not  prosecuted. 
Every  ones  property  in  that  county  will  be  in  danger.  And  that 
if  he  Shall  Again  furnish  Stones  Iron  truck  &c  And  repair  Said 
Alills  for  the  benefit  of  the  Inhabitants  he  cannot  think  they  will 
be  Secure  Against  Such  Free  Bootery — And  your  petitioner 
also  further  Says — That  he  has  Suffered  much  at  the  town  of 
Bath  in  s*^  County  for  that  he  could  not  enforce  the  Contract 
Against  his  Tenant  who  has  improved  his  house  And  land  there 


HAVERHILL. 


I8l 


for  Some  Years  past — And  for  that  on  his  Said  Tenants  leaving 
it  without  Notice,  He  by  his  attorney  w^as  obliged  to  let  it  on 
Very  disadvantageous  terms  to  procure  one  to  enter  immediate- 
ly, To  prevent  one  who  was  going  to  enter  And  get  Possession 
of  it  without  leave 

And  Further  Says  that  he  cannot  Suppose  that  his  affairs 
(tho  not  the  most  trivial)  will  alone  put  you  Upon  Acting  on 
the  affair  ; But  that  a due  consideration  of  the  many  Instances 
of  Fraud,  Injustice  and  oppression  that  prevails  in  that  County 
Since  the  laws  were  Suppress’d — will  influence  You  to  Make 
the  Necessary  Provision  Pray’d  for  And  he  As  in  duty  bound 
Shall  ever  pray — 

Enoch  Bartlet 

June  22**  1780 — 


[R.2-71]  \Abstract froin  the  Petition  of  George  Afoor^  Soi- 

dier^ 

[In  a petition,  dated  Haverhill,  June  6,  1783,  George  Moor 
stales  that  he  leased  a piece  of  land  in  Haverhill  of  Capt. 
Joseph  White,  of  Newbury  ; that  said  White  left  and  joined 
the  enemy  in  Canada,  and  thereby  his  property  was  confis- 
cated by  the  state.  He  wants  the  state  to  recognize  his 
claim  as  lessee,  and  sell  him  the  land  for  what  it  was  worth 
when  he  took  the  lease.  He  further  states,  “ that  upon  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Troubles  at  Lexington  he  went  down 
as  a Volunteer  and  Engaged  in  the  service  for  Eight  Months, 
and  afterwards  engaged  with  Colo  ; Bedel  and  went  to  Can- 
ada and  was  under  the  command  of  Gen*  Sullivan  upon  the 
Retreat,  and  have  since  been  in  all  the  different  calls  for 
Men.’— Ed.] 


[R.  2-72]  \_yokn  Pre7ich^  Ar7norer^ 

Haverhill  21®*  Nov*"  1780 — 

This  may  Certify  that  John  French  work**  as  an  armour  for 
the  Troops  Raised  for  the  Defence  of  these  frontiers  by  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire  three  months  in  the  year  1780 — 

Benj®'  Whetcomb 

Major  Com^* 

[John  French,  of  Haverhill,  petitioned  November  7,  1783, 
for  pay  for  said  service,  and  was  allowed  “ three  pounds 
over  and  above  the  pay  he  received  as  a soldier.” — Ed.] 


i82 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-54]  \_Moses  Dow  declines  to  accept  an  Election  as  a 
Member  of  the  Coiigress  of  the  U^iited  States.^ 


Sir 


Haverhill  Oct°  4^^  17S4. 


Having  lately  received  from  your  Secretary  a copy  of  the 
vote  of  the  Gen*  Court,  appointing  the  Hon’ble  Abiel  Foster, 
Jon*^  Blanchard  & John  Langdon  Esquires,  with  myself  delegates 
to  represent  this  State  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
the  ensuing  year.  I take  this  opportunity  to  make  my  sincere 
and  hearty  thanks,  to  your  Excellency  & the  Court  for  the  hon- 
or done  me  in  this  appointment. 

I feel  the  most  agreeable  sensations,  when  I find,  that  I pos- 
sess so  much  of  the  confidence  of  my  fellow-citizens,  as  leads 
them  to  such  an  election  and  as  I have  always  made  it  my  prin- 
cipal design,  uprightly  to  endeavor  the  promotion  of  the  public 
good,  my  ambition  is  highly  gratified,  while  I thus  experience 
the  public  approbation. 

I acknowledge  the  appointment,  to  be  honorable,  & very 
respectable,  and  conceive,  the  tour  & employment  would  be 
exceeding  pleasant  and  agreeable — and  that  all  the  unhappiness 
I should  find  in  the  pursuit,  would  arise  from  a consciousness 
of  my  inability  to  render  that  service  to  the  State,  my  inclina- 
tion would  dictate. 

As  I have  had  no  apprehension,  but  some  two  of  the  three 
worthy  Gentlemen,  at  the  same  time  elected,  who  are  experi- 
enced, & much  better  qualified  for  the  purpose,  at  this  impor- 
tant and  critical  juncture,  when  matters  of  the  last  Consequence 
are  before  Congress,  which  require  the  greatest  wisdom  & per- 
severance, would  have  undertaken  the  representation  of  the 
State,  I have  intirely  neglected  every  necessary  preparation. 

The  present  infirm  state  of  my  health,  the  real  conviction  of 
my  inequality  to  the  business  of  the  mission,  and  many  other 
circumstances,  unnecessary  to  be  mentioned,  render  it  extreme- 
ly difficult,  or  rather  impossible  for  me  to  engage  in  a trust  so 
arduous  & interesting ; And  I doubt  not  but  the  candor  of  your 
Excellency,  and  of  the  worthy  members  of  the  General  Court, 
will  readily  apologize  for,  and  excuse  me,  while  I say  that  I 
cannot  conceive  it  to  be  my  duty,  or  by  any  means,  see  my  way 
clear,  at  this  time,  to  undertake  an  appointment  of  such  weight 
& importance 

With  the  highest  sentiments  of  esteem,  I have  the  honor,  to 
subscribe  myself, 

your  Excellency’s 

most  obedient  & most  humble  Servant 

Moses  Dow 


His  Excellency  Meshech  Weare  Esquire  President  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire. 


HAVERHILL. 


183 

[It  is  difficult  in  these  times  to  believe  that  any  man 
would  decline  to  accept  an  election  as  member  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  Congress,  on  the  plea  of  a lack  of  ability  to  fill 
the  position. — Ed.] 


[5-55]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  Paper  Money ^ iy86.^ 

At  a Legal  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Ha- 
verhill the  Eleventh  Day  of  December  1786,  Voted  Unani- 
mously, that  a Paper  Currency  be  Emitted  on  the  following 
plan — Viz 

That  One  Hundred  Thousand  pounds  be  Emitted, — Twenty 
Thousand  pounds  to  be  in  Suitable  bills  to  defray  the  Charges 
of  Government  & to  Exchange  for  such  publick  securities  as 
may  be  ottered  at  their  current  Exchange,  which  is  to  be  Asser- 
tain’d,  and  to  carry  no  Interest  but  to  be  receivable  in  Taxes  & 
all  demands  of  Governm^  and  a tender  in  all  cases  equal  to 
silver  and  Gold  & to  be  called  in  by  Taxes  Annually — The  res- 
idue to  be  made  in  different  Bills  Expressing  their  import  & to 
be  Loaned  to  individuals  at  five  per  cent  on  landed  Security  of 
double  the  value  & to  be  paid  into  the  Treasury  at  proper  times 
which  shall  carry  an  Iijterest  of  Two  & half  per  cent,  & so  re- 
ceivable in  all  Demands  of  Government  and  a Tender  in  all 
■cases  as  above — with  the  Interest  due  on  said  bills  at  the  time 
of  Pa3mient — 

A true  Coppy 

Attest  Andrew  S.  Crocker  Town 

Clerk 

[For  action  of  the  legislature  on  the  matter,  see  Vol.  XI, 
p.  130.— Ed.] 


,[5“5d]  {^Selectmen’s  Protest  to  the  grant  of  a Ferry  to 

Ezekiel  Ladd.~\ 

To  the  Hon’ble  the  Senate  & the  Hon’ble  House  of  Represent- 
atives of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  to 
be  convened  at  Exeter  on  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  Decem- 
ber 17S8 

Humbly  shew  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Haverhill,  in 
behalf  of  said  Town  that  they  have  been  honored  with  the  copy 
of  the  petition  of  Ezekiel  Ladd  Esq*'  for  the  grant  of  ferry  in 
this  Town  & the  order  of  Court  thereon  & beg  leave  to  object 
to  granting  that  privilege  to  an  individual,  when  very  many  of 
the  inhabitants  of  this  town  have  equal  pretensions  to  it — This 


184 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


town  was  a frontier  during  the  late  war  & much  exposed  to  & 
harrassed  by  the  enemy — whereby  they  were  obliged  to  expend 
great  sums  of  money,  as  well  as  time  & labor,  for  their  own 
safety  as  well  as  for  the  public  good,  for  a great  part  of  which 
they  have  hitherto  laid  no  claim  for  reward  or  compensation — 
That  the  grant  of  all  privileges  of  ferries  in  this  Town,  not 
alreadv  made,  would  be  considered  bv  the  inhabitants  as  some 
compensation  for  said  services  & sufferings 

Wherefore  your  petitioners,  in  behalf  & at  the  direction  of 
said  town  pray  your  Honors  that  all  the  privileges  & emolu- 
ments of  ferries  across  Connecticut  river  against  said  town,  not 
already  chartered,  may  be  granted  & secured  to  & for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  & their  successors  forever 
And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c 


Charles  Johnston 
Andrew  S Crocker 
Joseph  Hutchins 
Nat*^^  Merill 


Selectmen 
^ of  Haverhill 


J 


[5-57]  S^P^titio7i  for  a7t  Act  of  Incorporatio7i  for  the  Acad- 

emy,  1793 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate,  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  Xew  Hampshire  ; In  General  Court  to  be 
Convened  at  Exeter  on  the  Twenty-fifth  day  of  December 

1793— 

Humblv  shew  the  Subscribers,  that  thev  have  latelv  Erected 
and  finished  a lar^e  and  Commodious  Building  for  an  Accad- 

o o 

emy  In  the  Southwardly  part  of  the  Town  of  Haverhill,  and 
have  emploved  a Gentleman  of  Liberal  Education  every  way 
eminently  qualifved  for  a Preceptor  of  an  Accademy  at  their 
own  Expence  ; and  about  thirty  Pupils  are  already  admitted 
there  for  Education,  In  the  Usefull  arts  and  Sciences  ; and  the 
prospect  is  very  flattering  to  be  of  great  ETility  to  the  Publick 
and  especiallv  to  the  rising  Generation  ; and  the  undertakers 
are  determined  to  spare  no  pains  to  make  it  answer  every  pur- 
pose that  can  accompany  such  an  Institution — 

Wherefore  they  pray  your  Honors  ; to  grant  them  an  Incor- 
poration, to  enable  them  with  more  propriety  and  Efficacy  to 
pursue  their  Object,  and  render  Service  to  the  Publick — 

And  your  Petitioners  as  In  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 
Dated  at  Haverhill  Dec’’  1793 


Charles  Johnston 
Sam'  Brooks 
Michael  Johnston 
Amos  Fisk 


Asa  Boynton 
Jonn  Page 
Israel  Swan 
Joshua  Young 


bloody  Bedel 
Joseph  Bliss 
3kIoor  Russell 
Chrisp  B Noyes 


HAVERHILL. 


i85 


Managers  (viz) 

Charles  Johnston  Joseph  Bliss  John  Page 

Esq*'  Samuel  Brooks 

Moses  Dow  Esq*" 

[The  petition  was  granted  Jan.  14,  1794. — Ed.] 


[5-58]  \_Subscriptions  towai'ds  building  a Bridge  over  Con- 
necticut River ^ //p^.] 

Whereas  Benjamin  Chamberlin  of  Newbury  proposes  build- 
ing a bridge  over  Connecticut  River  betwixt  Haverhill  & s*^  New- 
bury at  or  near  the  place  where  he  & his  fathers  have  kept  a 
ferry  for  more  than  thirty  years,  that  is  from  the  beginning  of 
the  first  settlements  in  said  Towns  to  the  present  time — -which 
is  upon  the  nearest — best  & oldest  road  for  passing  said  river 
from  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  into  the  State  of  Vermont 
& to  the  northerly  & north  westerly  settlements  therein  & to 
Canada — And  has  petitioned  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  to  grant  him  the  privilege  of  building  & tend- 
ing a bridge  at  said  place  for  reasonable  toll 

And  whereas  we  the  subscribers  are  of  opinion  that  this 
is  the  best  & easiest  place  of  any  betwixt  said  Towns  to  build 
a bridge  & the  place  where  it  is  most  likely  for  a bridge  to 
stand — & best  situated  to  serve  the  public — 

Therefore  We  are  desirous  of  becoming  adventurers  & un- 
dertakers in  promoting  a plan  so  beneficial  to  the  public  good 
& as  we  conceive,  advantagious  to  our  own  interest  And  do 
hereby  agree  & promise  severally  to  advance  & pay  towards 
building  a bridge  at  the  place  aforesaid  the  sums  annexed  to 
our  respective  names — upon  condition  that  the  said  Chamber- 
lin shall  obtain  such  grant,  & of  our  receiving  our  several  pro- 
portions of  the  profits  arising  therefrom,  agreeably  to  the  sums 
by  us  respectively  subscribed — Witness  our  hands — 

Dec*"  30^^  1794 — 

Moses  Dow  four  hundred  dollars 
Tho®  Johnson  three  hundred  dollars 
Ezekiel  Ladd  100  dollars 
Josiah  Little  100  dollars 
Nath'  Chamberlin  100  dollars 
Benjamin  Chamberlin  100  dollars 
John  Montgomery  100  dollars 
Samuel  Ladd — 50  dollars 
Stephen  Couch — 40  d° 

Martin  Phelps — 20  d° 


i86 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Pearson — 20  d° 

Joseph  Ladd — 20  d® 

Ezekiel  Ladd  jun’’ — 20  d® 

N.  B.  There  is  one  more  subscription  paper  in  Newbury 
which  could  not  be  procured,  on  account  of  the  river  being 
impassable  at  this  time — which  may  contain  as  large  a sum  as 
this,  tho  not  known — 

Copy  per  Moses  Dow 


[5-59]  [u4sa  Porter  for  a Ferry^^ 

Province  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Governor  & Com^ 
in  Chief  of  s*^  Province  in  Council — 

The  Petition  of  Asa  Porter  of  Haverhill  in  the  County  of 
Rockingham  Esq*"  humbly  sheweth — 

That  in  behalf  of  the  Towns  of  Haverhill  & Newbury  on 
Connecticut  River  He  would  represent  the  Necessity  of  an  es- 
tablish*^ Ferry  over  s*^  River  to  be  kept  at  a convenient  Place 
near  the  Center  of  the  afors^  Towns  to  accommodate  the  In- 
habitants and  many  Others  that  occasionally  travel  that  way, 
which  He  the  s^  Porter  would  willingly  undertake  to  do  having 
a large  Boat  well  suited  to  the  Purpose,  Therefore  prays  your 
Excellency  would  be  pleas^  to  favour  Him  with  a Grant  of 
such  a Ferry  to  be  established  at  certain  Rates  & with  a Privi- 
lege including  s*^  River  within  the  Compass  of  five  Miles  from 
the  Place  where  s*^  Ferry  shall  be  kept,  or  otherwise  under  such 
Limits  & Directions  as  to  your  Excellency  may  seem  meet — 
And  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Asa  Porter 


[5-60]  \^yoJm  Hurd  relative  to  Roads^ 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq’'  Captain  General, 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief — The  Honble  His  Majes- 
ty’s Council,  and  The  Honble  House  of  Representatives  in 
in  General  Assembly  convened — 

The  Memorial  of  John  Hurd  of  Haverhill  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  Esq’'  humbly  Sheweth — That  the  late  Act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  made  for  the  purpose  of  opening  a Road  thro’ 
the  new  settling  Towns  Westward,  to  Haverhill,  or  Coho’os, 


HAVERHILL. 


187 


on  Connecticut  River,  being  expired — but  a considerable  part 
of  the  said  Road  remaining  yet  unfinish’d,  and  that  thro’  the 
most  ditficult  & mountainous  Tracts  of  the  Country  to  the  great 
Detriment  & Discouragement  of  the  New  Settlers ; as  the 
Transportation  of  all  Their  necessary  Stores  thro’  this  Road  in 
its  present  Situation  is  not  only  very  expensive  but  dangerous 
for  Man  & Beast,  being  miry,  rooty,  rocky,  & narrow  with  bad 
pitches  in  many  places — And  whenever  it  may  be  necessary  for 
the  Honble  Judges  of  the  Superior  Court  to  attend  their  Busi- 
ness at  H averhill,  unless  something  is  speedily  done  upon  the 
Road,  will  render  their  Journey  very  tedious  & hazardous — • 
But  as  the  Expence  of  immediately  making  the  said  Road  good, 
& safely  passable,  will  be  a peculiar  Hardship  on  those  partic- 
ular Towns  lying  on  the  Highth  of  Land  in  their  now  infant 
State,  without  the  public  Aid,  tho’  if  once  completed  would  be 
greatly  advantageous  not  only  to  the  Upper  Settlements,  but  to 
this  lower  part  of  the  province  to  w*^''  all  their  spare  produce 
may  then  with  Ease  be  conveyed — Your  Memorialist  humbly 
prays  in  behalf  of  all  the  Settlers  on  that  part  of  Connecticut 
River,  & the  Towns  adiacent  — Your  Excellency  & Honors 
woLid  take  this  Matter  into  Consideration — that  the  aforesaid 
Act  may  be  revivd  with  the  addition  of  a New  Committee  to 
prosecute  the  Business,  and  such  Alteration  or  Amendment  & 
such  public  Assistance  as  to  your  Wisdom  may  seem  meet. 
And  Your  Memorialist  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c.  &c. 

John  Hurd 

Portsmouth  26^^  May  1774 — 


\_Representation  of  Services  dojie  by  the  Town  during" 
the  War,  and  its  Prese?tt  Condition,  iyg8.~\ 

To  the  Hon’ble  Senate  & Hon’ble  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  now  convened  at  Concord 

Humbly  shew  the  Subscribers 

That  in  the  year  James  Bayley,  Ephraim  Wesson, 

Charles  Johnston,  Joseph  Hutchins  Joshua  Howard  & Simeon 
Goodwin,  were  appointed  a Committee  of  safety  for  the  Town 
of  Haverhill, — In  which  year,  this  western  frontier,  was  much 
exposed  to  & in  eminent  danger  of  being  ravaged,  by  the  ene- 
mies from  Canada — Insomuch  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  town  removed,  to  more  safe  & central  parts  of  the  State — 
Those  that  stood  by  the  shipp  spent  a great  part  of  their  time, 
& considerable  part  of  their  property  in  building  forts,  that  is 


i88 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


four  large  ones  in  this  town,  supporting  & paying  guards,  & 
scouting  parties,  in  order  to  keep  up  a frontier  at  this  place — 
That  we  were  very  poorly  supplied  with  arms  & many  poor 
persons,  tho  perhaps  the  best  soldiers,  were  intirely  destitute — 
We  considered  the  cause  as  common  to  the  whole  Country,  & 
greatly  interesting  to  all,  & were  zealous  to  do  everything  in 
our  power  to  contribute  to  the  salvation  of  the  Community — 
Thus  circumstanced,  and  disposed,  we  in  our  said  capacity, 
employed  ISIajor  Jonathan  Hale,  then  a reputable  citizen  of  said 
Haverhill,  & in  behalf  of  said  Town — to  make  a tour  to  Exe- 
ter, where  the  Convention  or  supreme  Government  of  the  State 
or  Colony  were  then  in  Session,  and  make  application  for  pro- 
tection or  means,  to  help  us  to  defend  ourselves,  & contribute 
our  mite  in  holding  this  frontier  & aid  in  the  protection  of  the 
State — Maj*'  Hale  failed  in  procuring  the  arms  of  the  State  as 
we  wished  & expected — Yet  the  government,  advanced  to  him 
two  hundred  pounds  of  the  then  paper  money,  out  of  the  treas- 
ury, to  procure  arms  for  the  common  defence 

Accordingly  Major  Hale  after  receiving  said  money  traversed 
the  sea  coasts  as  far  as  Salem,  & round  the  adjacent  parts  of  the 
Country — & purchased  up  at  very  exorbitant  prices,  tho  doubt- 
less to  the  best  advantage  that  the  time  & circumstances  would 
admit.  Guns  & parts  of  Guns — such  as,  barrels,  locks  & stocks, 
in  detached  parts — & brought  to  Haverhill  & delivered  them  to 
said  Committee — & said  Committee,  gave  said  Hale  their  obli- 
gation for  said  Guns  &c  & for  his  cost  in  going  to  Exeter — get- 
ting said  money,  purchasing  said  Arms  & transporting  them 
here. 

The  Committee,  disposed  of  said  Guns,  to  poor  persons  who 
were  not  able  to  pay  for  them,' but  vet  perhaps  the  best  sol- 
diers, for  no  more  than  the  first  costs  paid  by  said  Hale.  & took 
their  obligations — Manv  of  which  obligations  if  ever  paid,  were 
not  paid  till  money  had  depreciated,  to  ten,  twenty  & perhaps 
forty  for  one — 

That  two  of  said  Committee  viz  Bayley  & Wesson  are 
removed,  at  a distance  out  of  this  State  & the  burden  may  fall 
upon  the  residue,  the  obligation  being  out  lawed  in  Vermont 
Your  petitioners  would  further  suggest,  that  they  are  inform- 
ed, that  sundry  towns,  who  were  favoured  with  money  out  of 
the  treasury  about  the  same  time  have  been  considerably  fav- 
oured, by  the  State  in  the  settlements  thereof — 

That  they  have  applied  to  & petitioned  the  States  Committee 
for  abatements  in  a settlement  thereof  but  said  Committee,  not 
feeling  themselves  authorz*^  for  that  purpose  recommended,  pe- 
titioning this  honourable  body — We  therefore,  pray  this  Hon’- 
ble  Court  to  take  our  case  under  their  candid  consideration  & 
grant  us  such  abatement,  or  deductions,  in  our  settlement  with 


HENNIKER. 


189 


said  Hale  or  his  settlement  with  the  State,  which  will  dispose 
him  to  settle  with  us  in  the  same  proportion,  as  reason  & 
justice  under  our  peculiar  situation  & circumstances,  in  your 
Honors  wisdom,  prudence  & benevolence  may  seem  reasonable 
& just — 

And  vour  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  pray  &c 

Haverhill 

Nov*'  22^  1798 


[5-63] 

[This  document  is  a plan  of  Connecticut  river,  and  the 
ferries  of  Johnson  and  Porter. — Ed.] 


Charles  Johnston 
Joseph  Hutchins 
Simeon  Goodwin 
Joshua  Howard 


HENNIKER. 

This  township  was  granted  by  the  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts in  December,  1735,  but  the  grant  was  not  located 
and  confirmed  until  1737.  It  was  called  No.  6 in  the  line 
of  towns,  and  sometimes  New  Marlborough,  many  of  the 
grantees  living  in  Marlborough,  Mass. 

On  a settlement  of  the  state  boundaries  in  1741,  the 
township  proving  to  be  in  New  Hampshire,  and  within  the 
limits  of  the  Masonian  Proprietors’  Purchase,  was  granted 
by  them  July  16,  1752,  to  Andrew  Todd  and  others,  mostly 
Londonderry  men.  It  was  incorporated  November  9,  1768, 
and  named  by  Governor  Wentworth  in  honor  of  John  Hen- 
niker,  of  London,  Eng. 

The  township  was  granted  six  miles  square,  and  I believe 
no  territory  has  been  severed  from  it  or  added  to  it  since. 


[5-65]  \_Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  to  have  the  Town  incor- 
porated^ iy68I\ 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq'  Captain  General  Gov- 
ernour  and  Commander  in  chief,  in  and  over  his  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New-Hampshire,  in  New-England ; And  To 
his  Majesty’s  Council  in  the  Province  aforesaid — 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


190 


The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Place  called  Num- 
ber Six  of  the  Line  of  Towns ; or  New  Marlborough,  in  the 
Province  aforesaid,  humbly  sheweth. 

That  whereas  your  humble  Petitioners,  whose  Names  are 
hereunto  subscribed,  find  our  selves  under  great  Inconvenien- 
cies  & Difficulties  for  want  of  the  Powers  and  Privileges  which 
incorporate  Towns  in  this  Province  enjoy  : And  We,  your 
humble  Petitioners  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  & your  Hon- 
ours to  take  our  Case  into  your  wise  & compassionate  Consid- 
eration ; and  if  you  think  it  proper  & necessary,  you  would  in- 
corporate into  a Town,  indued  with  the  Powers  & Privileges  of 
other  Towns  in  the  Province,  that  Tract  of  Land,  which  is  the 
sixth  in  Number  of  the  Line  of  Towns  which  was  first  laid  out 
by  Order  of  the  General  Court  of  the  Province  of  the  Massachu- 
setts-Bay. & granted  to  some  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Marlborough 
in  said  Province  : and  was  since  granted  by  the  Masonian  Pro- 
prietors to  some  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Londonderry,  in  this 
Province  of  New-Hampshire,  (Said  Tract  of  Land  lies  between 
Hopkinton  & Hillsborough,)  We  your  humble  Petitioners  hum- 
bly pray  that  your  Excellency  & your  Honours  would  incor- 
porate the  said  Tract  of  Land,  with  the  Inhabitants,  present  & 
future,  their  Polls  & Estates,  into  a Town,  included  within  the 
same  Bounds  and  Limits  wherein  it  was  included  when  it  was 
first  granted  by  the  General  Court  of  the  Massachusetts  Prov- 
ince : and  when  it  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  Proprietors 
(not  infringing,  or  hurting  any  private  Property)  : And  that 
your  Excellency,  & your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to  appoint,  & 
impower,  M^  Eliakim  How,  M*'  Ebenezer  Hawthorn,  and  m' 
Jonas  Bowman  ; (now  Inhabitants  of  said  Tract  of  Land  ;)  or 
any  others  whom  your  Excellency  & your  Honours  shall  think 
proper,  as  a Committee  to  call  the  first  Meeting  of  the  Free- 
holders, & Inhabitants  in  said  Town. 

For  which  Goodness,  your  humble  Petitioners,  for  your  Ex- 
cellency & your  Honours,  as  in  Duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray — 

Dated  at  N°  6,  or  New-Marlborough,  aforesaid,  the  fourteenth 

Day  of  March,  1768. 


William  Eastman 
Jephthah  Tyler 
Jacob  Whitcomb 
Hezekiah  Newton 
Amos  Goold 
Thomas  Pope 
Jesse  Ross 
william  Peters 
Ezekiel  Smith 


Ezekiel  Stone 
David  Willson 
Adonjiah  Tyler 
Eliakim  How 
Jonas  Bowman 
David  Pope 
William  Presbury 
David  m'^Killips 
Jo.seph  Williams 


Ebenezer  Hawthorn 
Silas  Barns 
Josiah  Ward 
James  Joslin 
William  Powers 
Timothy  Ross 
Joshua  Tyler 
John  Johnson 


HENNIKER. 


I9I 

[In  answer  to  the  foregoing  petition  the  town  was  incor- 
porated by  the  governor  and  council  November  9,  1768,  and 
named  Henniker  by  the  governor. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-73]  \_Heturn  of  Men  I'aised  for  the  Army^ 

Henniker  Sep*  y*  20  : 1776 

Col®  Stickney 

S'"  In  obedience  to  your  orders  I have  mustered  my  Com- 
pany and  Raised  five  men  for  this  Expedition  their  Names  are 
as  follows 

Samuel  Smith  Nahum  Newton  Joshua  Whitney 

Joseph  Patterson  Isaac  Patterson 

this  from  your  obedient  Servant 

Aaron  Adams  Capt 


[R.  2-74] 

To  Col®  Thomas  Stickney 

S^  the  Following  is  a list  of  men  Raised  by  the  Town  of  Hen- 
nicar  for  three  years  agreeable  to  your  order 

Jesse  Campbel  HennicaiA 

Daniel  Squire  Hennicar  > Cap*  Cloys  Company 
James  Peters  d®  J 

Joseph  Marsh  Hennicar  Cap*  Frys  Company 
Benj  Adrews  Hillsborough  Cap*  Adams  Company 

Jonas  Bowman  Cap* 


[R-  2-75] 

A True  State  of  the  Seventh  Company  and  Thirteenth  Rig* 
of  Foot  Commanded  By  Cap*  Jonas  Bowman 

Training  Band  No  75 

Laram  Men  No  25  totel  100 


Henniker  March  19**^  i777* 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


192 


[R.  2-76]  \_Roll  of  Capt.  Aaron  Adamses  Company^  ipj6J\ 


A list  of  Cap*  Adams’s  train^'  Soldiers 


Sarg*  Benj®^  Clark  Corp*  Joshua  Heath 

Sarg*  Jon'^  Basford  Corp*  Samuel  Steel 

Sarg*  Phinehas  Ward  Corp*  Tho®  Townsend 

Sarg*  Joseph  Paterson  Corp*  James  Stone 

Fifer  Joseph  Williams  Drum^  Josiah  Paterson 


Jonas  Alexander 
William  Chambers 
William  Clark 
James  Durston 
Samuel  Frisel 
Noah  Gile 
Otis  How 
Thomas  Howlet 
James  Joslin 
John  M'^Duffee 
Hezekiah  Newton 
Moses  Powell 
Jonathan  Ross 
Ezekiel  Smith 
Ezekiel  Stone 
Charles  Whitcomb 
Alexander  Whitney 


Jabez  Alexander 
Eliphalet  Colbey 
Solomon  Childs 
Jon'^  Eastman 
Isaac  Gates 
Joshua  Heath 
William  Heath 
Sargent  Heath 
Joseph  Lewis 
Nathaniel  Merril 
Nahum  Newton 
Isaac  Paterson 
Lemuel  Ross 
Moses  Smith 
Benoni  Tucker 
Ruben  Whitcomb 
Samuel  Wadsw^orth 


Abiather  Bowman 
Benj^  Currier 
Robert  Campbel 
Aaron  Eastman 
Timoth}'^  Gibson 
Moses  Huse 
John  Harthorn 
Joshua  Kimball 
Ephraim  Morrel 
Samuel  Morrison 
David  Pope 
Jesse  Ross 
Daniel  Rice 
Samuel  Smith 
Jacob  Whitcomb 
Josiah  Whitridge 


we  have  10  men  gone  in  the  Army 


mager  Chandler  S%  in  obedience  to  your  orders  I have 
warn’d  my  Company  to  Apear  on  ye  21  Instant  to  view  the  Cit- 
uation  of  the  Company,  but  the  more  part  did  not  Apear  but 
Acording  to  the  Best  Acompt  that  I can  give  Above  half  have 
No  arms 

Aaron  Adams  Cap* 


Henniker  May  the  21®*  177^ 

A Larm  list  for  said  Henniker 


Ecclesiastical  Clark  Jacob  Rice 
Cap*  Eliakim  How 
Ens”  William  Heath 
Esquire  Joseph  Kimball 


Leut  Jonas  Bowman 
Cap*  Josiah  Ward 
Coroner  Samuel  Kimball 


Thomas  Stone 
John  Putney 
Alexander  Paterson 
Uriah  Amesden 


Timothy  Ross 
Thomas  Pope 
Stephen  Spaldwin 
Francis  Withington 


James  Peters 
Elijah  Rice 
John  Eastman 
Dea  Eben’’  Harthan 


HENNIKER. 


193 


[R.  2-77]  \_yoseph  Patterson^  wounded  Soldier. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  Nov*'  13*^  i77^' 

The  Committee  on  the  Petitions  &c  of  wounded  soldiers  &c 
reported  their  opinion  that  Joseph  Paterson,  a soldier  in  Cap^ 
Emery’s  Company  in  CoP  Baldwin’s  Regiment  who  was  wound- 
ed at  White  plains  and  lost  sundry  articles  to  the  amount  of  five 
pounds  fourteen  shillings  be  allowed  & paid  the  said  sum  of  five 
pounds  fourteen  shillings,  which  is  submitted — 

signed  Niclfi  Gilman  for  the  committee 

[The  said  amount  was  allowed  and  paid.  It  has  been 
handed  down  in  the  family  that  Joseph  Patterson  was  on 
guard  at  the  time  of  attack  by  the  British  troops  at  White 
Plains,  October  28,  1776.  He  fired  an  alarm,  and  was  im- 
mediately shot,  the  ball  entering  back  of  the  ear,  and  pass- 
ing out  through  the  cheek.  He  fell,  and  was  for  some  time 
unconscious,  but  reviving  he  found  the  enemy  passing  over 
him.  Watching  his  opportunity,  he  rolled  under  a log,  and  re- 
mained apparently  dead  till  all  was  quiet.  He  then  succeed- 
ed in  getting  to  a house,  in  an  exhausted  condition,  found  the 
woman  friendly  to  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  and  was  cared 
for  by  her  for  some  weeks.  When  sufficiently  recovered,  he 
gave  the  woman  all  the  money  he  had,  and  started  on  foot 
for  New  Hampshire.  He  had  received  an  overcoat  from 
home  just  before  the  battle,  and  attempted  to  take  that  with 
him  ; but  one  day,  while  attempting  to  ford  a rapid  stream, 
the  coat  became  saturated  with  water,  and  being  too  weak 
to  stem  the  current  with  it  on,  he  was  obliged  to  take  it  off 
and  let  it  drift.  He  reached  home,  and  lived  to  tell  the  tale 
to  his  grandchildren,  to  one  of  whom,  Hon.  James  W.  Pat- 
terson, I am  indebted  for  the  foregoing. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-78]  ]^Abraham  Khnball.,  wounded  Soldier. 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  November  14,  1778,  Abraham  Kimball, 
a soldier  in  Cap*  Baileys  Company  CoP  Stickney’s  Regi- 
ment & General  Starks  Brigade  wounded  in  the  Battle  of 
Bennington  i6th  of  August  1777”  was  allowed  £^2^,  14,  6 
for  his  doctor’s  bills,  nursing,  etc.  It  was  also  voted  that 
he  was  entitled  to  half  pay  for  two  years,  from  September 
18,  1777.  Council  concurred. — Ed.] 

15 


194 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-79]  . [^Soldier's  Order ^ ^779-^ 

Henniker  Sepf  13*^  17S4 

Gilman  S’’  Be  Pleased  to  Pay  to  Robert  Wallace  or 
Bearer  all  My  Wages  Travel  Money  Deficiency  in  Cloathing, 
and  all  that  is  due  to  me  for  my  Serving  in  the  Continental 
Army  one  year  in  Co”  Reeds  Reg‘  in  Cap*  Rowels  Company 
which  time  Began  July  1779  and  this  Shall  Be  your  Discharge  : 
and  you  will  Much  [oblige] 

Witness  Present  your  Humble  Serv* 

Wi*”  Wallace  Simeon  pope 

William  Partrick 


[5-66]  \_Petition  for  the  Appointment  of  a Committee  to  lo- 
cate a Meeting- House^ 


To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representative  of  the 
State  of  newhampshire  now  Seting  at  Exeter  in  Said  State — 


we  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Henniker 
Humbly  Sheweth  whereas  we  are  about  Building  a Meeting 
house  in  Said  Town  and  are  So  unhappy  as  not  to  agree  upon 
the  Spot  where  to  Set  Said  house  although  we  have  had  Two 
Commitee  to  Perfix  the  Place  for  Said  house  and  they  reported 
to  Two  Different  Places  and  the  Distance  Between  the  Two 
Spots  is  about  one  hundred  and  forty  rods  where  four  we  Pray 
your  honnours  to  appoint  a Disinterested  Commetee  from  the 
Neighbouring  Towns  Consisting  of  three  men  to  View  the  Sit- 
uation of  the  Place  and  hear  the  Pleas  and  Determin  the  Spot 
where  Said  house  Shall  Be  Set  and  we  your  Petitioners  as  in 
Duty  Bound 

Henniker  September  y ii**’  1786 


Jonas  Bowman 
James  Wallace 
Joshua  Heath 
Nathan  Putney 
Michael  Archer 
Thomas  poop 
David  M'^Killips 
William  Sargent 
Joseph  Chadwick 
Francis  Withington 
Joshua  Wright 
John  Campbel 
Jesse  Campbell 


Thomas  willson 
Johnthing  Connor 
David  poop 
Isaac  Putney 
Stephen  Spelgren 
Samuel  Estman 
Oliver  Noyes 
David  Clough 
John  Chadwick 
Elias  Withington 
Samuel  Morison 
David  Morrell 
Benjamin  Currier 


William  Wallace 
Abiathar  Bowman 
John  Smith 
John  Putney 
Bengben  Clogh 
Joseph  Lewis 
John  Withington 
Samuel  Barr 
David  Chadwick 
Simion  Pope 
William  Morison 
Thomas  Stuart 
Benjamin  Hoyt 


HILL. 


195 


John  Campbell  Jun^  William  Patrick 
Thos  Townsend  Semieon  Simonds 

George  Hoyt  John  Smith  Jun 

Moses  Hoyt  Phinehas  ward 

Thomas  Howlett  Timothy  Ross 

Samuel  Dunalls  Josiah  ward 

Joseph  ward  Alexander  parker 


Nahum  Nuton 
Benjamin  Clark 
Jos  Marsh 
Oliver  Clough 
Jonathan  Ross 
Jesse  Ward 
Mather  withington 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  September  13,  1786,  a committee  was 
appointed,  consisting  of  the  following  men  : Major  Isaac 
Chandler  of  Hopkinton,  Ninian  Aiken,  Esq.,  of  Deering, 
and  Samuel  Caldwell  of  Weare.  Their  report  has  not  been 
found. — Ed.] 


The  township  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  Proprietors, 
September  14,  1753,  to  eighty-seven  proprietors,  mostly 
Chester  men,  and  went  by  the  name  of  New  Chester  until 
January  14,  1837.  In  1768,  settlements  were  made  by  Capt. 
Cutting  Favour  and  Carr  Huse.  The  latter  was  town-clerk 
for  thirty-three  years,  and  held  other  offices.  Several  other 
families  from  Chester  settled  the  same  year. 

The  town  was  incorporated  November  20,  1778,  in  answer 
to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants,  and  named  New  Chester 
at  their  request. 

The  town  being  about  nineteen  miles  long,  and  in  one 
place  not  more  than  one  mile  wide,  made  it  very  inconven- 
ient, and  it  was  divided  February  12,  1788,  the  north  part 
being  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Bridgewater. 

In  answer  to  a petition  from  the  selectmen,  an  act  was 
passed  by  the  legislature,  June  ii,  1808,  appointing  William 
Webster,  Bradstreet  Moody,  and  Enoch  Colby  “to  deter- 
mine the  jurisdictional  lines  between  the  Towns  of  New 
Chester,  Alexandria,  and  Danbury,”  and  report  to  the  legis- 
lature. 

By  an  act  approved  June  24,  1819,  all  that  part  of  the 
town  “which  lies  northerly  of  Smith’s  river”  was,  with  a 
portion  of  Bridgewater,  incorporated  into  a town  by  the 
name  of  Bristol. 


HILL. 


196 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


December  21,  1820,  the  town  was  enlarged  by  the  annex- 
ation of  a portion  of  Alexandria ; and  by  an  act  approved 
December  21,  1832,  a tract  of  land  was  severed  from  New 
Chester,  and  annexed  to  Wilmot. 

The  name  of  the  town  was  changed,  January  14,  1837,  to 
Hill,  in  honor  of  the  Hon.  Isaac  Hill,  who  was  at  that  time 
governor  of  the  state. 

The  town  lost  another  portion  of  territory  June  26,  1858, 
when  certain  lots  of  land  were  severed,  and  annexed  to  Dan- 
bury. 

The  town  was  in  Grafton  county  until  July  i,  1868,  at 
which  time  it  was  annexed  to  the  county  of  Merrimack. 


[5-67] 


\_Petition  to  be  Incorporated  into  two  Towns ^ zy/d.] 


To  The  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
The  Colony  of  Newhampshire 


The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of 
New  Chester  Wee  the  Inhabitants  of  N.  Chester  Do  Labour 
under  many  Grievances  and  disadvantages  for  want  of  an  In 
Corporation  whereby  wee  might  have  officers  Endowed  with 
Power  and  Authority  as  other  Towns  in  this  Colony  Do  En- 
joy We  therefore  Humbly  Pray  your  Honours  to  Grant  us  a 
Charter  of  In  Corporation — Investing  us  with  the  Powers  Priv- 
iledges  and  Authorities  as  other  Towns  within  this  Colony 
have  it  is  the  Desire  of  your  Humble  Petitioners  that  the 
Township  may  Be  In  Corporated  into  two  Distinct  Towns  if 
your  Honours  Please,  By  Reason  of  the  Township  Being  Very 
Long,  which  will  abundantly  Best  Accomodate  the  Inhabitants 
of  Town  Ship,  it  is  Desired  that  Towns  may  Be  Divided 
at  New  Found  River  So  Called  Allowing  the  upper  Town  to 
InClude  the  priviledges  for  mills  upon  S*^  River  within  the 
Limits  of  S*^  Town,  and  your  Humble  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 

N.  ChesP  Decemb’’  24^^  i77^ 


Jonathan  Crawford 
Josah  heath 
Thos  Crawford  Juffi 
John  Clark 
Cutting  favour 
Jonathan  Ingalls 
Joseph  Sanborn 
Jacob  wells 


Robert  Crawford 
Nason  Cass 
John  Mitchell 
gideon  Sleeper 
Reuben  Wells 
John  Smith 
Nathaniel  Sanborn 
John  Bussell 


Benj  M'^Allester 
Rob*^  Forsith 
Beniemin  Emery 
Carr  Huse 
David  Emerson 
Joshua  Tolford 
Tilton  Bennet 


HILL. 


197 


[5-6S]  \^Arms  and  Afnmunition  asked for^  777^5.] 


New  Chester  June  y®  ^77^ 


To  the  Honourable  Colony  Committe 

We  the  Subscribers  being  A Majority  of  the  Select  Men  and 
Comittee  of  Safety  for  the  Township  of  New  Chester  being 
willing  to  Defend  ourselves  and  fellow  Country  men  to  the 
Utmost  of  our  Power — But  finding  our  Selves  Destitute  in  A 
Gret  Measure  of  Arms  and  Amunition  Humbly  beg  You 
would  use  your  Interest  to  procure  About  56^^®  of  Powder  and 
112^^®  of  Lead  & about  150  Flints  and  Fifteen  Guns  which  we 
Bind  our  Selves  to  the  Honest  payment  of  as  Witness  our 
hands 


Abner  fellows 
Joshua  Tolford 
Thos.  Crawford 
Jonathan  Ingalls 
Cutting  favour 


for 

Committee 


Ebene’’  Ingalls  Select  Men 
Beniamin  Emons  Eor 
Carr  Huse  1 New  Chester 


[S“^9]  S^Petition  to  be  Incorporated^ 

To  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire — 

The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of 
New  Chester.  Wee  the  Inhabitants  of  S*^  Township  Do  La- 
bour under  Many  Grievances  and  Disadvantages  for  Want  of 
an  Incorporation  whereby  wee  might  have  officers  indowed 
with  Power  and  authority  and  that  wee  might  Lay  out  our 
highways  So  that  wee  Might  make  and  Repair  them  So  that 
travilers  might  Safely  travel,  or  pass  through  the  Town  Ship 
Saifly  for  want  of  which  wee  are  Sensible  Some  of  your  Hon- 
ours are  Sensible  of  and  many  more  Difficulties  which  wee 
Labour  under,  we  therefore  Humbly  Pray  your  Honours  to 
Grant  us  a Charter  of  Incorporation  Investing  us  with  the 
Powders  Priviledges  and  authorities  as  other  Towns  within  this 
State  Do  Injoy,  and  your  Humble  Petitioners  as  in  Duety  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Pray 

New  Chester  October  15*^  1778 

It  is  Desir^  that  the  Town  May  Be  Incorporated  By  the  name 
of  New  Chester 

Carr  Huse  Jacob  wells  Tilton  Bennet 

Cutting  favour  Abner  fellows  John  Emery 


198 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Chase  fuller 
Jonathan  Crawford 
thomas  Lock 
moses  Worthan 
Gideon  Sleeper 
John  Bussell 


Beniamin  Emons  Eben’’  Ingalls 

Simeon  Cross  Jesiah  heath 

Samuel  worthen  Jonathan  Ingalls 

Theophilus  Sanborn  Peter  Sleeper 
John  Cleaveland  John  Kidder 

Nathaniel  Sanborn 


[In  answer  to  the  foregoing,  the  town  was  incorporated 
by  the  legislature  Nov.  20,  1778. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-80]  [ Certificate  of  Soldiers  exempt  from  Poll-  PaxC^ 

Whereas  wee  have  Received  a Vote  of  the  Congress  which 
hath  excused  all  non  Commissioned  officers  and  Soldiers  who 
served  in  the  Continental  Army  and  shall  enlist  there  for  the 
year  Coming  from  paying  any  poll  Tax,  and  an  account  being 
exhibited  under  oath  by  the  Select  men  of  the  number  of  such 
Soldiers  in  their  Respective  Towns  and  the  amount  of  their 
poll  Tax  to  the  Colony  Treasurer,  in  obedience  thereto  we  have 
Return‘d  their  names  and  the  amount  of  their  poll  Tax. 


£.  s.  d.  q. 

Nathaniel  Bartlett 

O-2-4-3 

John  Crawford 

O-2-4-3 

Joseph  Davis 

O-2-4-3 

Totals 

T 

1 

1 

0 

Carr  Huse  ) Select  men 
Rob‘  forsith  j for  N.  Chester 


[R.  2-81]  \_The  Deposition  of  Capt.  Edijoard  Everett. 

I Edward  Everett  of  Rumney  in  the  County  of  Grafton  and 
State  of  Newhampshire  Gentleman  Testifyeth  and  saith  that 
Some  Time  in  the  Fall  of  the  year  177b  that  I heard  David 
Emerson  of  New  Chester  agree  with  a man  at  Mount  Independ- 
ent for  to  serve  in  the  Continental  Servis  during  the  war  for 
twenty  dollars  and  also  Saw  the  man  Sign  a Receipt  and  gave 
to  David  Emerson  which  Receipt  I witnessed  with  my  own 
hand  but  as  it  has  been  some  time  since  I have  forgot  the  Mans 
name  but  should  know  the  Receipt  if  I could  See  it  & further 
saith  not  Edward  Everett 

[Sworn  to  Oct.  13,  1781,  before  Carr  Huse. — Ed.] 


HILL. 


199 


1^5-yo]  [^David  Emerson  recommended  for  Coroner^  1^82. ~\ 

To  the  Honourable  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New- 

hampshire  now  Setting  at  Concord  in  Said  State — 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Us  whose  names  are  under  written 
think  it  very  necessary  that  there  Should  Be  a Coroner  in  the 
Town  of  New  Chester  as  the  Town  is  almost  twenty  miles  in 
Length  as  the  Road  Goes  through  the  Town  and  as  there  has 
Been  two  men  found  dead  within  said  town  within  Six  years 
and  no  Coroner  within  twenty  five  miles  of  them  wee  Recom- 
mend to  your  Honours  David  Emerson  Esq*"  of  New  Chester 
to  Be  a Suitable  Man  as  he  has  been  a Coroner  Some  years 
agoe  wee  pray  your  honours  would  Commission  him  therefor 
and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duety  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray. 

New  Chester  Sepi 

Eph"'  Webster 
Peter  Sleeper 
John  Cleaveland 
Eben®*'  Ingalls 
David  Stiles  Emery 
Jacob  pesLee 
Chase  fuller 
John  Sleeper 
thomas  Rowell 
John  Straw 


tember  10*^  1782 


Nathaniel  Sanborn 
Sherburne  Tilton 
Jonath  Ingals 
thomas  Lock 
Josiah  Heath 
John  heath 
Beniamin  Emery 
Amos  Steven 
tilton  Benet 


his 


Josesh  X Sanborn 

mark 

Gideon  Sleeper 
Jonath  Ingals  Juner 
John  Kidder 
Joseph  Emons 
Wiliam  Powell 
Oliver  smith  Blake 
Jacob  wells 
William  Benet 


[5-71]  \_Return  of  Nu77iber  of  Ratable  Polls^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

New  Chester  December  12^^  1783 

A Return  of  the  Number  of  Male  Polls  from  Twenty  one 
years  of  Age  & upwards  paying  for  themselves  within  the  Town 
of  New  Chester,  No  66 

Carr  Huse  ) Select  Men 
Peter  Sleeper  j For  N.  Chester 

Grafton  ss  Alexandria  Dec*"  12^^  1783 

Then  the  above  Named  Carr  Huse  Esq*"  and  Peter  Sleeper 
Select  Men  of  New  Chester  Made  Oath  to  the  Truth  of  the 
above  Return  By  them  Sign‘d  Before  me — 

Joshua  Tolford  Jus*  Peace 


200 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5“7^]  S^Defosition  of  Josef  h Emmons^ 

I Joseph  Emmons  of  Alexandria  in  the  County  of  Grafton 
and  State  of  New  Hampshire,  yeoman  Testifyeth  and  Saith 
that  sometime  in  the  fall  of  the  year  1776  soon  after  the  orders 
came  out  at  mount  Independent  for  men  to  Inlist  during  the 
war  I heard  Joshua  wilson  say  that  he  would  Inlist  and  do  a 
Turn  for  David  Emerson  of  New  Chester  during  the  war  for 
twenty  dollars  & the  s*^  Emerson  agreed  with  the  s*^  wilson  at 
mount  Independent  & the  s*^  Emerson  had  a Receipt  which 
he  shew  me  that  he  said  the  s^  wilson  gave  him  soon  afterwards 
and  further  saith  not 


alexandria  October  15^^  1781. 
Sworn  to  before 


Joseph  Emons 
Carr  Huse  Just  Peace. 


[5-73]  S^Petition  for  Aiithority  to  Tax  Non-Residents^ 

To  His  Excellency  the  President,  and  to  the  Honourable  the 

Senate  & House  of  Representatives  in  General  Assembly 

Conven‘d  at  Concord  Oct^  ^7^5 

Wee  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  Ches- 
ter Being  Desireous  of  Promoteing  the  Publick  Good  and  the 
Settlement  of  the  western  part  of  the  State  which  at  Present  is 
a great  part  of  it  Uncultivated  and  as  it  is  highly  Necessary  that 
good  Roads  Should  Be  Made  and  kept  in  Repair  in  order  that 
People  might  pass  and  Repass  From  one  part  of  the  State  to 
the  other  with  as  Little  Trouble  and  Difficulty  as  possible,  and 
the  Town  of  New  Chester  is  a very  Long  Town  it  is  Between 
nineteen  & twenty  miles  in  Length  as  the  Road  goes  Besides  a 
very  Bad  Mountain  which  Must  be  Cros*^  and  wee  have  Several 
Long  Bridges  Some  of  which  wee  have  Been  obliged  to  Build 
twice  in  a year  By  reason  of  Freshets,  in  Short  wee  have  up- 
wards of  Fifty  Miles  of  Roads  already  in  the  town  to  maintain, 
& But  Eighty  Six  polls  in  the  town  which  makes  it  Such  a Bur- 
den to  us  that  wee  are  not  able  to  Make  our  Roads  Good  with- 
out Some  help  therefore  wee  pray  your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours to  grant  the  Town  the  Liberty  to  Tax  the  Lands  of  the 
Nonresidents  Lying  in  the  Town  to  the  highways  in  Such  a 
way  and  Manner  as  your  Excellency  & Honours  in  your  wis- 
dom Shall  think  Best,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duety  Bound 
will  Ever  Pray 

New  Chester  SeptemU  1785 


HILL. 


201 


Benj“  Boardman 
Joseph  marshall 
Peter  heath 
Simeon  Cross 
Joseph  sanborn 
Joseph  Hoyt 
Winsor  Goolden 
Michael  Mosher 
Case  fuller 
John  Sleeper 
Carr  Huse 
Tilton  Bennet 
Josiah  heath 
John  Bussell 
Tho®  Crawford 
Jonathan  Crawford 
Peter  sleeper 


Elias  Bordman 
Seth  Spencer 
David  Craig 
Cutting  favour 
David  plum 
william  murray 
John  Cleaveland 
Thomas  Lock 
Jacob  Peaslee 
John  tilton 
David  Emerson 
EpD’^  Webster 
Jacob  wells 
Reuben  wells 
John  Smith 
Abner  fellows 
Sherburn  Sanborn 


John  Mitchel 
Josiah  Brown  Jr 
Alexander  Craig 
Jonathan  Merrill 
Nathan  Colby 
Jacob  Gurdy 
John  Cleaveland  Jun^ 
Daniel  Heath 
Shurburn  Tilton 

John 

willom  Benet 
Nathaniel  Sanborn 
Thomas  Rowell 
thomas  Wells 
Nason  Cass 
Moses  Sleeper 
Theophilus  Sanborn 


[5-74]  \_Petition  for  a Division  of  the  Town^  //c?/.] 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  Sennate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
said  State  to  be  convened  at  Charlestown  on  the  Second 
Wednesday  of  September  AD.  1787 — 

The  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Chester  in  said  State 
Humbly  Sheweth,  Wee  your  Petitioners  Labouring  under  many 
Difficulties  and  Disadvantages  in  our  present  Circumstances  by 
Reason  of  the  Town  Being  Exceeding  Long  and  in  one  place 
but  a very  little  more  than  one  mile  wide,  which  makes  it  very 
Difficult  for  the  Major  part  of  the  people  to  attend  Publick 
Worship  when  wee  have  preaching  in  the  Town,  and  like  wise 
to  Attend  Town  Meetings,  as  it  is  Commonly  bad — traviling 
when  wee  have  our  Annual  Meetings,  the  Town  is  more  than 
Nineteen  miles  in  Length.  Wee  your  Humble  Petitioners 
Earnestly  Request  that  your  Excellency  and  Honours  would 
Divide  the  Town  of  New  Chester  into  two  Towns,  and  that  it 
may  be  Divided  at  Newfound  River  So  Called  (Vz)  Beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  Newfound  River  and  running  up  said  river 
untill  it  comes  to  Newfound  pond,  then  running  on  the  easterly 
Shore  of  said  pond  untill  it  comes  to  the  Town  line  between 
New  Chester  and  Plymouth,  and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty 
Bound  will  ever  Pray 

New  Chester  August  ^7^7 


202 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Carr  Huse 
Reuben  Wells 
John  Bussell 
Nathan  Colby 
Peter  heath 
Jonathan  Ingalls  Jun 
Elias  Boardman 
Jona*^  Ingals 
Joseph  marshall 
Joseph  Emons 
Moses  Fellows 
Simeon  Cross 
Daniel  Heath 
James  heath 
Jonathan  heath 
David  powell 
Alexander  Craige 


Nathaniel  Sanborn 
Eph™  Webster 
Cutting  favour 
Michael  Mosher 
Thomas  Huse 
John  fellows 
Jonathan  Holt 
Josiah  Brown 
Jonathan  Carlton 
Ephraim  Clark 
John  Mitchel  Junr 
Ziba  Townsend 
Chase  Fullar 
John  Ladd 
Samuel  Drew 
David  Craig 
RoN  Craige 


David  Emerson 
Thomas  Rowell 
Joseph  Jonson 
Thomas  Lock 
Samuel  worthen 
Benj*^  Boardman 
John  Mitchel 
Jacob  Fellows 
Seth  Spencer 
Isaac  Senter 
Jonathan  Crawford 
Beniamin  Emons 
William  Powell 
Josiah  heath 
John  heath 
James  Craige 


[An  act  was  passed  Feb.  12,  1788,  incorporating  the 
north  part  into  a town  named  Bridgewater,  and  authorizing 
Thomas  Crawford  to  call  the  first  meeting. — Ed.] 


[5-75]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  tax  Non- Residents 
State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
convened  at  Portsmouth  the  Fourth  Wednesday  of  Decem- 
ber AD  1789. 

The  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  Ships  of  New 
Chester  and  Bridgwater  in  said  State  Humbly  Sheweth  that 
your  Petitioners  have  been  and  Still  are  at  great  Cost  to  clear 
and  Maintain  Highways  in  Said  Town  Ships  and  by  Reason 
of  great  Freshits  have  been  obliged  to  alter  Clear  and  Make 
new  Roads  in  Many  places  and  have  built  several  large 
Bridges  which  are  costly  to  Maintain  which  Makes  the  burden 
heavy  upon  us  as  our  number  of  Rateable  polls  is  but  Small, 
therefore  your  petitioners  humbly  pray  that  your  Honours 
would  grant  that  all  the  lands  in  said  Town  Ships  may  be  taxed 
one  penny  upon  an  Acre  Public  lots  Excepted  for  three  years 
next  Ensuing  for  the  purpose  of  Clearing  and  Repairing  high 
ways  in  Said  Town  Ships  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duety 
Bound  will  Ever  pray. 

New  Chester  December  16*^  17S9 


HILLSBOROUGH. 


203 


Theophilus  Sanborn  Reuben  Wells  Michael  Mosher 

Jonathan  Carlton  Thomas  Crawford 

Select  Men  For  and  in  Behalf  of  Said  Towns. 
[The  authority  asked  for  was  granted  Jan.  14,  1790. — Ed.] 


HILLSBOROUGH. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  province  bound- 
aries in  1741,  and  settlements  were  made  by  James  Mc- 
Calley,  Samuel  Gibson,  and  others,  under  this  grant,  but 
were  broken  up  and  deserted  through  fear  of  Indians. 

A settlement  of  the  province  boundaries  decided  the 
land  to  be  in  New  Hampshire,  and  being  within  the  limits 
of  the  Masonian  Proprietors’  Purchase,  it  was  granted  by 
them  to  Col.  John  Hill,  of  Boston,  and  derives  its  name 
from  him.  Hill  was  one  of  the  proprietors  under  the  Massa- 
chusetts grant.  The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council  Nov.  14,  1772,  to  contain  about  six  miles 
square  of  territory,  and  none  has  been  added  or  severed 
since  that  I am  aware  of.  Petition  for  incorporation  may 
be  found  in  Vol.  IX,  p.  380. 

Hon.  Franklin  Pierce,  president  of  the  United  States 
from  1852  to  1856,  was  a native  of  this  town,  where  he  was 
born  Nov.  23,  1804.  He  graduated  at  Bowdoin  college, 
1824,  was  a member  of  Congress  two  terms,  from  1833  to 
1837,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  United  State  senate. 


\_Hillsborough  Soldiers  in  Rhode  Island  Expeditions  ^77<^*] 
[Revolutionary  Papers,  p.  373. — Ed.] 

Hillsborough  Agust  8 1778 

By  orders  Esued  from  the  Commitey  of  Safety  of  this  State 
This  May  Sartify  that  we  the  Select  men  of  Hillsborough  have 
Dron  out  of  Archrball  Tagart  hand  Constabel  for  the  year  1777 
Eightty  Pounds  Lawfull  money  which  we  have  Paid  to  the 


204 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Volintears  which  Tornd  out  of  this  Town  for  the  Experdishon 
to  Proverdance  or  Rodisland 


Ten  Pounds  to  John  Graham  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Archibel  Tagart  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Will*"  Pope  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  William  Gammell,  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Alexinder  m'^Clintock  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Daniel  Gibson  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Samuel  Preston  io,o,o, 

Ten  Pounds  to  Solomon  Andrews  io,o,o, 


Atest 


80,0,0, 


Tim°  Bradford  | 
Samuel  Bradford  J 


Select  men 


[R.  2-82]  A List  of  Laram  Men  in  JLills^. 


the  R^  Jonathan  Barns 
CajD*  Joseph  Symonds 
Lieu*  Sam*  Bradford 
Decon  John  Meed 
M*'  Timothy  Wilkins 
M*'  Andrew  bixbe 
M*"  william  Jones 
M*"  George  Booth 
M”"  Will™  Hutcheson 


Cap*  Sam*  Bradford 
Leu*  Daniel  M^^Neal 
En®  Timothy  Bradford 
M*'  Nathaniel  Coledge 
M*"  William  Tagart 
M*"  Joshua  Estey 
M*"  Thomas  Murdough 
Joseph  Clark 


Mens  names  Belonging  to  the  training  Band  in  the  town  of 
Hillsborough  including  under  officers 


alexander  MClintock  John  MClintock 


Jonathan  Durant 
Daniel  Gibson 
William  Love 
Samuel  Merdough 
Nathaniel  Howard 
thomas  Murdougfh 
Jun' 


John  Gibson 
Lot  Jenison 
Jonathan  sargent 
william  Symonds 
Benjman  Ruff 
James  Gibson 
Nehemiah  wilkins 


Jedediah  prston 
Benjman  Lovjoy 
william  Booth 
Joseph  Gagart 


abel  wilkins 
Jonathan  Graham 
nathan  Taylor 


Andrew  Bixbe  Ju’' 
Elias  Cheney 


these  five  newly 
put  into  the  List 


Llonored  S*'  among  those  of  the  above  named  we  have  about 
twenty  Guns  and  sum  of  them  not  fit  to  go  into  the  war,  the 
best  of  our  Guns  are  gone  in  the  war  either  sold  or  our  men 


HILLSBOROUGH. 


205 


with  them.  I should  have  sent  your  Honner  a List  before  this 
time,  but  could  not  without  sending  on  purpose 

S'"  I am  your  Hon°  most  Hum^  Ser 

June  the  3*^  i77^  Isaac  Andrews 

To  Honored  CoL  Stickney  Living  in  Concord 


[R.  2-83]  \_Return  of  a Soldier^  z/yp.] 

Hillsborough  July  14^*^  ^779 

Persuant  to  orders  Rece*^  from  your  Hon.  I have  herewith 
ordered  William  Hutcheson  to  appear  at  Concord  in  order  for 
passing  muster — Beg  the  favor  he  may  Return  to  Hillsb*^  a few 
days  before  he  marches  for  Rhodisland  — These  from  your 
HumL  Se"^  Isaac  Andrews  Cap* 

To  The  Hon*  Tho®  Stickney  Coll,  at  Concord  in  New  Hamp- 
shire 


[R.  2-84]  \^Bounties  advanced  by  Towns^  77^2.] 

In  Committee  on  Claims,  Exeter  June  17,  1782. 

The  Bounties  and  Supplies  advanced  by  the  Town  of  Tem- 
ple amount  to  Two  Hundred  & Fifty  one  pounds  two  shillings 
and  ten  pence — and  the  Bounties  advanced  by  Hillsborough 
amount  to  Fifty  Three  Pounds  eight  shillings — and  the  Boun- 
ties & supplies  advanced  by  Peterborough  amount  to  Ninety 
six  Pounds  eight  shillings  and  seven  pence  good  money  which 
sums  have  been  deducted  from  the  soldiers  depreciation 

Ex'*  Per  Josiah  Gilman  Jun*' 

The  Bounty  advanced  by  Packersfield  [Nelson]  to  Bunker 
Clark  which  was  deducted  from  his  depreciation  amounts  to 
Eighteen  Pounds  twelve  shillings  good  money 

Ex'*  Per  Josiah  Gilman  JuiP 


[R.  2-85]  \_Lieut.  Samuel  Bradford' s Petition^ 

[In  a petition  dated  Jan.  2,  1781,  Samuel  Bradford  states 
that  he  “engaged  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  Nov’^  I77^  a Lieutenant  in  the  Second  New 
Hampsh*'  Regiment  and  continued  in  said  Service  until  the 


206 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


13*^  of  Sept^’  1778.”  Being  sick  at  that  time  he  received  a 
furlough  from  Gen.  Poor,  and  did  not  again  enter  the  ser- 
vice. He  was  in  Capt.  Claye’s  company  in  1777.  When  the 
regiments  were  reorganized  he  was  left  out  on  account  of 
his  disability. — Ed.] 


[5-76]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  tax  Non-Residents^  77^0.] 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  State  in 

general  Court  Conveaned 


May  it  Please  your  Honors  we  the  Subscribers  freeholders 
in  the  town  of  Hillsborough  in  S^  State  Beg  Leave  to  Petitions 
that  whereas  the  Late  John  Hill  Esq*"  Boston  who  was  Sole 
Proprietor  in  this  town  Did  Before  the  Commencement  of  the 
present  war  Promies  to  give  one  hundred  Acres  of  Land  to- 
wards Buildings  a Bridge  over  Connecticut  River  So  Called  in 
this  town  which  Bridge  we  should  have  Built  foore  or  five 
years  a goe  had  it  not  Ben  for  this  unhappy  War  but  at  Last 
we  have  Compleated  s^  Bredg  and  the  Shairs  of  the  s*^  Jho“ 
Hill  Es*"  Have  Ben  Solisted  to  Make  good  there  father  Promies 
but  refuses  we  therefore  humbly  petition  that  yoore  Honnours 
would  order  a tax  to  be  Leved  on  the  Non  Risidents  Land  ly- 
ing in  town  to  dyfree  the  Chrges  of  building  s'^  Bridge  as  we 
Labour  under  heavy  Burdens  in  town  and  s*^  Bridge  will  be  of 
grate  Sarvis  not  ondly  to  this  town  but  also  to  the  Publick  as 
s'^  Bridge  cost  us  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  three  poond 
as  Money  was  Last  October  and  if  yoore  honours  shall  in  yoore 
wisdom  Se  fit  to  grant  this,  our  Petition  we  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Pray 

Hillisborough  the  Eighth  Day  of  May  Anoq  DoD  1780 


Samuel  Bradford  jur 
w™  taggart 
Calven  Stevens 
David  wright 
Nathaniel  Haywood 
James  Dutton 
Benj*”  Jones 
thadeus  monroe 
John  Mead 
Lot  Jeneson 
Jesse  Rolf 
Jonathen  Durant 


Zebediah  Johnson 
archibald  taggart 
George  Willy 
Isaac  Andres 
Sam^  Jones 
Isaac  Andrews  Jun*" 
John  Duton 
John  Shed 
timothy  Bradford 
Daneeil  Rolf 
William  Booth 
Andrew  Wilkins 


Jacob  flint 
Joseph  taggart 
Samu*  Bradford 
william  Pope 
James  Jones 
William  Jones 
Benjamin  Dutton 
Nemiah  wilkins 
William  Grout 
Smith  Robertson 
Jonathan  Sargant 
George  Booth 


HILLSBOROUGH. 


207 


Joshua  Easty 
James  taggatnt 
Joseph  Symonds 
Daniel  Gibson 
John  m^Calley 
Andrew  Bixbe 
Alexander  m^clintok 


Benjamin  Kimball  william  taggart  Jun’^ 
William  Gammett  Nathanell  Colledge 
Samuel  Symonds  Robert  Taggard 
tristram  Cheney  John  Cheney 
William  Hutchinson  John  Gibson 
John  m‘^Clary  W*"  Jones  Junr 

John  m^^Clintok  Fortunatus  Wheeler 


[5-77]  \_Relative  to  drawing  Town  Lots^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  honorable  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  now 

sitting  at  Portsmouth  within  & for  the  said  state  of  New 

Hampshire 

Humbly  Shew  the  Subscribers  that  at  the  time  of  settleing 
the  Town  of  Hillsborough  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  & 
State  afores'^  many  of  your  petitioners  received  Deeds  from  John 
Hill  Late  of  Boston  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  & Commonwealth 
of  Mass^  Esq''  Deces*^  of  Lots  of  Land  in  the  first  Division  in 
said  Town  & after  settleing  the  Lots  in  the  first  Division,  Drew 
by  virtue  of  said  Deeds  which  also  conveyed  them  an  undivided 
Share  in  the  residue  of  said  Town  other  Lots  in  the  Second 
Division  annexed  to  their  first  Number,  & that  those  of  your 
petition  who  did  not  purchase  from  said  Hill  purchased  from 
others  who  held  under  him  as  afors'^  That  on  the  Severance  of 
the  Second  Division  as  afores*^  a plan  was  made  of  said  Divi- 
sions, & Entries  made  by  said  Hill  of  the  Numbers  Drawn  to 
each  original  Lot  & the  persons  Interested  Entered  into  the 
same  have  cultivated  improved  & they  & those  who  purchased 
from  them  have  held  & possessed  the  same  severally  to  this 
Day  agreably  to  the  Division  plans  & Drawing  afores*^  that  the 
said  Hill  at  the  time  possessed  himself  of  the  plan  & minutes 
afores'^  & held  the  same  in  his  possession  untill  his  Death  & 
from  his  Decease  the  same  have  come  to  the  hands  & possession 
of  his  heirs  & Executors  who  have  Suppressed  the  Same  & now 
claims  the  Lands  against  your  petitioners  who  have  nothing  but 
oral  Testimony  to  prove  the  Severance  aforesaid  or  to  Secure 
to  them  the  fruits  of  their  Labor  for  many  years  past  expended 
upon  their  several  possessions  wherefore  they  most  Humbly 
pray  that  on  their  producing  to  your  honour  clear  and  indis- 
putable proof  of  the  facts  aforesaid  that  your  honors  will  by  an 
Act  Establish  the  aforesaid  Severance  & Secure  to  them  their 
possessions  or  give  them  such  other  relief  as  to  your  honors  in 
your  great  wisdom  Shall  appear  Just  & Equitable 


208 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Robert  m*=Cluer  John  M^'Calley  John  Gibson 

James  m'^Calley  Andrew  Bixbe  James  Taggart 

William  Pope 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  17,  1785,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[5-7S]  \_Relative  to  Date  of  Annual  Meetings 


State  of  Newhampshire 

To  the  HoiP^®  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
assembly  Convened  at  Concord  the  third  Wednesday  of  octob’’ 
Anno  Domini  1785 

The  Petition  of  the  select  men  & other  inhabitance  of  the 
Town  of  Hillsborough  in  the  County  of  Hillsboro^  and  state  of 
New  Hampshire  aforesaid — 

Humbly  sheweth  that  our  annual  meeting  being  held  on  the 
Last  thursday  of  march  Discommods  us  sum  Times  it  happens 
to  be  on  the  Last  Day  of  march  the  Town  officers  not  being 
sworn  on  that  Day  we  are  obliged  to  adiourn  our  annual  meeting 
into  april ; which  is  attended  with  much  Difficulty  on  acc*  of 
taking  our  invoice  early  in  the  month  of  april  and  by  Reason 
of  many  Conveyances  being  made  between  the  first  Day  of 
april  and  the  time  of  taking  the  invoice  it  is  Defec‘  matter  to 
take  the  invoice  so  that  Every  person  my  have  Justice. 

Your  Petition  therefore  pray  that  our  annual  meeting  may  be 
held  on  the  first  monday  of  march  annually  for  the  future  insted 
of  the  Last  thursday 

and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c — 
October  20*^  17S5 

Isaac  Andrews  | Select  men 
John  Dutton  > of 

Wm.  Taggartjuner  j Hillsborough 


Jedidiah  Preston 
William  Taggart 
John  mead 
David  Wright 
William  Booth 
Joseph  Symonds 
Benjamin  Dutton 
Jonathan  Danforth 
Daniel  Killam 
Paul  Cooledge 


William  Pai'ker 
Eliphalet  Bradford 
Andrew  Bixbe 
Jonathan  Sargent 
Daniel  Rolf 
Samuel  Bradford 
David  Marshall 
Benj*'  Gould 
Ephraim  Train 
William  Jones 


Benj®  Kimball 
John  Hartwell 
Otis  How 
Gorge  Booth 
Joshoa  Estey 
James  Dutton 
Uriah  Cooledge 
Samuel  Danforth 
James  mcCalley 
James  Jones 


HILLSBOROUGH. 


209 


Elijah  Beard 
William  Little 
John  Shed 
William  Hutchinson 
Timothy  Gray 
William  Symonds 


Isaac  Andrews 
Calvin  Stevens 
John  mcNeall 
Samuel  Symonds 
Solomon  Andrews 
Nath'^  Symonds 


Perkins  Andrews 
Nehemiah  Wilkins 
Moses  Steel 
William  Love 
John  gibson 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Oct.  31,  1785,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[5“79]  \_Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Hillsborough  Decem*"  the  i7^3 

We  find  by  Estimation  Ninety  Eight  Male  poles  upwards  of 
twenty  one  years  of  age  paying  Taxes  in  s*^  Town 

John  Dutton  ) Select 

Isaac  Andrews  Jun'' ) Men 

Hillsborough  ss  December  the  16^^  ^7^3 

Then  the  above  Named  John  Dutton  & Isaac  Andrews  Jun^ 
Each  personally  Appeared  and  made  solemn  oath  they  had 
taken  the  N°  of  the  male  poles  in  the  above  s*^  town  Before  Me 

Isaac  Andr®  Jus  peace 


[5-81]  [^Petition  for  Authority  to  tax  Non-Residents^  776*5.] 

To  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire the  HoiP^®  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Assembly  Convened  at  Concord  the  third  Wednes- 
day of  October  Anno  Domini  1785 — 

The  petition  of  the  Select  men  & other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Hillsborough,  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  and 
State  of  New  Hampshire  aforesaid 

Humbly  sheweth  that  the  Land  in  said  Town  is  very  rocky 
and  that  the  Inhabitants  have  been  at  Great  Expence,  in  mak- 
ing, mending  and  making  passable  the  highways  therein,  and 
Also  by  means  of  a Number  of  Large  bridges,  which  they  were 
obliged  to  build,  and  Maintain  over  Contucook  River,  the 
Charges  of  said  roads  & bridges  have  become  Excessively 
heavy  and  burdensome — 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  pray  that  a tax  of  one  penny  per 

16 


210 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


acre  may  be  Laid  upon  all  the  Lands  in  said  Town  to  be 
appropriated  for  the  sole  purpose,  of  making  repairing,  and 
maintaining  said  roads  and  bridges,  or  that  your  Excellency 
and  your  honours  would  in  your  Great  wisdom,  be  pleased  to 
Grant  them  such  other  relief  as  you  shall  think  fit  and  your 
petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c. 


Isaac  Andrews 
John  Dutton 
W*"  Taggart  Juner 


October  20*^  1785 


Eliphalet  Bradford 
Jonathan  Danforth 
Daniel  Killam 
Paul  Cooledge 
David  Wright 
Daniel  Rolf 
Benj^^  Kimball 
Samuel  Bradford 
David  Marshall 
Jedidiah  Preston 
Elijah  Beard 
William  Little 
John  Shed 
William  Hutchinson 
Timothy  Gray 
William  Symonds 


John  Hartwell 
Benj^  gould 
Ephr™  Train 
Andrew  Bixbe 
Gorge  Booth 
Joshua  Estey 
William  Taggart 
James  Dutton 
Uriah  Cooledge 
William  Jones 
Isaac  Andrews 
Calvin  Stevens 
John  mcNeall 
Samuel  Symonds 
Solomon  Andrews 
NatU^  Symonds 


Select  men 
of 

Hillsb*^ 

John  mead 
Samuel  Danforth 
James  m'^Calley 
Otis  How 
William  Booth 
William  Parker 
Joseph  Symonds 
Benjamin  Dutton 
Jonathan  Sargent 
James  Jones 
Perkins  Andrews 
Nehemiah  Wilkins 
Moses  Steel 
William  Love 
John  gibson 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  28,  1786,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[5-83]  \_Relative  to  Robert  Tinney^  Soldier. 

To  the  Hon^^®  Sennate  and  hon'^^®  house  of  Representatives 
in  General  Assembly  Conveined  for  the  State  of  New  Hamp 
the  3*^  Wednesday  of  octo*'  Instant  at  Concord  in  s*^  State 

The  Petetion  of  the  Select  men  of  Hillsborough  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Hillsborough  and  other  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town 
Humbly  shews — That  the  Select"  for  s'^  Town  in  the  year  1781, 
by  the  names  of  Samuel  Bradford  and  John  M®Calley  Signed 
a note  of  hand  bearing  date  March  y®  14^**  1781  thereby  prom- 
ising to  pay  one  John  M®Clintock  or  order  one  hundred  and 
ninety  two  Bushells  of  Good  Merchantable  Indian  Corn  or  as 
much  money  as  will  purchase  it,  at  or  before  the  fourteenth  day 
or  March  then  next  with  Interest  till  paid  &c — That  the  above 


HILLSBOROUGH. 


21 1 


note  was  Given  to  the  Said  M'^Clintock  for  the  hire  of  a Certain 
Robert  Tinney  who  the  said  ^VRClintock  had  procured  to  enlist 
into  the  Continatal  Army  said  Year  as  a man  for  the  said  Town 
of  Hillsborrough  — That  notwithstanding  the  Said  Note  was 
given  to  the  s^  ]VTClintock  as  hire  for  said  Soldier  he  the  said 
Soldier  immediately  after  his  Muster  Diserted  and  Never  Joined 
the  Army  at  all  and  your  petitioners  Vehemintly  Suspect  that 
this  Disertion  was  advised  and  Countinanced  by  the  s^  M^Clin- 
tock  That  the  Town  of  Hillsborrough  were  so  Well  Satisfyed 
that  the  said  ]\TClintock  was  not  entitled  by  either  Law  or 
Equity  to  the  corn  or  money  promised  by  the  s^  note  that  they 
universally  discountinanced  the  paymint  thereof  and  suffered  a 
suit  to  be  brought  against  the  Signers  of  the  said  Note  intend- 
ing to  dispute  the  same  before  the  Superior  Court  of  this  State 
but  by  the  inattention  of  one  of  the  Signers  to  the  said  Note 
when  the  tryal  came  on  before  the  inferior  Court  for  the  County 
of  Hillsborough  which  was  held  at  Amherst  the  4*^  day  of  Aug^ 
1782 — a Default  issued  and  Judgment  Entered  against  the  Per- 
sons who  Signed  the  said  note  for  the  sum  of  47,,  16,,  8*^  Dam- 
age and  3,,  13.,  8*^  Cost  of  Court  as  appears  of  Record — Both 
which  Sums  has  since  been  paid  to  the  said  John  ]\PClintock 
by  the  said  Town  of  Hillsborrough  notwithstanding  the  s^ 
Tinney  never  Served  in  the  Army  one  day  in  Consequence  of 
this  Hire — 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  your  Honers 
will  Order  the  said  M'^Clintock  to  return  the  said  money  he  has 
received  as  afores*^  or  Order  a New  Tryal  in  such  a way  and 
manner  as  the  nature  of  the  said  Contract  made  with  the  s^ 
M^^Clintock  may  be  enquired  into  by  some  Court  proper  to  Try 
the  same  that  Justice  may  be  done  in  the  premises — or  in  any 
way  that  shall  Seem  to  your  ExcelP  and  honers — 

and  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray  &c 

Dated  at  Hillsbourough  Octo^  20*^  ^7^5 

Isaac  Andrews  ^ 

John  Dutton  v Selectmen 

W™  Taggart  June*”  J 


Andrew  Bixbe 
William  Parker 
Samuel  Danforth 
Nehemiah  Wilkins 
W illiam  Love 
John  gibson 
Joseph  Symonds 
Benj®  Dutton 
Jonathan  Sargent 


Otis  How 
Benj*  Kimball 
Daniel  Killom 
John  Shed 
Timothv  Grav 
W^illiam  Symonds 
Samuel  Bradford 
David  Marshall 
Gorge  Booth 


David  Wright 
Jonathan  Danforth 
Calvin  Stevens 
John  m'^Neall 
Solomon  Andrews 
Nath^^  Symonds 
James  Dutton 
Uriah  Cooledge 
William  Booth 


212 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Daniel  Rolf 
William  Taggart 
John  mead 
James  m'^Calley 
James  Jones 
Perkins  Andrews 
William  Hutchins 


Joshua  Estey 
Eliphalet  Bradford 
Benj^  gould 
Paul  Cooledge 
Elijah  Beard 
William  Little 
Samuel  Symonds 


Jedidiah  Preston 
John  Hartwell 
Ephraim  Train 
William  Jones 
Isaac  Andrews 
Moses  Steel 


[5-84]  [^Relative  to  Incorporating  a Town  Library^  1797 •\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
general  Court  convened  at  Portsmouth  November  1797 

Humbly  sheweth  Benjamin  Peirce  Joseph  Symonds  Isaac 
Andrews  Jonathan  Barnes  Calvin  Stevens  and  others  their 
Associates  have  purchased  a number  of  books  for  the  purpose 
of  Establishing  a Social  Library  in  the  Town  of  Hillsborough, 
but  finding  it  necessary  to  be  Incorporated  in  Order  to  realize 
the  advantage  Anticipated,  by  purchasing  books  in  common, 
therefore  pray  that  they  may  be  Incorporated  with  such  privi- 
ledges,  as  are  usually  granted  in  such  cases  and  they  as  in  duty 
bound  will  pray 

Benjamin  Pierce* 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  Dec.  6,  1797. — Ed.] 


HINSDALE. 

Previous  to  the  settlement  of  the  divisional  line  between 
the  provinces  of  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts  in 
1741,  a large  portion  of  the  territory  now  comprising  this 
town  and  a portion  of  what  is  now  Winchester  belonged 
to  Northfield,  Mass.  Settlements  had  been  made  here  by 
authority  of  a grant  from  the  government  of  that  province, 
and  a fort  had  been  built  by  Col.  Ebenezer  Hindsdale  on 
the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river  a little  north  of  the  old 
line  of  Northfield,  as  shown  on  an  ancient  plan  which Js  No. 
842  in  the  volume  from  which  the  following  papers  are 
copied.  Fort  Dummer  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 


[*Hon.  Benjamin  Pierce  was  born  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Dec.  25,  1757.  He  was  a sol- 
dier in  the  Revolutionary  war;  sheriff  from  1807  to  1814,  and  from  1819  to  1827  ; repre.sent- 
ative  eleven  years,  and  for  six  years  a member  of  the  council.  He  was  elected  governor  of 
the  state  in  1827,  and  again  in  1829.  He  was  the  father  of  Franklin  Pierce,  president  of  the 
United  States  from  1852  to  1856.  He  died  April  i,  1839. — Ed.] 


HINSDALE. 


213 


river,  a short  distance  above  the  mouth  of  Venters  brook, 
and  was  built  by  Hon.  William  Dummer,  Anthony  Stod- 
dard, William  Brattle,  and  John  White,  of  Boston,  who 
owned  by  purchase  the  tract  of  land  west  of  the  river 
known  as  the  “ Equivalent  Lands.”  It  was  named  for  Mr. 
Dummer,  as  was  also  the  town  of  Dummerston,  Vt. 

The  inhabitants  and  others  petitioned  the  government  of 
New  Hampshire  for  a grant  of  the  township,  and  were 
favored  with  one  dated  Sept.  3,  1753,  which  covered  all  the 
territory  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river  now  in  the 
town  of  Vernon,  Vt.,  in  addition  to  what  is  now  Hinsdale, 
except  the  north  part  east  of  the  river,  which  was  contained 
in  the  grant  of  Winchester,  made  July  2,  1753,  and  by  which 
the  north  part  of  Winchester  extended  to  Connecticut  river. 
On  the  26th  of  September  of  the  same  year.  Gov.  Went- 
worth, with  advice  of  the  council,  decided  and  declared  that 
the  east  line  of  Hinsdale,  instead  of  running  no  further  north 
than  the  old  north  line  of  Northfield,  should  run  through 
to  Chesterfield,  thus  taking  a considerable  portion  of  land 
that  had  been  granted  to  Winchester,  but  leaving  the  latter 
a more  compact  township. 

The  name  of  the  town  is  derived  from  Col.  Ebenezer 
Hindsdale  and  is  so  spelled  in  the  charter,  and  in  many 
other  documents  prior  to  1800.  So  far  as  I have  seen,  the 
colonel  always  wrote  his  name  as  above,  and  it  is  so  written 
in  most  of  the  original  manuscripts  of  the  documents  pub- 
lished in  Vol.  IX.  The  petition  for  the  charter  may  be 
found  on  page  382  of  that  volume. 

On  the  formation  of  the  state  of  Vermont  the  town  lost 
about  one  half  its  territory  : with  that  exception  I believe  no 
change  has  been  made  in  its  boundaries  since  Sept.  26,  1753. 


[5“S5]  [ Col.  Josiah  Willai'dl  s Account  fo7'  Supplies  furnish- 
ed Soldiers.,  7750.] 

Fort  Dumer  July  y®  6**'  1750 

John  Gofte  Esq*"  Cap‘  W*”  Shackford  Richard  Downing  Jon® 
Tilton  & ZacE  Tole  D’'  to  Col°  Josiah  Willard — 


To  Pork  a iH  p*"  a 4.  12.  7 

To  Beaf  13^^  a 9^  p*"  a o.  9.  9 

To  Cheas  22'^^  a 9 p*"  a o.  16.  6 

To  Bread  71^^^  a 6^^  p^  a i.  15.  6 

To  Beanes  one  Peek  a o.  2.  o 


214 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


To  Meal  i Peek  a 
To  w Rum  6 galP  a lo®  gal  a 
To  Sug*"  2^^  a 1® : 6*^  p*"  a 
Boarding  12  men  3 Days  a 2®  6^  p*^  Day 
D°  9 men  1 Day  a 
To  Cash  Paid  Cap*  Fairbanks  moore  Lieu*  Volintine 
Butler  Sl  William  Willard  for  Boating 
To  Cash  Paid  David  Farnsworth 
To  Cash  Paid  James  Johnson 
To  Pastering  7 horses  14  Days  a 6^  p’'  Day 


o.  I.  3 
3.  o.  o 

0.  3.  o 

5.  12.  6 
2.  5.  o 

2.  10.  O 

1.  0.0 

2.  9.  O 


24.  17.  I 


Total 

Josiah  Willard 


[5-86]  [ Col.  Ebenezer  Hinsdale^ s Bill.,  ^755 


o.  o 


o.  o 


Province  of  J to  Ebenez*"  Hindsdales  and  others 
New  Hampshire)  D*"  1755 

1755  — June  7*^  To  a man  & Horse  Riding  Post  to  Fort 
Dum’'  & So  to  Charlestown  to  Notify  y®  People  of  the  misheif 
Done  by  the  Indians  at  Hoosock  L^io.  o.  o 

June  12**^  to  a man  & Horse  from  Deerf*^  to  No-  ) 
tify  the  Frontiers  of  the  mischief  Done  by  the  Ind-  > JGio. 
ians  at  Charlymont  j 

To  an  Express  of  2 men  to  N°  4 to  Notify  of  a > 
body  of  Indians  Descending  on  our  Frontiers  ) 

June  27  to  an  Express  to  Charlestown  &c  to  No-  ^ 
tify  of  a body  of  Indians  Killing  & Captivating  3 > £6.  o.  o 
families  near  Hindsdales  Fort  • 

( Not  allow^)  July  17  To  Ten  Hoi'ses  i Night  64/,  \ 

62  meals  for  y®  men  that  Come  to  bury  y®  Dead  & > £17.  10.  o 
Follow  y®  Enemy  j 

July  27  to  an  Express  from  Maj  Bellowses  of 
2 men  to  y®  great  meadow  Charlestown  & Keen  to 
Notify  of  2 men  Killed  near  His  Garrison 

July  22*^  to  a man  & Horse  to  Deerfield  when  the 
men  were  Killed  & Taken  at  Hindsdales  Garrison  ! n . 
in  order  to  get  men  to  go  out  & bury  y®  Dead  and  | 
pursue  y®  Enemy  J 

to  be  paid  ) To  the  Entertainment  of  31  i 

by  y®  Com*®®  of  war  > men  & their  Horses  who  1 
£19.  10  j come  to  bury  Ordeway  and  ' 
pursue  the  Enemy 
to  a Winding  Sheat  for  Said  Ordeway 


£6. 


o.  o 


o.  o 


10.  o 


£4* 


o.  o 


HINSDALE. 


215 


To  the  Hire  of  a Horse  from  Winchester  to  Ports- 
mouth for  Timo*^  Wells  a Soldier  Caring  the  No- 
tice of  the  above  mischeif  to  His  ExcelP 

July  27  To  an  Express  from  Maj*'  Bellowses  to 
y®  great  meadow^  to  Notify  of  y®  Enemies  attacking 
Maj’’  Bellows  & men  & besetting  m*'  Killbourns 
House 


I £7.  10.  o 

'' 

^ £1.  10.  o 


Total  Old  Ten*-  £88.  o.  o 

Left  to  be  paid  for 
Expresses  £51  Old  Tenor 

To  His  ExcelP  Gov'  Wentworth  with  the  Honourable  His 
majestys  Councill  or  y®  Honr'’’®  the  Committe  of  warr. 

May  It  please  Your  ExcelP  & Honr® : The  above  acc*®  are 
Justly  Charged  & as  it  would  be  a great  Hardship  for  me  or  y® 
particular  persons  who  have  been  Sent  on  Such  Emergencies 
Should  bear  the  Expence  I Intreat  It  may  be  allowed  & paid  to 
Maj'  Bellows  or  whom  you  may  order  for  y®  Severall  persons  to 
whom  it  belongs 

from  your  ExcelP®  & Hon'®  most  Dutifull  & 

obedient  Serv* 

Ebenez'  Hindsdale 

Hindsdale  Dec'  26*^  ^755 
In  Councill  Jan'^  15*^  ^755 

The  foregoing  Acco*  Examined  by  the  Council  who  are  of 
opinion  that  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Pounds  fifteen  Shillings  N 
Ten'  be  allowed  in  full  of  the  Sundry  Charges  for  Expresses  the 
other  articles  not  being  Directed  to  them  are  not  Considered  in 
the  said  allowance 

Theod'  Atkinson  Sec*^ 


[S”^7]  \_Relative  to  Du7nmer^ s Akrry.] 

To  the  Honourable  Members  of  the  general  Cort  Now  Set- 
ting in  the  State  of  N : Hampshire  whereas  we  the  Subscribers 
have  been  Informed  that  there  hath  Been  astrife  Between  one 
Allen  willard  And  one  James  Hubbard  Each  One  of  them  hav- 
ing Exhibited  a Pertion  to  the  Board  of  this  State  Requesting 
the  Privaledge  of  having  the  Bennefit  of  the  Ferra  Commonly 
nown  by  the  Name  of  Dummers  Ferra  Now  as  to  the  matter  of 
M'  Allen  Willard  having  the  farra  Stated  to  him  as  his  Situation 
is  Very  Rermoat  in  Deed  we  Vie  we  it  much  Contry  to  Right 
And  good  Reason  the  above  s'^  James  Hubbard  having  for  this 


2i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


four  years  and  Above  owned  the  Land  that  Must  Necesarly  Im- 
proved by  all  that  Cross  the  River  at  that  Place  for  s*^  Hubbard 
Bought  the  Land  of  M*'  Henry  Gibbs  of  Old  Salem  and  hath  a 
warrantee  Deed  and  all  the  Privaladge  that  apertaine  thareunto 
And  as  to  the  Land  that  s*^  Hubbard  Bought  is  not  Seficant  to 
Seport  a famualy  on  But  Varry  Conveanant  for  a farra  man, 
and  we  do  Challang  of  Proffit  belongs  to  the  Town  of  Hinds- 
dale  as  the  Line  Between  N Hampshire  and  York  was  Precise- 
ly afixed  to  the  west  Banks  of  Connectacut  River  Now  the  s*^ 
Hubbard  is  Allowed  to  be  a man  of  good  general  Character 
aud  wold  be  Likely  to  Indulge  Passengers  Even  to  his  Best 
Abilety  & we  the  Subscribers  Bag  the  favour  that  Even  for  the 
good  of  the  Publick  that  the  s'^  James  Hubbard  might  be  a 
Pointed  & Improved  as  a farra  man 

& we  understand  that  if  Allen  Willard  gits  the  farra  that  it  is 
to  be  Kept  on  the  west  Side  of  the  River  by  another  man 


Daniel  Shattuck 
Benj  Stone 
Ebenezer  Soule 
William  Lyon 
David  Bishop 
Samuel  Batchelder 
John  Streeter 
Elijah  Barret 
Nathan  Thomas 
Gideon  Shattuck 
Henley  Ward 


Oliver  Doolittle 
Elihu  Stebbins 
Elijah  Cooper 
Isaac  Barret 
Makpeac  Shattuck 
Samuel  Thomas  Ju 
Ivory  Soule 
Philips  Barret 
William  Davenport 
Israel  Thomas 
Isaac  morgan 


Eldad  Wright 
Amasa  Burt 
Aaron  Blanchard 
Edward  Morgan 
Cyprian  Peirce 
Hezekiah  Elmer 
Asa  Philips 
Silas  Barret 
often  Burnam 
Billey  Burnham 
daniel  thomas 


[5-88]  \^Relative  to  Abatement  of  Taxes ^ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
and  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court  Assembled  at 
Exeter  on  the  day  of  October  i779* — 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hindsdale  in  the  County  of 
Cheshire  humbly  Shew.  That  in  the  Year  1778  Your  petition- 
ers prefer’d  a memorial  to  the  General  Court,  Setting  forth  That 
The  Inhabitants  of  said  Hindsdale  were  taxed  more  than  Their 
Just  and  Equitable  proportion  to  the  State  tax  for  the  Years 
1777  & 177^^  ^rnd  pray’d  an  abatement  thereof,  in  Consequence 
of  said  memorial  the  Honorable  Court  did  take  the  Case  of  your 
petitioners  into  Consideration  and  did  order  that  an  Inventory 
of  all  the  Polls  and  Rateable  Estate  in  said  Town  (the  Common 
& undivided  Land  excepted)  be  taken  & return’d  into  the  Sec- 
retarys  Oftice  within  three  months  in  which  Case  your  petition- 


HINSDALE. 


217 


er  should' have  an  Allowance  in  the  next  years  Tax,  and  that  in 
Consequence  of  said  Order  the  Selectmen  of  said  Hindsdale  did 
make  an  Inventory  agreable  to  the  directions  of  the  General 
Court,  and  as  your  Petitioners  had  no  Representative  in  this 
Honora'^’®  Court  except  Coll  Ashley  One  of  the  Council  for  said 
County,  said  Inventory  was  Committed  to  his  Care  to  be  deliv- 
ered agreable  to  the  directions  of  the  General  Court,  but  your 
Petitioners  finding  no  Relief  in  their  assessment  for  the  present 
year,  immagine  that  the  Case  of  your  Petitioners  was  pass‘d  over 
in  Silence.  Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  That  this 
Honorable  Court  woud  take  their  Case  into  Consideration  and 
Grant  them  such  Relief  as  in  Your  Great  Wisdom  shall  seem 
Meet,  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Aaron  Cooper  ) Selectmen 

Micah  Rockwood  f of  Hindsdale 


[5-89]  \_Relative  to  Verfuont  Cont?'ove?'sy^ 


New  hapshir.  To  the  Honorable  the  Commitee  of  the  State 


We  the  Subscribers  Plolding  our  selves  as  good  subjects  of 
the  State  of  New  Hapshire  are  Now  purplexed  and  vexed  : a 
number  of  Designing  men  as  we  apprehend  who  with  a Dissign 
to  Distroy  the  quiet  & peace  not  only  of  this  town  but  in  all  the 
towns  in  the  New  hampshire  grants  on  the  East  of  the  River 
have  got  commissioned  by  the  Govenor  of  the  State  of  Vermont, 
both  in  the  civil  and  military  order,  and  Now  Require  of  us  the 
most  strictest  obedience  which  if  we  Refuse  we  are  punished  & 
Delt  with  according  to  thir  Laws  whos  juriousdiction  and  au- 
thority we  Deney  and  Humbly  pray  for  your  Protection  and  as- 
sistence  in  Defending  our  Selves — 

Hensedal  July  y®  13  1781 


Oliver  Doolittle 
Daniel  Shattuck 
gershem  Densmere 
Joshua  Frost 
Uriel  Evans 
Amasa  Burt 
Cyrus  Shattuck 
Silas  Barret 
Gideon  Shattuck 
Aaron  Wri  ght 
Ivory  Soule 
John  Peacock 


ZeplP  Richmond 
William  flagg 
Ephraim  Eaton 
John  Evans 
Remembrance  Wright 
Natlf  Sanger 
Eldad  Evans 
Makpeace  Shattuck 

his 

John  X Flagg 

mark 

Oliver  Smith 
David  Bishop 


James  Peacock 
Baz^  Grandey 
Elisha  Belding 
Nathaniel  Collens 
Asa  Flagg 
Isaac  Barret 
Philip  Barret 
Jonathan  Barret 
Darius  wright 
Jedediah  Smith 


2I8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-90]  \^Petition  for  a Grant  of  a Ferry ^ ^7^5^ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  the  Honorable  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court  convened. 

Humbly  shews  your  respectful  Petitioner  the  Subscriber,  that 
over  ConnecticLitt  River  in  the  Town  of  Hinsdale  at  a place 
known  by  the  name  of  Fort  Dummer  there  has  been  a ferry 
way  much  improved  for  a long  time — 

That  the  same  has  been  supplied  with  boats  and  attended 
upon  by  the  late  father  of  your  petitioner  and  others  of  the  said 
family  for  the  space  of  fourscore  years — 

That  the  land  on  both  sides  of  the  river  belongs  to  the  heirs 
of  his  said  father — that  one  of  the  heirs  at  present  waits  at  the 
same  ferry,  and  has  convenient  boats  for  the  conveyance  over  of 
passengers  & their  Cattle  & Carriages  of  all  kinds.  The  prayer 
of  your  petitioner  therefore  is,  that  he  may  have  a grant  of  the 
exclusive  right  to  said  ferry  way  upon  such  terms  and  under 
such  restrictions  as  to  your  Excellency  and  Honors  shall  seem 
expedient.  And  your  petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray 

Allin  Willard 

Octo''  ye  12,  1785 

Hindsdale  May  io‘^  17S6. 

We  the  subscribers  having  been  served  with  the  Petition  and 
order  of  Court  pray  that  your  Honours  would  grant  the  Peti- 
tioner his  Prayer  And  would  Inform  your  Honours  the  Road  to 
& from  said  Ferrie  is  layed  out,  on  land  of  the  Heirs  of  Capt. 
Nathan  Willard  dec^ 

Micah  Rockwood  ) Select  Men 
Hollis  Taylor  ) of  Hindsdale 


[5“9^3  \_Fel<^tive  to  aforesaid  Ferry ^ iy86.'\ 

We  the  Subscribers  being  applied  to  by  James  Hubbard  with 
an  Instrument  of  Writeing  Signifying  the  Necessaty  of  a Ferries 
being  keep  in  the  Town  of  Hindsdale  on  the  East  side  of  the 
River  Opposite  Dummer  Landing — And  that  he  might  have  the 
Benefit  thereof,  and  that  we  would  Signify  our  approbation  to 
the  Same,  Accordingly  there  was  a Town  Meeting  Called  by 
the  desire  of  Hubbard, — And  it  was  the  Opinion  of  the 

Town,  And  allmost  an  Unanimous  Vote,  that  as  the  Heirs  of 
the  Willard  Family  own’d  Land  on  Both  sides  of  the  River,  & 
Cap*  Nathan  Willard  Dec^  had  keep  the  Ferrie  for  a great  Num- 
ber of  years, — that  his  Son  Allyn  should  have  the  Preheminence, 
We  are  therefore  of  the  Opinion  of  the  Major  part  of  the  Town, 


HINSDALE. 


219 


& we  do  hereby  Revoke  and  Disannul  our  Names  being  to  s^ 
Hubbards  Instrument,  and  we  do  Annex  the  same  to  Allyn 
Willards  Petition, — For  the  foregoing  Reasons  And  for  s*^  Hub- 
bards giveing  us  a Rong  Representation  of  the  same. 

David  Lyon 

Hindsdale  Jan^  25*^  1786  Cyrus  Shattuck 

Eldad  Evans 


f Selectmen 
r of  Hindsdale. 


[5—93]  [^Ano^Aer  Petition  relative  to  samei^ 


Hinsdale  Jan^  12**^  1786 

We  the  Subscribers  Select  Men  & Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Hindsdale,  having  taken  the  above  Petition  into  Mature  Con- 
sideration,— and  as  the  Heirs  of  Cap*  Nathan  Willard  own  Land 
on  both  sides  of  the  River, — We  strongly  Recommend  it  to 
your  Honours,  that  he  may  have  an  exclusive  right  to  the  Fer- 
rie,  in  s*^  Town  of  Hindsdale  on  the  east  side  of  the  River,  it 
being  in  the  County  of  Chesshire  and  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire,— and  Opposite  the  old  Landing  known  by  the  name  of 
Dummer  Landing  in  the  town  of  Brattleborough  and  that  said 
Allyn  Willard  may  be  Established  in  the  same  & enjoy  the 
Benefit  thereof 

Yours  &c  &c 


Cyrus  Shattuck 
Eldad  Evans 
David  Lyon 
Abner  Comins 
gershem  Desmore 
Ephraim  Eaton 
Seth  Bishop 
Aaron  Wright 
Hollis  Taylor 
Jedediah  Smith 
Thos  Beebe 
Joshua  Frost 
Uriel  Evans 


Select 
men  of 
Hinsdale 

Jonathan  Wright 
Aaron  Cooper 
Benia*"  Sanger 
Oz®  Elmer 
Drius  Wright 
John  Medcalf 
John  Peacock 
Timothy  Beebe 
Nathan  Willard 
Jon“  Carver 


Daniel  Jones 
John  Gardiner 
Isaac  Crain 
Thomas  Rockwood 
Jesse  Hill 
John  Evens 
Hezekiah  Elmer 
Thomas  Taylor 
NatU'  Sanger 
Tilley  Wilder 
Luther  Winslow 
W*"  Smith 


[5”94]  {^Deposition  of  Josiah  Wheeler^ 

Cheshire  ss  Hindsdale  April  y®  19***  17S6 

The  Deposition  of  Josiah  Wheeler  of  Hindsdale  afore®*^  of 
Lawfull  age  who  Testifys  and  says  that  sometime  about  the  first 
of  January  Last  Past  I the  Deponent  being  in  Company  with 
Chearles  Evans  he  presented  a certain  Paper  to  me  the  Depo- 


220 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


nent  to  sign  in  faviour  of  Alain  Willard  of  Hindsdale  that 
he  the  alain  mite  have  the  Priviledge  of  the  fearry  acrost 
Conecticut  River  at  a Place  called  Dummer  in  sd  Hindsdale  ; I 
told  him  I should  not ; he  the  s*^  Evans  then  told  the  Deponent 
that  I had  better  ; for  s*^  he  you  will  want  to  cross  often  and  you 
hant  always  money  Implying  as  I understood  that  If  I would 
not  sign  said  Paper  I should  not  be  carried  acrost  s*^  farry  with- 
out the  money  in  hand  ; thereby  attempting  to  force  me  to  sign 
s*^  Paper  and  farther  invited  me  to  go  to  town-meeting  and  take 
a Drink  with  him  and  further  the  Deponent  saith  Not 

Josiah  Wheeler 

At  the  same  time  and  Place  I Edward  morgan  of  Hindsdale 
of  Lawfull  age  testifies  and  says  that  on  or  about  the  fifth  day 
of  January  last  past  being  in  Town-meeting  in  s*^  Hindsdale  I 
saw  considerable  of  cherry  Rum  handed  about  to  be  Drank  in 
the  meeting  House  in  s*^  Hindsdale  and  Drank  of  the  same 
myself  and  farther  the  Deponent  saith  Not 

Edward  Morgan 

Cheshire  ss  : April  y®  19*'"  1786  then  the  above  said  Josiah 
Wheeler  and  Edward  Morgan  signers  to  the  above  Decla- 
ration personally  appear’d  and  after  due  caution  and  carefull 
Examination  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  Dec- 
larations by  them  severally  Signed  and  subscribed 

Coram  Michael  Cresey  Just : Peace 

[5-95]  \^Deposition  of  Nathaniel  St  earns. 

Cheshire  ss  : Hindsdale  April  y®  19^*^  1786 

The  Deposition  of  Nathanel  Stearns  of  s*^  Hindsdale  of  Law- 
full  age  who  Deposeth  and  saith  that  he  the  Deponent  being  in 
Company  with  Alain  willard  of  Hindsdale  afore®*^  att  s*^  Hinds- 
dale about  the  first  of  January  last  past ; and  discoursing  with 
him  the  s*^  Willard  about  the  ferry  at  a place  called  Dummer  in 
s'*  Hindsdale  which  ferry  he  the  s'*  willard  and  James  Hubbard 
of  s'*  Hindsdale  both  Claims  the  Previledge  of ; and  there  being 
then  a town  meeting  of  s'*  Hindsdale  warn'*  to  Know  the  minds 
of  s'*  town  concerning  the  s'*  Dispute  ; the  said  Willard  then 
and  there  desired  me  the  Deponent  as  I was  soon  going  toward 
the  lower  end  of  s'*  town  to  Inform  sundry  Persons  that  if  they 
would  come  to  s'*  meeting  and  vote  in  faviour  of  him  the  s'* 
willard  he  would  give  them  as  much  Groge  as  they  could  drink 
and  further  the  Deponent  saith  not 


Nathaniel  Stearns 


HINSDALE. 


221 


Cheshire  ss : April  y®  19^^  1786;  then  the  above  Named 
Nathaniel  Stearns  signer  to  the  above  Declaration  personally 
appear‘d  and  after  due  Caution  and  carefull  Examination  made 
solum  oath  to  the  truth  the  above  Declaration  by  him  sub- 
cribed — 

Coram  Michael  Cresey  Just  Peace 


[5“97]  antes  Hubbard  for  a Ferry  ^ 1^/86. 

The  State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hon’^^®  John  Langdon  Esq*"  President  of  said  State : The 
honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  assembled. 

The  petition  of  James  Hubbard  of  Hinsdale  in  the  County 
of  Cheshire  in  said  State  Yeoman: 

Humbly  sheweth  : That  there  being  great  need  of  a stated 
Ferry  over  Connecticut  River,  in  said  Hinsdale  against  where 
the  Fort  called  Dummer  formerly  stood  ; as  there  is  much  travel 
with  Teams  Horses  Carriages  &c — And  as  said  Ferry  has  not 
been  properly  provided  with  Boats,  to  carry  over  loaded  Teams 
by  which  means  mens  lives  and  properties,  have  been  much 
exposed,  and  some  have  sustained,  great  damage  and  loss. 
And  whereas,  your  Petitioner  owns  the  Land  on  east  side  of  the 
River,  at  the  Landing ; and  has  a Dwelling  House,  about  eight 
Rods  distant  therefrom,  which  is  the  only  house  within  half 
a Mile  on  this  side  of  the  River  ; and  will  enter  into  sufficient 
Bonds,  obliging  hemself,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever ; to  pro- 
vide and  keep  suitable  Boats  ; and  give  proper  attendance  at  all 
Times,  to  transport  over  said  Ferry,  subject  to  such  regulations 
as  the  Honourable  Court  shall  order : provided  the  exclusive 
priviledge,  of  keeping  said  Ferry,  at  the  Place  where  it  now  is, 
and  one  mile  and  a half  up  the  said  River  ; and  three  Miles 
down  ; may  be  granted  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever. 

Your  Petitioner  therefore  humbly  prays,  the  Honourable 
Court,  to  take  the  matter  into  their  wise  consideration  ; and 
grant  the  exclusive  priviledge  of  keeping  the  said  Ferry,  to 
your  Petitioner  and  his  Heirs  forever  ; or  otherwise  order,  as 
you  in  your  Wisdom  shall  think  proper  ; and  your  Petitioner 
as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
Hinsdale  January  the  2*^  17S6 

James  Hubbard 


[The  ferry  was  granted  to  Willard,  June,  1786. — Ed.] 


222 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5“9^]  S^Petition  for  a Magistrate^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  ) 

Cheshire  County  j Hindsdale  Ocf  y®  I3*^  17S9 

To  His  Excellency  John  Sullivan  Esq*"  Captain  jeneral  & Com- 
mander in  Chief  in  and  over  the  Province  of  New  hamp- 
shire — 

We  your  Informers  Humbly  Beg  leave  to  shew  that  the  Town 
of  Hindsdale  is  Now  Destitute  of  any  justice  of  the  Peace 
within  s*^  Town  which  is  much  to  the  Damage  of  the  same  we 
therefore  with  advise  of  others  Do  Recommend  m’’  uriel  Evans 
for  that  Purpose  ; we  therefore  Pray  your  Excellency  to  Qualify 
& Commission  the  said  mr  uriel  Evans  for  a justice  of  the 
Peace  for  said  Town  of  Hindsdale  and  we  Shall  Greatly  Ac- 
knowledge your  Excellencyes  favour  for  the  same 

Nathaniel  Stearns  ) Selectmen 
Samuel  Robbins  j for  Hindsdale 


[5-99]  S^Petition  for  Authority  to  send  a Representativey 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hindsdale 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  & house  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  conven‘d 

Whereas  in  & by  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire it  is  Requir‘d  that  a Town  shall  have  One  Hundred  & 
Fifty  Rateable  Polls  of  Twenty  One  years  of  age  and  upwards 
to  be  Intitled  to  the  Previledge  of  a Representative  Whereas 
the  Town  of  Hindsdale  has  not  the  Number  requir‘d  and  Cannot 
with  any  Convenience  be  Clast  with  any  other  Town  parish  or 
place  and  we  your  Petitioners  conceive  that  we  Labour  under 
many  Disadvantages  for  the  want  of  the  previledge  of  a Rep- 
resentative to  many  to  be  innumerated  in  this  Petition  and  we 
the  Selectmen  of  Hindsdale  by  order  of  the  Majority  votes  of  s*^ 
Town  to  Petition  the  General  Court  Above  Mention*^  that  Said 
Hindsdale  may  have  the  previledge  of  a Representative  in  s*^ 
Court  we  the  Subscribers  humbly  request  that  the  previledge 
may  be  granted  to  the  s*^  Town  of  Hindsdale  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray 

Hindsdale  May  30^^  ^793 

Cyrus  Shattuck  1 Selectmen 
Uriel  Evans  >-  for 
Perley  Marsh  ) Hindsdale 


HINSDALE. 


223 


[5-100]  \_Petition  for  the  Privilege  of  a Lottery^  77^5.] 


To  the  Honorable  General  Court  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire 

convened  at  Hanover  June  i795 — 

we  your  Petitioners  the  Inhabitants  of  Winchester  Hindsdale 
and  others  humbly  sheweth  that  your  Petitioners  as  well  as  the 
Publick  at  large  suffer  great  Inconvenancy  for  want  of  a good 
Publick  Road  leading  from  the  Furnace  in  Said  Winchester  on 
the  North  Side  of  Ashewillet  River  till  it  strikes  the  grate  Road 
at  or  near  Whelers  mills  in  Said  Hindsdale  that  leads  from 
Northfield  to  Chesterfield  allso  another  Road  Begening  about 
one  Mile  East  of  Said  Whelers  Mills  on  the  first  Mentioned 
Road  and  runing  a Northerly  course  till  it  Strikes  Said  Chester- 
field Road  Sixty  or  Eighty  Rods  Southerly  of  M*'  Daniel  Fish- 
ers House  allso  to  make  Two  stone  butments  two  stone -pillors 
for  string  peaces  to  lye  on  for  the  Bridge  over  Ashewillet  River 
nere  Said  P'urnace  and  whareas  between  three  and  four  miles  of 
Said  Intended  Road  there  is  no  Inhabetants  live  and  by  reason 
of  Hills  and  Brooks  there  will  be  much  diging  and  Bridging  to 
be  don  on  Said  Road  which  will  make  it  very  Expencesive  al- 
tho  when  don  will  be  of  grate  utility  to  the  Publick  as  well  as 
Individles  by  shortning  a grate  Roade  four  or  five  miles  leading 
from  the  Country  to  the  seport  Towns  and  whare  as  it  is  Too 
Havy  a Burthen  on  the  Inhabitants  living  near  Said  Road  to 
make  it  passable  for  Teams  — in  this  Situation  we  cheerfully 

Bring  forward  this  our  Petition  Looking  up  to  your  Honours  as 
the  gardiens  of  the  People,  that  you  will  take  our  Case  into 
your  Wise  Consideration  & grant  us  a Lottery  to  raise  fifteen 
Hundred  Dollars  for  the  purpose  of  making  Said  Roads  & 
Bridges  with  the  other  Expence  & as  the  major  part  of  the 
Tickets  will  be  sold  out  of  this  State  this  with  the  grate  advan- 
tage which  will  arise  to  the  Publick  frome  the  object  we  make 
no  Doubt  your  Honours  Will  Grant  our  Request  and  as  in 
Duty  bound  Will  Ever  pray — 


Thomas  Gould 
Reuben  Alexander  J 
Ezra  Parker  Jim’’ 
Ephraim  Hawkins 
Sam**  Warren 
Noah  Pratt 
Nathan  Pratt 
Justus  Jewell 
Moses  Chamberlain 
Charles  Conant 
Jacob  Rich 
Asa  Conant 


William  Humphn 
Stephen  Hawkins 
Asa  Alexander 
Ezra  Healy 
Richard  Gale 
Henry  Pratt 
Samuel  Hill 
Asa  Allexander 
Josiah  Ward 
Emery  Gale 
Robart  Flemin 
Enoch  Robbins 


Elisha  Knapp 
Nathan  Parker 
Abel  Oldham 
Thadd  : Bancroft 
Paul  Richardson 
Daniel  Severance 
Abel  Hammond 
Ebenezer  Bancraft 
Asa  Bancroft 
Joseph  Williams 
William  Bencraft 
John  Erskine 


224 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Jones 
Abraham  Scott 
Philip  Goss  Jr 
William  Gould 
JoiP  Howard 
Josiah  Wheeler 
John  Barret 
Thomas  Butler 
William  Howe 
Lemuel  Whitney 
Rob*  R Field 
Thomas  W : Daven- 
port 

Cyprian  Pearce 
Samuel  Orvis 
Erastus  Sargent 
Nathaniel  Sanger  Jr 
Daniel  Fisher 
Elihu  Stebbens 
Dan*  Healy 
Daniel  Hawkinsjun' 
Levi  Ripley 
Henry  Foster 
David  Hammond 
John  Everden 
John  Follet 
Henry  Thayer 
Joseph  Allen 
Hezekiah  Willis 
Ezra  Parker 
Amasa  Houghton 
Elijah  Butler 


Benj“  Conant 
Jesse  Scott 
James  Scott 
Henry  Ashley 
Elijah  Cooper 
Stephen  Coye 
Joshua  Frost 
David  Wolley 
William  Reed 
Gard*"  Chandler 
Eben*"  Hoyt  • 
Edward  Morgan 
Elisha  Pierce 
Jonathan  Burt 
Allyn  Willard 
John  Evens 
John  Badger 
Abraham  wheeler 
Eleazer  Lawrence  J’’ 
Eleazer  Ripley 
Jacob  Fisk 
Nath  Bartlett 
Abiel  Naramore 
John  Alexander 
Jeremiah  Pratt 
Ebenezer  Kelmarn 
Samuel  wood 
Samuel  Healy 
Eben*"  Scott  J*" 

Jesse  Spaulding 
Ezra  Conant 
Daniel  Ashley 


Philip  Goss 
Curtis  Gould 
John  Alexander 
Cyrus  Shattuck 
Vine  Coye 
John  Barret  Jun*^ 
Nathan  Thomas 
Sam*  Wellman 
Elisha  Briggs 
Benj^  Doolittle 
Wm.  Paterson 
David  Joy  Jr. 
Thomas  Sargeant 
Daniel  Thomas 
William  Fisher 
Edward  Gustine 
Eleazor  Lawrence 
George  Farrington 
William  Ripley 
Daniel  wise 
Tho’s  Curtis 
James  foster 
Lemuel  Taylor 
Tertius  Lyman 
Ziba  Ware 
Theodosius  Moore 
Nehemiah  Healy 
Lewis  Wotkins 
Reuben  Alexander 
Benjamin  Linkfield 


[5-101] 

To  the  Hon  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  New  Hampshire  in  Gen*  Court  convened 

The  Petion  of  Nathan  Willard  of  Hinsdale  in  the  County  of 
Cheshire  & State  afors**  humbly  shews 

that  whereas  there  is  a certain  small  Island  situated  in  Con- 
necticut River  within  the  Township  of  Hinsdale  called  Gravil 
Island  unlocated  and  which  never  has  been  claimed  as  the  prop- 
erty of  any  person  or  Persons  known  to  your  Petioner  and  the 
s'*  Isleand  (tho  of  small  value)  would  greatly  benefit  the  s'*  Na- 
than Willard  as  in  a time  of  Low  Water  it  almost  communicates 
with  the  Land  extending  to  the  adjacent  Banks  and  as  the  s'* 


HINSDALE. 


225 


Island  can  never  be  of  any  real  value  while  it  remains  in  its 
present  situation  your  Petioner  prays  that  the  same  may  be 
granted  to  him — And  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Nathan  Willard 

Hinsdale  May  30  A D 1795 

[Petition  granted  June  10,  1796. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-87]  \^Petition  of  Zebulon  Moffatt^  Soldier^  ^77^'> 
dressed  to  the  General  Court. 

Zebulon  Moffatt  of  Hindsdale  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  Plum- 
bly  shews  and  gives  your  Honors  to  be  informed  that  in  the 
year  1776,  your  Petitioner  was  a soldier  in  the  Continental 
Army  And  served  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  Capt 
Hinds  Company,  and  in  the  Regiment  of  which  General  Reed 
was  Colonell  & your  Petitioner  during  the  Campaign  Furnished 
himself  at  his  own  Expence  with  a Good  Firelock  and  other 
Implements  necessary  for  a soldier  expecting  to  enjoy  his  own 
property  and  bring  the  same  home  with  him,  but  when  your 
petitioner  left  the  army  the  Firelock  or  Gun  above-mentioned, 
by  order  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  at  Fort  George,  was  taken 
from  your  Petitioner,  without  his  Consent  and  without  ever  be- 
ing allowed  anything  in  satisfaction.  ^ * 

Chesterfield  June  ^777 

this  May  Certify  that  the  Firelock  taken  from  Zebulon  Mof- 
fatt was  his  property  taken  at  Fort  George  19^^  August  1776  & 
Returned  into  the  Continental  Stores  S*^  Firelock  Valued  at 
£3,  12,  o,  for  me 

Jacob  Hinds  Cap* 


[The  said  amount  was  allowed. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-89]  \^Account  for  Soldiers’  Bounties.^  etc.^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire  to  the  Selectmen  of  Hindsdale  Dr. 


1779  paid  the  State  Bounty  & travel  money  to 
July  22  Thomas  Bishop  a Soldier  rais’d  for  the 
defence  of  Rhode  Island,  per  Rec* 

27*^  paid  Joel  Preist  State  Bounty  for  i year 
in  the  Continental  Army  pr  Rec*  to  Cy- 
rus Shattuck, 


41,  o,  o 
60,-“-“ 


226 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Aug*  3 paid  Samuel  Robins  State  Bounty  for') 

one  year  in  the  Continental  Army  per  >-  6o,-“-“' 

Rec*  to  Cyrus  Shattuck  j 


Errors  Excepted  in  behalf  of  the  Selectmen  of 
Hindsdale  per  Moses  Smith 

In  Committee  on  Claims  Exeter  Septem*’  i6‘^  1786 

This  account  by  the  Scale,  amounts  to  Ten  pounds  Eighteen 
shillings — The  vouchers  are  lodg’d  in  this  office 

Ex'*  per  Josiah  Gilman  Juffi 

June  20*^  17^7  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  Ten 

pounds  eighteen  shillings  in  full  of  the  within  account 

Moses  Smith 


HOLDERNESS. 

The  township  was  granted  Nov.  10,  1751,  to  John  Shep- 
ard and  others  by  the  name  of  Holderness  ; the  conditions 
of  this  grant  not  being  fulfilled,  it  was  forfeited.  It  was  re- 
' granted  Oct.  24,  1761,  to  Major  John  Wentworth  and  others, 
some  of  whom  were  grantees  by  the  first  charter.  Six  of 
the  grantees  bore  the  name  of  Shepard,  and  seven  the  name 
of  Cox.  In  this  grant  the  town  was  named  New  Holder- 
ness, in  honor  of  Robert  Earl  of  Holderness,  and  retained 
that  name  until  June  12,  1816,  when  it  was  changed  to 
Holderness,  in  accordance  with  a vote  of  the  town.  It  was 
in  the  county  of  Strafford  until  it  was  annexed  to  Grafton, 
Sept.  14,  1782.  By  an  act  approved  July  i,  1868,  the  south- 
west part  of  the  town  was  set  off  and  incorporated  by  the 
name  of  Ashland. 


[5-102]  \^Petitio7i  fo7'  a Regi'ant  of  so7ne  foifeited  Rights 
Province  of  Newhampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq  Governour  & com- 
mander in  chief  & to  the  honourable  his  majestys  councill 
for  said  province  of  Newhampshire — 

The  petition  of  Samuel  Livermore  of  Portsmouth  in  said 
province  Esq  humbly  showeth  that  in  and  by  the  Charter  of 


% 


HOLDERNESS.  22/ 

New  Holderness  One  right  or  sixty  seventh  part  was  granted 
to  Sam^  Wentworth  Esq.  of  Boston  and  One  like  right  or  share 
to  Murry  Hambleton  ; that  the  said  Grantees  are  both  deceased 
without  taking  any  step  towards  fullfilling  the  conditions  of  set- 
tling said  township,  according  to  Charter.  And  that  he  this 
Petitioner  hath  agreed  with  the  heir  that  claims  the  right  of 
said  Hambleton  & purchased  the  same  from  him.  The  peti- 
tioner therefore  prays  that  said  Hambletons  right  may  be  re- 
granted to  this  petitioner  & that  the  said  Sam^  Wentworth  Esqrs 
right  may  be  granted  to  such  person  as  will  efiectually  fullfill 
the  conditions  of  the  Charter  & pay  the  taxes  Due  thereon. 

And  your  petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray  &c 

Sam  Livermore 


[5-103]  \^Petition  for  Arms  aitd  Ammunition^  iyy6.~\ 


To  the  Hon'^'®  the  great  and  general  Court  or  Committee  of 
Safty  for  the  Colony  of  New  Hampshire 


We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  Hol- 
derness, having  gain’d  Intelligence,  that  a considerable  Part  of 
our  Army  in  Canada  have  lately  been  forc’d  by  our  unnatural 
Enemies  (the  British  Troops  in  s^^  Canada)  to  retreat,  and 
relinquish  their  Ground  ; and  apprehending  ourselves  in  the 
greatest  Danger  from  the  s*^  Troops,  and  scouting  Parties  of 
Indians  that  may  be  sent  down  to  annoy  and  destroy  us  ; and 
being  in  no  Capacity  for  Defence  do  in  Behalf  of  the  s*^  Town 
pray  your  Honours  to  send  us  by  the  Bearer  hereof  M""  Samuel 
Curry  the  necessary  Powder,  Musquet-Balls  and  Flints  for 
thirty  three  able  and  effective  men,  (belonging  to  the  s'^  Town) 
who  are  ready  with  their  Lives  and  Fortunes  to  assert  and 
maintain  the  american  Cause  ; and  we  your  humble  Petitioners 
as  soon  as  may  be  will  pay  to  your  Honours,  or  the  Committee 
of  Safety  for  the  Time  being,  an  Equivalent  for  the  same  ; and 
as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c 


William  Cox 
Samuel  Curry 


in 

Sam^  Sheperd  | 

1 ? 

rT 

And"’  Smyth 

^ 3 

0 

Natlf‘  Thompson  J 

* 3 

1-^ 

O) 

3 

0 

O) 

[R.  2-90]  \^Herc7iles  Mooney's  Petition^ 

To  the  Hon'’^®  the  Council  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  convened 

Humbly  Shews  Hercules  Mooney  Esq’'  that  in  the  year  1777 


228 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


he  was  a Lieut  Col°  of  a Regiment  in  the  Service  of  the  United 
States  of  America  at  Ticonderoga — That  the  unfortunate  Evac- 
uation of  the  Fortress  there  he  in  the  common  Calamity  by  the 
loss  of  his  Horse  the  most  of  his  Clothes  and  all  his  Camp 
Equipage  to  a very  considerable  value — that  he  has  never  had 
any  Consideration  for  his  Losses — that  being  now  appointed  to 
the  command  of  a Regiment  to  go  to  Rhode  Island  he  is  under 
a Necessity  of  supplying  himself  with  such  articles  as  he  then 
lost  the  Expence  of  which  he  cannot  conveniently  support  un- 
less he  is  compensated  for  his  said  Losses — * * * 

Exeter  June  26‘^  ^779 

Hercules  Mooney 

[The  petition  was  ordered  to  lie  until  the  next  session, 
and  he  was  “allowed  £200,  to  be  accounted  for."  He  peti- 
tioned in  June,  1786,  representing  himself  as  of  New  Hol- 
derness,  for  the  depreciation  of  his  pay,  which  was  allowed. 
—Ed.] 


[R.  291]  [^Holderness  Soldiej'^  i'/82.~\ 

I have  this  Day  mustered  Isaac  Head  to  serve  as  a soldier 
three  years  in  the  New  Hampshire  Line  and  to  serve  for  the 
town  of  Holderness 

Pembrook  July  26,  17S2 

E.  Frye  Cap*  m ma’’ 


[5-104] 


\^Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 


We  the  Subscribers  Do  hereby  Certifie  that  we  have  this  Day 
Numbered  the  Rateable  polls  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  from 
Twenty  one  Years  old  & upwards  of  the  Town  of  Newholder- 
ness,  which  we  find  to  Amount  in  Number  to  37  Foils  and  No 
More  Given  Under  our  Hands  Newholderness  December  the 
S**'  17S3 

Mich'  Dp-er  | 

Samuel  Curry  j 

Grafton  ss  December  8*^  1783  The  foregoing  return  was 
sworn  to  by  the  said  selectmen. 

Cor.  Sam*  Livermore  Chief  Justice 


[5-105]  {^Relative  to  Class  for  Representative^ 

Sir,  this  is  to  certify,  that  it  is  our  Desire  to  be  Disconnected 


HOLDERNESS. 


229 


with  Lincorn,  and  frankcony,  as  we  are  at  two  great  a Des- 
tance,  to  attend  their  meetings  there  or  they  to  attend  here  and 
as  we  Suppose  there  Is  Enough  of  freeholders  in  these  three 
towns,  to  answer  for  a Destrict — 

We  requst,  to  have  our  Desires  presented  to  the  Court,  in  so 
Doing  you^  oblige  your  humble  Servants — 

Andrew  Smith  ] o i i. 

Mich' Dwyer  {Selectmen 

The  number  of  voters  in  this  town  is  forty  five 
New  Holderness  October  20,  1785 

Noah  Worcester  Esq’^ 


[5-106]  \_Major  Satmiel  Shepard  recommended  for  a Alag- 

istrate^  iy8g.'\ 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  Honourable  Council  for 

the  State  aforesaid 


The  Petition  of  Sundry  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New 
Holderness  and  other  Towns  adjacent  Humbly  sheweth  that  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  is  much  wanted  in  said  Town  therefore 
beg  leave  to  nominate  and  recommend  Major  Samuel  Shepard 
of  said  Town  as  a person  well  quallified  and  Suitable  for  that 
office  who  they  pray  may  be  appointed  thereto  and  your  Peti- 
tioners as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &C — 

Portsmouth  December  23*^  17S9 


Richard  Shepard 
John  Thompson 
Levi  Drew 
William  Hodgkins 
Thomas  Crawford 
Tho*  Hill 
S.  L.  Blair 
John  Shaw 
Joseph  Cochran 
John  Whitten 
David  Blair 
Jacob  Shepard 
William  Cox 
Jonathan  Crawford 
David  Webster 


Samuel  Curry 
Nath  thompson 
Edward  Senter 
David  Webster  Jun^ 
Willm  Piper 
John  Shepard 
Joseph  Shepard 
Samuel  Bickford 
Charles  Cox  3'’'^ 
William  Hogan 
John  Lowd 
John  Cox 
Nathanl  piper 
Jacob  Ellison 
John  Mooney 


Andrew  Baker 
John  Bay  ley 
william  Plaisted 
MicN  Dwyer 
Sam^  Shepard 
John  sweeny 
Joseph  Senter 
Bryan  Sweeny 
Robert  Hill 
Charles  Cox 
Joseph  Sheperd 
Thomas  Sheperd 
Stephen  Morse 


230 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-107] 


\_Against  the  Appomtme7it  of  Samuel  Shepard.^ 


To  the  Honourable  president  and  Council  of  this  State — 

Whereas  there  is  a petition  Circulating  in  the  Town  of  New 
Holderness  for  Maj.  samuel  Shepard  to  be  Appointed  Justice 
of  the  peace,  and  whereas  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  have 
ben  misled  to  sign  said  pertition,  and  whereas  the  pertitioners 
upon  a Reconsideration  do  think  that  the  two  Justice,  alReady 
in  town,  is  sufficient  for  said  town,  therefore  your  pertitioners 
do  humbly  pray,  that  said  shepard  may  not  be  appointed — and 
your  pertitioners  will  allways  pray — &.  C. 


Joshua  Smyth 
And'^  Sm}^th 
John  Clark 
John  Smith 
Robert  cox 


William  Smyth 
James  Smyth 
Archelaus  Innis 
John  Innis 
Caleb  Smyth 


Hugh  Ramsey 
John  Whitten 
James  Cox 


[5-108]  \^Petitio7i  for  the  layiTig  out  of  a Road  from  Ply- 

mouth  to  Hill^  iyg8d\ 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  convened — 

The  Subscribers  respectfully  shew  that  a road  from  Plymouth 
Court  House  across  the  River  into  New  Holderness  and  thence 
on  the  most  suitable  ground  near  the  River  through  New  Hol- 
derness and  New  Hampton  and  across  the  River  again  to  the 
house  of  Captain  Cutting  Feavour  in  New  Chester  would  be 
very  useful  to  the  public — That  the  Laws  of  this  State  do  not 
empower  any  Court  to  lay  out  such  Road,  the  same  having  to 
pass  through  a part  of  two  Counties — Wherefore  they  pray  the 
Legislature  to  pass  an  Act  authorizing  some  suitable  persons, 
at  the  expence  of  the  petitioners  if  thought  proper,  to  survey, 
and  if  in  their  opinion  the  public  good  requires  it,  to  lay  out 
such  Road,  ordering  the  Towns  respectively  to  compensate  In- 
dividuals for  damage  done  by  means  of  the  road  passing  on 
their  Lands — 

Nov''  179S — 

W"  Webster 
Israel  Blake 
Rob‘  Towle 
Thomas  Bartlet 
Eben''  Little 
John  Brown 


Chauncey  Holmes 
John  Blake 
G W Livermore 
Moody  Cook 
William  Smyth 
John  Porter 


Samuel  Cook 
David  Webster 
A.  Livermore 
John  Lowd 
Samuel  Holmes 


HOLLIS. 


231 


HOLLIS. 

Thomas  Brattle,  Jonathan  Tyng,  and  24  others,  petitioned 
the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  Sept.  15,  1673,  O.  S., 
for  a grant  of  land  on  what  was  then  and  for  many  years 
thereafter  the  frontier;  and  on  the  i6th  day  of  October  fol- 
lowing (October  27,  1673,  N.  S.)  received  a grant  of  the 
large  tract  of  land  afterwards  known  as  the  township  of 
Dunstable,  which  included  nearly  all  of  the  present  town  of 
Hollis. 

Dec.  28,  1739,  the  westerly  portion  of  Dunstable  was 
“erected  into  a separate  and  distinct  precinct”  by  the  gov- 
ernment of  Massachusetts,  and  went  by  the  name  of  West 
Dunstable  until  April  3,  1746,  when  in  answer  to  a petition 
from  the  inhabitants  about  one  half  of  it  was  incorporated 
with  full  town  privileges  by  the  governor  and  council  of  the 
province  of  New  Hampshire,  and  named  Holies.  I think 
there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  about  the  origin  or 
orthography  of  this  name.  Benning  Wentworth  was  gov- 
ernor of  the  province,  and  owed  his  position  to  Thomas 
Pelham  Holies,  Duke  of  New  Castle,  who  was  colonial  sec- 
retary. It  is  well  known  that  Gov.  Wentw^orth  named  many 
of  the  towns  in  this  state  in  honor  of  his  friends,  sometimes 
when  the  inhabitants  had  petitioned  to  be  incorporated  with 
a name  of  their  own  choosing,  they  preferring  to  accept  a 
name  which  was  distasteful  to  them  rather  than  incur 
the  governor’s  displeasure,  and  perhaps  refusal  to  grant 
their  charter.  As  to  the  orthography  of  the  name  of 
the  Duke  of  New  Castle,  I think  John  Farmer  is  mis- 
taken in  writing  it  Hollis,  as  there  are  manuscript  docu- 
ments in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state  to  which  the 
duke  signed  his  name  “ Holies  New  Castle.”  That  the 
town  was  named  for  him  I think  there  can  be  no  question  ; 
and  because  of  his  ignorance  and  detestable  character,  its 
citizens  were  justified  in  changing  it  to  Hollis,  as  they  evi- 
dently did  to  perpetuate  the  name  of  Thomas  Hollis,  the 
benefactor  of  Harvard  college. 

Dec.  13,  1763,  the  place  called  One  Pine  Hill  was  annexed 
to  Hollis,  thus  extending  its  domains  further  east.  March 
30,  1769,  a strip  was  taken  from  the  west  side  of  the  town 
one  and  a quarter  miles  wide,  and  with  “mile  slip”  incorpo- 
rated into  the  town  of  Raby  (Brookline).  A small  addition 


232 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


was  made  to  the  town  May  14,  1773,  of  land  taken  from 
Dunstable. 

On  the  17th  day  of  February,  1786,  a strip  three  quarters 
of  a mile  wide,  the  entire  length  of  the  west  side  of  the 
town,  was  annexed  to  Raby. 

Hollis  has  a record  for  service  in  the  Revolution  not 
exceeded  by  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  state,  and  the  town 
furnished  more  than  its  quota  of  men  for  the  suppression 
of  the  slave-owners’  rebellion.  Many  eminent  men  were 
born  or  received  their  early  training  in  the  town:  among  the 
latter  was  Joseph  E.  Worcester,  LL.  D.,  the  lexicographer. 


[R.  2-92]  \_Peter  Wheeler’s  Petition^ 

[In  a petition  dated  “Holies  January  the  27^^  1761,”  Pe- 
ter Wheeler  states  that  he  “was  in  his  Majestys  Sarves  in 
the  year  1759  Cap^  Nemiah  Lovewells  Company  in  CoH 
Zac^  Lovewells  Regiment,  and  that  your  Petitioner  was 
taken  sick  about  the  23*^  day  of  July  at  Ticontiroga  and  sent 
down  to  Albany  flats,”  was  sick  there,  and  also  on  the  way 
home,  where  he  arrived  Nov.  15.  He  asked  for  relief,  and 
was  allowed  ^£^9,  15,  sterling. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-93] 

[Joshua  Wright,  of  Hollis,  had  a son  in  the  army  in  1760, 
name  not  given,  who  was  taken  sick  and  died  at  Crown 
Point. — Ed.] 


[5-1 1 1]  \_Selectmen’ s Account  for  taking  an  Inventory  of 

New  Ipswich^ 


Persuant  to  a Precept  from  the  assembly  to  bring  in  a True 
Inventory  of  poles  Lands  &c  Signed  by  M*"  Clarkston  we  the 
subscribers  Select  men  for  the  Town  of  holies  have  ben  to  N : 
Ipswich  & taken  a True  Invoice  according  to  y*  best  of  our 
Judgment  we  was  three  Dayes  upon  s*^  business  & Charge  T12 
p^  Day  old  Ten’’  which  sum  please  to  pay  to  Ensign  Sam*^  Ho- 
bart and  you^  Oblige  Y*"  Humble  Serv*® 


Holies  15  Ap*"  1761 
Total  T36-0-0 


Benj^  Abbot  ) 
Abel  Webster  | 


Select  men 


HOLLIS. 


233 


[5-1 1 2]  ]^Petition  from  Inhabitants  of  Dunstable  to  be  An- 

nexed  to  Hollis^  1^62?^ 

Province  of  Newhamp — 

To  His  ExcelP  Benning  Wentworth  Esq  Gov’"  &c  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Newhamp  : the  HoiP^®  his  Majestys  Council  and  As- 
sembly of  said  Province — 

The  Humble  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  being  Inhabitants 
of  the  North  Westerly  Part  of  Dunstable  in  said  Province 
Humblv  Shews,  that  your  Petitioners  Live  very  Remote  from 
the  Meeting  house  in  said  Dunstable  (the  Chief  of  us  near 
Seven  miles)  by  reason  of  which  we  cannot  Attend  the  Public 
worship  of  God  there  without  Great  Inconveneancey  to  our- 
Selves  & Familys  and  as  we  Lye  very  Contiguous  to  Holies 
meeting  house  where  we  once  belonged  and  help’d  settle  a 
Minister  there  before  we  were  Incorporated  to  Dunstable  and 
have  ever  since  done  Considerable  towards  his  Suport  and  At- 
tended his  meeting — Notwithstanding  all  this  we  have  cheefly 
paid  our  full  Proportion  towards  Preaching  in  Dunstable  when 
we  could  have  no  Priviledge  thereby  by  reason  of  the  Distance 
we  Live  from  there  meeting  house  we  have  often  requested 
of  Dunstable  to  Either  abate  our  Minister  rate  or  set  us  off  to 
Holies  but  they  Wholley  Refues  to  do  either  which  Constrains 
us  to  make  this  Application  to  y’’  ExceP  & HoiP®  Desireing 
your  Consideration  and  Aid  in  y®  Premises  bv  freeing  us  from 
Suporting  the  Gosple  where  we  can  have  no  benefit  thereby 
and  add  us  to  Holies  or  otherwise  as  y*'  ExceP  & HoiP®  shall 
see  meet  and  y*"  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
&c — 


Dated  at  Dunstable  Sep*"  8 : 1762 


Amos  Phillips 
Daniel  more 
Gersham  Hobart 
Elnathan  Blood 


Ebenezer  Hartshorn 
John  Willoughby 
Joseph  ferly 
Benj^  Parker 


Jonathan  Hobart 
David  Hobart 
Jonathan  Russ 
James  Hobart 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  from  the  inhabitants  of  what 
was  called  “ One  Pine  Hill.”  It  was  strongly  opposed,  and 
for  the  time  defeated,  by  Dunstable.  The  following  spring 
the  Pine  Hill  people  procured  the  services  of  Col.  Samuel 
Hobart,  and  renewed  the  contest.  A committee  appointed 
by  the  general  court  went  and  investigated  the  matter.  It 
was  a bitter  fight,  but  resulted  in  the  annexation  of  Pine 
Hill  to  Hollis  by  an  act  passed  Dec.  13,  1763. — Ed.] 


234 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-113] 

Att  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Holies 
March  the  5^^  1764 — 

Voted  to  measure  east  from  Holies  meeting  house  to  the  East 
Line  of  the  Town  and  then  measure  west  from  the  said  Meet- 
ing House  the  Sam  Length  of  line  and  all  to  the  west  by  a 
north  and  south  line  to  be  sett  oft' to  the  Mile  Strip*  So  Called 

A true  Copy  p*"  Sam^^  Cumings  Town  Clerk 

Holies  May  the  : 1764 — 


[5- ”4] 

Att  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Holies 
March  the  7^*'  1768 — 

Voted  oft'  the  West  end  of  the  Town  according  to  a Vote  of 
the  Town  att  their  meeting  march  the  5^^  ^7^4  Ei'ovided  they 
fulfill  their  obligation  that  was  made  Relating  the  same — and 
Messires  Sam^^  Farley  and  Sam^^  Brown  has  Renewed  their  ob- 
ligation according  to  said  vote 

Holies  may  the  17*^  1768 — 

Pr.  Sam^^  Cumings  Town  Clerk 


[5-1 15]  \_Appoint7ne7it  of  Sa^nuel  Farley^  Age^it^  iy68.'\ 


We  the  subscribers  Inhabitance  of  the  Westwardly  part  of 
the  Town  of  Hollis  & the  Inhabitance  & the  freeholders  of  the 
Tract  of  Land  CalP  the  Mile  Slip,  in  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  do  constitute  and  Appoint  Samuel  Farley  of  Holies 
Gen^  to  be  our  agent  Attorney  and  Trustee  in  our  names  and 
Stead  to  Petition  His  Excellency  the  Governer,  the  Honour*^^® 
His  Majesties  Counsel  & House  of  Representatives,  That  we 
the  Inhabitance  afores*^  may  be  set  oft'  & Incorporated  as  a Dis- 
tinct Town — 


January  1768 — 


George  rusell 
archibald  Al’intosh 
James  mcDannell 
Thomas  Asten 
Nathanael  Patten 
Sam^  Brown 


Samuell  Russel  mathw  Wallis 
Daniel  Shed  Jonathan  powers 

William  Blanchard  Isaac  Shattuck 
Benj  Shattuck  Swallow  Tucker 

James  Conek  Robert  Sever 

Elexander  M®intosh  Peter  Honey 


[*  A piece  of  imgranted  land  between  the  Masonian  grant  of  Mason  and  this  town,  now 
in  Brookline. — Ed.] 


HOLLIS. 


235 


Isaac  Stevens 
Simeon  Blanchard 
JosLia  Smith 
Abegill  Spaulding 
James  Cambell 


John  Cumings 
James  Nutting 
Fra®  Buttrick 
Henery  Spaulding 
Clark  Brown 


Sam'^  Farley 
Rose. Dicky 
william  Spaulding 
Robart  Cambell 
James  Nutting  Juner 


[5-116]  Petition  for  the  Ponnation  of  a New  Pown., 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Governor  & Com- 
mander in  Chief,  in  & over  his  Majesty s Province  of  New 
Hampshire,  & the  Honourable  his  Majestys  Council  of  said 
Province — 

Humbly  sheweth  Samuel  Farley  of  Holies,  in  said  Province, 
in  behalf  of  himself,  & sundry  of  the  Inhabitants,  living  in  the 
westerly  side  of  said  Holies,  & in  a Tract  of  Land  adjoining  to 
the  same.  Called  the  Mile  Strip  ; that  those  persons  live  very 
Remote  from  the  Meeting  House  in  said  Holies,  that  to  attend 
the  Publick  Worship  of  God  there,  is  attended  with  much 
Travil. — 

Wherefore  your  Petitioner  prays  in  behalf  of  said  Inhabi- 
tants,— that  the  westerly  part  of  said  Holies  may  be  set  off,  & 
Joined  to  the  Tract  of  Land  called  the  Mile  Strip,  & be  made 
a Town  (or  a seperate  Parish  from  Holies)  or  otherwise  as 
your  Excellency  & Honors  shall  see  Meet,  & your  Petitioner 
as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

Dated  May  19*^  1768 

SanF  Farley 


[5-109]  \_Petitio7i  for  the  Pormatio7t  of  a New  Pown^  //dp.] 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*'  Captain  General, 
Governor  & Commander  in  chief  in  & over  his  Majestys 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  And  to  the  Honourable  his 
Majestys  Councel  for  said  Province — 

The  Petition  of  Samuel  Farley,  in  behalf  of  himself,  & a 
number  of  the  Inhabitants,  in  the  westerly  part  of  Holies,  & 
the  Mile  Strip  so  called,  in  said  Province  humbly  sheweth,  that 
your  Petitioners,  in  the  said  westerly  part  of  Holies,  are  so  re- 
mote from  the  Centre  of  said  Town,  by  reason  of  the  distance, 
that  they  cannot  attend  Town  priviledges,  without  great  diffi- 
culty & expence,  & that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Mile  Strip  afore- 
said, are  not  Incorporated,  but  are  destitute  of  Town  privi- 
lidges,  wherefore  your  Petitioner  Prays  as  aforesaid,  that  your 
Excellency  & Honours  would  take  of  the  westerly  part  of  Hoi- 


236 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


les  aforesaid  & Incorporate  the  same  together  with  the  Mile 
Strip,  into  a Seperate  or  distinct  Town,  with  the  same  Privi- 
ledges  of  other  Towns  & your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  Bound 
shall  ever  pray 

Sam^^  Farley 

[A  plan  accompanied  the  foregoing  (Vol,  5,  No.  i loi) 
with  a description  of  boundaries  as  follows  : — Ed.] 

[5-1 10]  \^Boundaries  of  Raby^  i"j6g.~\ 

Beginning  at  a Stake  & Stones  in  the  South  Side  Line  of  the 
Town  of  Holies  which  is  also  the  Province  Line  which  Stake 
stands  about  two  miles  due  East  from  the  south  west  Corner  of 
said  Holies,  thence  running  north  by  the  Needle  cross  the  said 
Town  to  one  other  Stake  & Stones  standing  in  the  North  Side 
Line  of  Said  Holies,  leaving  the  meeting  House  in  said  Holies 
in  the  midle  between  this  Line  & the  East  Side  Line  of  Holies, 
then  running  from  the  last  mentioned  Stake  Westerly  by  Holies 
to  the  North  West  Corner  thereof  then  continuing  that  Line 
cross  a Tract  call’d  the  Mile  Slip  to  the  easterly  side  Line  of 
Mason — 

thence  turning  oft'  & running  south  by  the  Needle  on  the 
easterly  side  Line  of  Mason — afores^^  to  the  Province  Line  then 
due  east  partly  on  the  Province  Line  & partly  on  the  South 
Side  Line  of  Holies  afore  Said  to  Stake  began  at 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  successful,  and  a new  town 
was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council,  March  30, 
1769,  in  accordance  with  the  above  described  boundaries. 
The  town  was  named  Raby  for  a town  in  the  north  of  Eng- 
land, whence  came  some  of  its  settlers.  That  town  is  now 
called  Brookline. — Ed.] 


[5-118]  \^Agreetne?it  relative  to  extending  the  Town  fiirther 

East,  1773 

At  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Holies  held 
April  y®  12”^  1773 — 

We  the  Subscribers  being  a Committee  of  the  Town  of  Hol- 
ies, to  Agree  with  Dunstable,  or  their  Committee,  with  respect 
of  extending  the  easterly  line  of  Holies  so  far  east  as  to  Include 
Messers  Merrel  & Jaquith  with  their  Improvements  and  to  be 
Annexed  to  Holies,  in  order  for  an  Accomodation  with  respect 
of  the  Bridge  &c 

In  consequence  whereof  we  have  met  with  Dunstable  Com- 


HOLLIS. 


237 


mittee  and  have  mutualy  agreed  that  the  easterly  line  of 
Holies  be  extended  eastwardly  on  the  following  Bounds,  viz 
To  begin  at  a stake  and  Stones  about  fifteen  Rods  below  Buck- 
medow  falls  at  the  River  which  is  M*"  Jaquiths  northerly  corner, 
thence  running  southerly  on  a Straight  Line  to  a Pine  Tree  on 
the  River  bank,  wich  is  said  Jaquiths  southwesterly  corner — 


Voted  to  Except  of  the  Above  Report,  and  the  easterly  Line 
of  Holies  be  extended  According  to  said  Bound 


Province  of  New  Hampshire  Hillsborough  ss 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq^  Captain  General 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  said  Prov- 
ince, and  the  Honourable  his  Majestys  Council,  and  House 
of  Representatives  in  General  Assembly  ConveiP  in  May 

1773— 

The  Memorial  of  the  Subscribers  Humbly  sheweth,  that 
Your  memorialists  are  Inhabitents  in  the  southwesterly  corner 
of  Dunstable  in  said  Province,  that  our  Situation  is  so  Remote 
from  the  Meeting  House  in  said  Dunstable,  that  we  and  our 
Families  cannot  conveniently  Attend  the  publick  Worship  of  God 
there,  by  Reason  of  the  Distance  ; & that  we  are  about  three 
Miles  nearer  to  the  Meeting  House  in  Holies,  then  we  are  to 
Dunstable  ; that  if  we  & our  Lands  were  Annexed  to  Holies, 
it  would  be  much  more  for  our  benefit  & Advantage  and  Your 
Memorialists  beg  leave  to  Acquaint  Your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours, that  Nashua  River  is  the  Boundary  Line  where  we  live, 
between  said  Dunstable  and  Holies,  that  the  River  there  is  not 
in  Either  of  the  Townes,  as  Dunstable  Bounds  on  the  east  side, 
& Holies  on  the  west  side,  that  a dispute  haith  Arose  between 
these  two  Towns  with  Respect  to  Building  a Bridge  Over  said 
River,  on  A Publick  Antient  Road  leading  through  our  Im- 
provements, and  as  the  River  is  not  in  either  of  the  Towns 
where  said  Road  Crosses,  so  the  Bridge  could  not  be  built 
Unless  by  Subscription,  (as  the  Bridge  built  there,  by  Sub- 
scription was  Cary‘S  away,  by  y®  water  & Ice)  or  by  Applica- 
tion to  the  Legislature,  and  in  order  for  an  Accommadation  we 


April  y®  5^^  1773 


A Trew  Copy  Attest  Sam'^  Cumings  Town  Clerk 


[5-1 19]  \_Petition  of  Dunstable  Parties  to  be  annexed  to 

Hollis^  2773^^ 


238 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


proposed  that  if  Dunstable  would  set  us  off  to  Holies,  and  that 
if  Holies  would  receive  us,  that  we  would  do  considerable  part 
towards  building  said  Bridge,  over  and  above  our  Quota  ; 
whereupon  the  said  Towns  Agreed  to  accept  of  our  proposals, 
and  Agreed  that  we  and  our  Lands  should  be  Annexed  to 
Holies  &c — 

Wherefore  we  pray  that  Your  Excellency  & Honours  would 
be  pleased  to  Attend  to  our  Memorial,  and  annex  and  Incorpo- 
rate us,  and  our  Lands  to  and  with  Holies  by  the  following 
lines  & Bounds  According  to  our  agreement  viz.  Begining  at  a 
stake  & stones  on  the  Bank  of  the  River,  standing  about  fifteen 
rods  below  buck  Medow  falls  so  called,  which  is  the  northerly 
Bound  of  said  Jaquiths  Land,  thence  Running  Southerly  a 
Straight  line  to  a Pine  tree  on  the  River  Bank,  being  said  Ja- 
quiths Southwesterly  Corner,  thence  down  the  River  Including 
the  same  to  the  place  began  at ; and  that  we  may  be  Exonerated 
and  Discharged  from  paying  any  Taxes,  and  proforming  any 
Duty’s  at  said  Dunstable  and  that  all  said  Tract  of  Land  Im- 
proved and  Unimproved,  may  be  made  a part  of  Holies,  as 
Much  to  all  Intents  and  purposes  as  if  it  had  ben  within  the 
Original  Boundarys,  and  Incorporation  thereof,  and  we  as  in 
Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray. 

April  30^^  1773  Daniel  Merril 

Ebenezer  Jaquith 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  by  an  act  passed 
May  14,  1773.  A plan  of  the  line  is  to  be  found  in  Manu- 
script Vol.  5,  No.  121. — Ed.] 


[5-120]  [ Consent  of  Dunstable  to  the  foregoi7tgC\ 

At  a Legal  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Dun- 
stable April  the  19^^  1773 

Voted  that  the  Easterly  Line  of  Holies  be  Extended  Easterly 
to  the  following  Bounds  (Viz)  to  begin  at  a Stake  and  Stones 
about  fifteen  rods  below  Buck  Meadow  falls  at  the  River  which 
is  M*"  Jaquiths  northerly  Corner  thence  Runing  southerly  on  a 
strait  line  to  a Pine  Tree  on  the  River  Bank  which  is  said  Ja- 
quiths Southwesterly  Corner,  according  to  a Vote  of  the  s'^  Town 
of  Holies  april  the  12  1773:  Provided  that  the  s*^  Town  of 
Dunstable  be  forever  Excused  from  any  future  Cost  to  Effect 
the  same,  & Building  & maintaining  a Bridge  over  Nashua 
River  at  or  near  s*^  Jaquiths  Mills — 

A True  Copy,  Attest  Jo®  Whiting  Town  Clerk 


HOLLIS. 


239 


[5-122]  \_Relative  to  a Hollis  man  enlisted  in  Massachusetts 

Regiment^ 

State  of  the  massachusetts  Bay — 

In  the  Hows  of  Representatives  Jan*"  y®  31 — 177S  the  Pe- 

tition of  Uriah  Wright  In  Behalf  of  the  Selectmen  of  the  town 
of  Holies  In  the  State  of  NewHamp®’^  setting  forth  that  one 
Eli  Stiles  of  Said  Holies  did  Inlist  Him  Self  Into  the  Service 
for  the  town  of  Littleton  In  this  State  and  Wase  mustered  by 
James  Barrett  Esq*"  and  Receved  the  Contenantal  and  this  States 
Bounty  and  Whereas  said  Eli  Stiles  Is  also  Inlisted  In  said 
Holies  & Reckoned  for  a Soldier  for  said  town  and  also  Reck- 
oned for  a Soldier  In  said  town  of  Littleton — 

Resolved  that  it  appears  to  this  Court  that  the  said  Eli  Stiles 
ought  to  be  Considered  as  a Soldier  for  the  town  of  Holies  he 
belonging  to  said  town  and  Not  to  be  Reckoned  for  the  town 
of  Littleton  and  that  upon  the  said  uriah  Wrights  paying  back 
to  James  Barrett  Esq"^  both  the  Contenantal  and  this  States 
Bounty  the  said  Eli  Stiles  be  Discharged  from  being  a Soldier 
for  said  Littleton  the  said  James  Barrett  Esq*"  to  be  accountable 
to  this  Court  for  the  Bounties  afore  Said 

Sent  up  for  Concurrence  J.  Warren  Speaker 

In  Counsell  Janwary  y®  31 — 177S 

Read  and  Concurred — Avery  Secrety 

Consented  to  by  the  ma’’  Part  of  the  Counsell 

A true  Copy  Attest  John  Avery  Secretary 


[5-123]  \_Relative  to  Appoi72t?nent  of  Officers  hi  the  ]\Iilitia^ 

1775-'] 

Colony  of  New  Hampshire — 

At  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Holies — 
Publickly  Notihed,  Voted  Unanimously  that  this  Town  accept 
& highly  Approve  of  the  Plan  proposed  by  the  Hon'^  Congress 
as  a Rule  for  a General  Representation  for  this  Colony  in  future, 
it  also  represented  to  this  Town  that  the  Lion”  Congress  for  s” 
Colony  propose  to  Appoint  Field  officers  for  the  Regiment 
lately  Commanded  by  CoL  Lutwyche,*  at  their  next  sessions  at 

[*Col.  Edward  Goldstone  Lutwyche  came  with  his  mother,  Mrs.  Sarah  Lutwyche,  to  Mer- 
rimack in  1760,  and  occupied  a farm  and  ferry  which  his  mother  possessed  by  a legacy  from 
a relative.  He  was  an  educated  man,  and  by  profession  a lawyer  When  new's  came  of  the 
battle  at  Lexington,  April  19,  1775,  he  was  in  command  of  the  Fifth  regiment  of  the  provin- 
cial militia,  and  was  importuned  by  his  officers  and  men  to  march  them  against  the  “ com- 
mon enemy,”  which  he  refused  to  do,  and  tried  to  discourage  others. from  going.  Some 
time  during  the  night  of  the  20th  of  April,  he  left  home  clandestinely  and  joined  General 
Gage  in  Boston.  He  was  at  Long  Island  in  January,  1777,  and  probably  went  to  England. 
His  property  was  confiscated  by  the  state,  and  the  ferry  privdege  granted  to  Hon.  Matthew 
Thcrnton,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence;  and  the  locality  still  bears  the  name 
of  Thornton’s  Ferry  — Ed.] 


240 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Exeter,  therefore  unanimously  Voted  that  this  Town  beg  Leave 
to  Recomend  Col°  John  Hale  Esq*"  as  a suitable  Person  to  Com- 
mand s*^  Rigement  — also  Unanimously  Voted  to  Recomend 
Major  Robart  Reed  as  a suitable  Person  to  be  LieU  CoP  of  s*^ 
Regiment 

Holies  OcP  25*^  1775 
A True  Copy  Attest 

William  Nevens  Moderator 

To  the  HoU'  Congress 

for  the  Colony  of  New  Hampshire 


[cj-124]  \_Relative  to  the  Estates  of  Absentees^  ^779-\ 

State  of  Newhampshire  Hillsborough  ss 

To  the  Hono^^  the  Consel  and  General  assembley  of  Said 

State — 

This  Information  and  Petition  of  the  Select  men  of  the  town 
of  Holies  In  s*^  State  In  Behalf  of  the  town  Humbly  sheweth 
that  thair  is  In  this  town  several  tracks  of  Land  that  belonged 
to  the  absentees  of  the  State  of  the  massachusetts  Bay  (Viz) 
the  one  half  of  five  hundred  acres  that  Belonged  to  CoP^  Will- 
iam Brattle  In  Partnership  With  andrew  Oliver  Esq*'  of  Salam 
and  one  third  of  three  hundred  acres  that  Belonged  to  Co^ 
William  Brown  In  Partnership  With  the  Heirs  of  the  Late 
Colo*  Brown  and  a Lot  of  about  fifty  or  sixty  acres  that  be- 
longed to  George  Curwin  of  Salam — and  s**  Land  Hase  Ben 
taxed  agreeble  to  the  Law  of  this  State  and  No  Person  having 
appered  to  pay  the  taxes  on  s‘*  Browns  and  Brattles  Land  alltho 
the  other  owners  have  paid  thair  part  of  s'*  taxes  as  to  Curwins 
Land  thair  Was  a Peace  of  that  Sold  to  pay  one  years  tax  and  a 
Person  appears  to  pay  the  Rest  but  We  apprehend  it  is  With 
Desire  to  Keep  the  Land  and  to  Prevent  it  from  falling  to  the 
State  Where  it  belonges  and  as  thair  is  three  years  taxes  Now 
Dew  on  s'*  Browns  and  Brattles  Land  amounting  In  the  Whole 
to  the  Sum  of  JG52-15-5  With  some  Cost  of  advertizing  the 
two  Last  years  taxes  it  Being  advertised  for  Sail  but  the  Van- 
due  Wase  stoped  as  We  found  out  that  it  Wase  Land  that  be- 
longed to  absentees  and  so  Would  of  Cours  fall  to  the  State — 
the  tax  Now  Due  on  s'*  Curwins  Land  is  £10-7-0 

Wherefore  We  Pray  your  Honors  to  take  the  matter  Into 
your  Wise  Consideration  and  Pase  Some  order  Which  Way 
We  Shall  Come  by  said  taxes  as  our  taxes  are  Large  and  our 
Constables  are  uneasy  to  be  Called  on  for  money  and  thair  be- 
ing Some  part  that  thay  Cant  git  and  thay  think  that  thay  must 


HOLLIS. 


241 


Sell  the  Land  to  Pay  taxes  if  No  thing  is  Don  In  the  afair, 
and  your  Petitioners  as  In  Deuty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 
Holies  October  y®  23 — 1779 

The  Cost  of  advertising  Hase  Ben  £3-0-0  • 


£5-125]  \_Estates  of  Hollis  Absentees^  ^779-^ 

State  of  Newhampshire  Hillsborough  ss. 

To  the  Hon’^^  The  Council  and  General  assambley  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  S'^  State — 

In  obedience  to  a Resolve  of  S'^  General  assembley  Based 
November  y®  10-1779  We  Doe  Inform  and  Hearby  Return  that 
thair  is  In  the  town  of  Holies  The  Folowing  Places  and  tracts 
of  Land  (Viz)  A Farm  owned  By  Benjemine  Whitting  Esq’’ 
Containg  good  Buildings  and  about  50  acres  of  Land  In  Several 
Peaces  the  taxes  assest  thair  on  Have  Ben  Reccovered  Without 
Selling  of  the  Land. 

allso  a farm  owned  By  Samuel  Cumings  Esq*"  Consisting  of 
good  Buildings  and  about  120  acres  of  Land  the  taxes  of  Which 
Have  allso  Ben  got  Except  £3-9-0-  In  y®  year  177S 

allso  A Place  owned  By  Breed  Batchelder  Esq*’  of  Packers- 
held  Containg  about  50  acres  With  Some  Building  thair  on  the 
taxes  of  Which  Have  Ben  all  paid  By  the  Improver 

allso  200  acres  owned  By  Co^  William  Brattle  In  Partnership 
With  andrew  oliver  Esq*"  of  Salam 

allso  100  acres  owned  by  Co^  William  Brown  of  Salam  In 
Partner  Ship  With  the  heirs  of  the  Late  Co^  Will"’  Brown  the 
taxes  of  Which  are  all  Due  Which  are  as  folowes  (Viz) 

In  1777  300  acres  Wase  taxed  the  Sum  of  £6-13-6 


Holies  Janewary  y®  14-1780 

N B We  Had  Ben  at  the  Cost  of  advertsing  Olivers  and  Brat- 
tles Land  Before  We  Knew  it  to  Be  tory  Land 


In  177S 
In  1779 


£5-  r-6 
£39-  0-0 


Total 


■^54  4 ® 


Which  Wase 


£3-0-0 


3-9 

3- 


242 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-1 26]  \^Account  of  Sale  of  Confiscated  Counterfeiters'*  Tools, 

i78o.~\ 


Agreable  to  the  order  of  the  General  assembley  of  this  State 
Pas^d  february  y®  12-1780  the  folowing  is  an  account  of  the 
Sail  of  Sundry  articles  that  I Had  In  Possion  Innumerated  In 
Said  order  to  Geather  With  my  Bill  of  Expences  (Viz) 

The  Whole  of  the  articles  Sold  at  Vendue  Came  to  £113-0-0 
an  account  of  my  Bill  of  Expences  (Viz) 


to  a Serch  Warrent 

to  my  time  In  Said  afair  Examining  mr  farnsworth 

0 

1 

1 

and  Indeveouring  to  make  further  Discoverys 
to  Cash  Paid  to  the  officsor  and  His  assistance  In 

6-  0-0 

Several  Serches 

27-16-0 

to  a Journey  to  Esq*"  Claggets  for  advice 

4-19-0 

to  my  Journey  to  Exeter 

62-  0-0 

to  the  Cost  of  the  Vandue 

10-  0-0 

total 

£ 1 1 3-  0-0 

Holies  Apriel  y®  13-1780 
Erors  Excepted 


per  Noah  Worcester 


I Rest  it  with  your  Honors  Wisdom  and  Generousity  Weather 
you  Will  make  me  any  further  alowance  for  the  Service  I Have 
Don  the  State  In  my  Exerting  my  Self  In  order  to  Detect  and 
Bring  to  Light  the  Said  Vile  and  Distructive  Plan  and  gitting 
Position  of  a Whole  Set  of  money  tools — and  Remain  your 
most  Humble  Servant 

Noah  Worcester 

To  the  Hon'’^  The  Counciel  and  asambley  of  the  State  of  New- 
hampshire 


[R.  2-94]  S^Petition  of  Capt.  Reuben  Dow, 

State  of  New  Hamp*' 

To  the  Honorable  The  Council  & House  of  Representatives  for 
said  State  in  General  Court  Assembled  at  Exeter  December 
1778. 

The  Petition  of  Cap*  Reuben  Dow  humbly  sheweth 
That  your  Petitioner  animated  with  a true  Zeal  to  serve  his 
Country  Ingaged  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States  of  America 
immediately  upon  the  Commencement  of  Hostilities  & had  the 
honor  to  Command  a Company,  & attended  his  duty  in  that 
Station  with  great  delight  & pleasure  to  himself  & to  the  satis- 
faction & approbation  of  the  Public 


HOLLIS. 


243 


That  on  the  16*^  Day  of  June  1775,  he  together  with  his  Com- 
pany with  others  was  ordered  to  take  possession  of  the  ground 
near  Bunker  Hill,  & on  the  17^'^  day  was  in  the  Heaviest  part 
of  the  Battle  at  said  Hill,  at  which  time  he  had  the  Misfortune 
to  be  wounded  in  his  right  Ancle,  by  a musket  Ball,  which 
broke  & much  fractured  the  Bones,  which  caused  him  great 
pain  & distress  for  a long  time  before  it  was  healed — by  means 
whereof  he  has  lost  the  use  of  that  joint,  which  renders  him  in- 
capable of  performing  his  duty  in  his  Station,  or  undergoing 
the  fatigues  & hardships  of  the  war — & whereby  he  is  prevented 
from  using  and  exercising  (in  a great  measure)  his  usual  and 
necessary  occupation  and  business,  for  which  he  has  received 
no  consideration — 

Wherefore  he  humbly  prays  your  honors  to  take  his  case  into 
your  consideration  & grant  him  such  relief  as  your  honors 
shall  see  fit,  & your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  ever  prays 

Reuben  Dow 

Holies  December  20^*^  ^77^ 

N.  B.  Cap*  Reuben  Dow  Rec*^  his  pay  as  Cap*  untill  the  last 
Day  of  Decern'’  A.  D.  177s — 

[The  committee  on  sick  and  wounded  officers  and  soldiers 
reported  that  he  was  entitled  to  half  pay  for  one  year  from 
Jan.  I,  1776,  and  quarter  pay  thenceforth  until  otherwise 
ordered. 

Captain  Dow’s  company,  of  fifty-nine  Hollis  men,  was  in 
Col.  William  Prescott’s  Massachusetts  regiment.  This  town 
also  had  four  men  in  Capt.  Moor’s  company,  same  regiment, 
and  eight  men  in  Col.  Reed’s  regiment. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-95]  [jl/d  to  the  Fajnily  of  Jacob  Danforth^  777^.] 

Hollis  November  y^  15,  1779  Received  of  tbe  selectmen  of 
Holies  thirty-three  Pound  three  Shillings  and  three  Pence  In  full 
for  my  travel  visits  and  medicions  for  the  wife  of  Jacob  Dan- 
forth  one  of  our  Continental  Soldiers  for  three  years 

Per  me  JoiP  Fox  Physicion 

I acknowledge  the  above  Charge  of  Doc*  fox  against  my  Hus- 
band Jacob  Danforth  to  Be  Just  and  true 

her 

Per  me  Anna  X Danforth. 

in  ark 


Janewary  y®  18-1780 


244 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[She  also  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  provisions  amount- 
ing to  ;^II4,  9,  6,  which  she  had  received  at  different  times 
during  the  year  1779. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-96]  \_Soldiers^  Petition  for  a?t  Allowance  for  the  De~ 
freciatio7i  of  their  Pay^ 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Holies  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  and  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire.— 

Most  Humbly  ^heweth,  That  in  July  1779,  there  was  a Re- 
quisition for  a number  of  men  to  Go  into  the  Continental  Ser- 
vice for  the  said  Town,  and  your  Petitioners  were  hired  to  Go 
for  one  year.  * * * 

Holies  June  9^^  1781 

Caleb  Stiles  Joseph  Stearns  Ephraim  Pairce 

Simeon  Foster  William  Tenney  for  JerathMeel  bowers 

[These  men  served  in  Col.  Moses  Nichols’s  regiment. — 
Ed.] 


[R.  2-97]  \_Relative  to  Lemuel  Bloody  Soldier^  1^82. 

The  Deposition  of  Lemuel  Blood  of  Holies  In  the  County  of 
Hillsborough  and  State  of  Newhampshire  of  Lawful  age  who 
testifies  and  says  that  he  was  a Soldier  In  the  Contenental  army 
in  the  year  17S0  for  the  term  of  six  months  for  the  town  of  Hol- 
ies and  that  he  was  on  Command  Near  North  Castle  and  was 
taken  prisoner  by  a party  of  the  Cow  Boys  so  Called  on  the 
Ninth  Day  of  November  1780  and  was  Caried  to  New  }mrk  and 
that  he  made  his  Escape  from  the  Enemy  on  or  about  the  tenth 
Day  of  December  1780  and  that  he  understood  that  the  six 
months  men  was  all  discharged  so  that  he  did  Not  Return  to 
Campt  to  git  a discharge  But  made  the  Best  of  His  way  home 
and  found  all  the  soldiers  that  he  went  with  at  Home  Holies 
June  y^  15,  1782  Lemuel  Blood 

[Sworn  before  Noah  Worcester. — Ed.] 

[R.  2-98] 

[Reuben  Blood  and  William  Connick  testify  as  to  what 
they  know  about  the  matter.  They  were  in  the  service  at 
the  same  time,  and  were  discharged  Dec.  4,  1780. — Ed.] 


HOLLIS. 


245 


[R.  2-100] 

[Jeremiah  Prichard,  “ of  Holies,”  states  that  he  was  ap- 
pointed “adjutant  to  the  First  Regiment  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire forces  in  January,  1778,  and  did  that  duty  until  June 
following,  when  a new  arrangement  took  place.”  He  asks 
for  extra  pay  for  said  service. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-1 01]  [_So/dicrs’  Orders.^ 

[William  Hale  ordered  what  wages  may  be  due  him  for 
service  in  the  army,  in  1780,  to  be  paid  to  Augustus  Blan- 
chard. (Date  cut  off.) 

John  Bonner  ordered  ;^24,  which  was  due  him  for  service 
in  the  Second  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  in  1781,  to  be 
paid  to  Samuel  Walker.  This  order  was  dated  November 
23,  1782,  and  has  attached  an  acknowledgment  before  Jer- 
emiah Pritchard,  selectman,  dated  “ Holies,  July  26^^,  1784.” 
—Ed.] 

[R.  2-102] 

To  John  T.  Gilman  Esq*"  Treasurer  for  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  Pleas’d  to  pay  Daniel  Emerson  Jr.  all  that  is  due 
to  us  for  our  Service  in  the  Continental  arm}^  one  year  (from 
July  1779  to  July  17S0)  in  Cole'  Scamil  Regiment  and  his  Re- 
ceipt Shall  be  your  discharge  from  us  and  you  will  much  oblige 
your  humbel  Servants 

Holies  July  y®  5*  1784 

Test  Solomon  Rogers  ) Caleb  Stiles  Caleb  Stiles  Jun 
Sam'  Emerson  ) Ephraim  Pairce  Grant  Powers 

his 

Simeon  Foster  Jacob  X Hobart 

his  mark 

Joseph  X Starns 

mark 


[5-127]  \_ReIatlve  to  Estate  of  J4'7/tiam  Brozvn^  Absentee^ 

1784.^ 

in  the  year  1782  the  Land  of  CoP  William  Brown  in  Hollis 
an  Absentee  was  taxed  Seventeen  Shillings  & two  pence  one 


246 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


farthing — which  we  pray  may  be  allow’d  according  to  a Partic 
ular  act  of  this  State  in  that  Case  made  &c — 

Hollis  Oct^  18^^  1784 

W™  Cumings  Select 

Jeremiah  Prichard  ♦ men 

1712I4 

Rc*^  an  order  on  the  Treasry  for  the  above  Sum 

Daniel  Emerson  Ju*" 


[5-128]  \_Relative  to  the  Restoration  of  Monson^ 

To  the  HoiP^®  Council  and  house  of  Representatives  to  be  Con- 
vened at  Concord  in  September  Anno  Domini  1782 — 

We  the  Subscribers  or  a number  of  us  Subscribed  our  names 
to  a petition  praying  that  your  honours  w^ould  Restore  the  An- 
cient Town  of  Monson  to  its  former  Situation  as  to  boundaries, 
& that  it  might  be  invested  with  the  same  powders  & immunities 
which  said  towm  formerly  held  and  Enjoyed — And  whereas 
upon  further  Consideration  we  are  well  Satisfyed  that  it  will  be 
a Great  Disadvantage  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  tract  of  Land 
formerly  Called  Monson  if  the  prayer  of  said  petition  should  be 
Granted,  because  we  Consider  that  the  inhabitants  who  are  set- 
tled up  thro’  the  middle  of  the  towm  are  Chiefly  new,  and  pay 
but  a very  small  proportion  of  taxes,  as  yet,  and  w’e  see  that  our 
present  taxes  are  heavy,  and  making  new'  roads  from  the  various 
parts  of  said  towui  to  the  Centre,  together  with  the  many  other 
Charges  to  which  Towms  are  Subjected,  we  are  Convinced  will 
be  Exceedingly  burdensome — 

Wherefore  w'e  humbly  pray  your  honours  w'ould  not  Grant 
the  prayer  of  said  petition,  but  that  you  w'ould  Alltogether  Re- 
ject the  same,  and  your  humble  petitioners  wdll  ever  pray  &c. 

Holies  Septem*'  14^^  1782 — 

David  Wallingsford 
Rich^  Bayley 

[5-129]  ^^Petitioners’  Tax^  1^82. 

The  flrst  State  Tax  for  1782 — 

Neh*^  French  Ti,  14,  2,  3 William  French  J 2,  18,  9, 

Benj^  Messer  18,  2,  Tim®  Emerson  J""  i,  2,  6,  i, 

Joseph  French  i,  6,  7,  2 Tim®  Emerson  17,  o,  3, 

Ivory  Hovey  15,  9,  Silas  Spaulding — i,  16,  3,  3, 

William  French  12,  i,  i Jonas  Shattuck — 18,  2, 

Oliv'’ Bowers  i,  17,  10,  i Ebeifl  Gillson  19,  i, 

Jerahmeel  Colburn  new  Comer 


£15  : 18  : 7.  2 


HOLLIS. 


247 


David  Wallingfor 

d£3. 

6,  4,  John  Starns  i. 

G 

3,  I 

Edward  Foster — 

- G 

8,  1,2  Jotham  Starns — 

15’ 

9’ 

Starns  Needham 

G 

12,  5,  3 Rob‘  Perkins — 

H’ 

6,  3 

Joffi  Danforth 

3’ 

O’  9’  3 

Tho®  Emerson 

G 

16,  1 1 , I <£16, 

18, 

8,  I 

Merah*"  Leamon 

G 

G IG  15’ 

18, 

7’  2 

Jon.  Spaulding 

G 

G 10,  I 

Benj  Emerson 

15’  9,  Total  32, 

17’ 

3’  3 

The  above  sums  affixed  to  the  Names  above  written  is  their 
first  State  Tax  for  1782  taken  from  the  Town  Records — 

Attest  William  Cumings,  Town  Clerk 


Hollis  Nov^  i8‘^  1783 — 


The  first  State  Tax  for  1782 — 


Rob*  Colburn — £ i , 

19’  II,  3 

Rob*  Colburn  J*" 

£2, 

H’ 

8,  3 

Nath"  Colburn — 2, 

8,  8, 

Benj  Colburn — 

2, 

15’ 

G I 

Dan'  Bayley — 3, 

S,  5,  2 

Joel  Bayley — 

18, 

2, 

Dan'  Bayley  Jr 

13,  I,  I 

Sam'  Hayden — 

3’ 

I 

Dan'  Kenrick,  4, 

18,  10 

Thad®  Wheeler 

3’ 

2, 

9’  2 

Jonas  Willoughby  3, 

G3’  11 

Eben*  Farley — 

3’ 

10, 

0,  2 

W*"  Nevins  3, 

lO’  3’  1 

Jos  Nevins 

G 

18, 

4,  2 

Benj  Nevins  i. 

6-  7'  3 

oliv*  Sanders 

2, 

2, 

6, 

Tho®  Powers  i. 

7>  5'  ' 

Josi  Parker — 

5’ 

G 

6,  I 

Josi  Parker  J* 

19’  4,  2 

Jos  Eastabrooks- 

16, 

9’ 

Jos.  Stearns — i. 

H’  3’  3 

ZacclF  Shattuck 

2, 

13’ 

G 

ZaccffiShattuckJ*  i. 

9,  8,  I 

Elath"  Blood  J*— 

- G 

4’ 

10, 

•£55' 

14’ 

7’  2 

The  above  Sums  affixed  to  the  Names  above  written  is  their 
first  State  Tax  for  1782  taken  from  the  Town  Records — 

Hollis  Nov*’  18,  1782 — 

Attest  W*"  Cumings  Town  Clerk 


[5-130]  \_State?ue7it  of  a Grievance^ 

To  y®  Hoffi^®  Committee  of  Safety  for  y®  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 

Gentlemen, 

Sensibly  Touch’d  with  a matter  of  Grievance,  I take  an  Op- 
portunity to  acquaint  your  honours  with  it  in  as  few  words  as 
Possible  concerning  the  Extant  issu’d  against  the  Town  of  Hoi- 


248 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


lis  which  not  to  impeach  the  Authority,  as  a Town  we  take  it 
exceeding  hard — 

not  to  magnify  Our  good  Deed,  we  must  remind  your  hon- 
ours of  our  faithfully  answering  every  Requisition  thro’  a 
Series  of  Hardships  in  the  past  Calamitous  Times  we  have  not 
been  Deficient  a pound  of  Beef  neither  has  a man  been  Want- 
ing on  our  part,  even  the  man  in  Dispute  with  what  we  give 
him  the  Supplies  of  his  family  Exclusive  of  this  last  Trouble 
cannot  be  computed  at  less  than  £100  Lawful  money — 

Your  honours  are  Sensible  of  the  Grievous  burden  of  Taxes 
our  People  are  under  which  we  bear  with  Patience  as  appro- 
priated in  Defence  of  a Righteous  Cause,  but  add  to  all  this,  for 
the  People  of  Hollis  to  bear  the  Odious  name  of  being  Cor- 
rected for  Deficiency  while  Innocent,  this  may  it  please  your 
honours  causes  us  to  sigh  deeply  at  heart  and  is  it  not  enough 
to  fetch  Tears  from  our  Eyes  You  alone  Gentlemen  can  rec- 
tify this  matter  and  as  the  Eyes  of  Servants  are  to  their  masters, 
or  rather  as  the  Eyes  of  Children  full  of  Grief,  are  to  their 
Tender  Parents  so  our  Eyes  are  to  you,  while  we  Esteem  it 
a Blessing  of  heaven  that  we  have  those  at  the  head  of  Our 
affairs  who  are  ready  to  hear  and  we  have  not  in  our  hearts  to 
Suppose  your  honours  would  willingly  see  us  injured.  Where- 
fore we  implore  your  kind  interposition  in  this  matter  which 
so  nearly  concerns  us  and  that  no  advantage  may  be  taken  by 
reason  of  our  Papers  being  out  of  Our  hands  for  we  are  not 
disputing  a Nice  Point  in  the  Law  nor  are  we  able  to  for  we 
are  illiterate  men  and  want  nothing  but  Justice  if  we  offend  by 
Speaking  too  much  we  willingly  ask  Pardon  and  desire  to  Ac- 
quiesce in  your  Determination  while  with  duty  & Respect  we 
rest  your  honours  most  Obedient  & Humble  Servants — 

Hollis  Ocff  2i®‘  1783. 

W"^  Cumings  j Selectmen  of 

Solomon  Ward  well  > of 
Ebenezer  Jewet  j Hollis — 


[5-13 1 ] [_Relative  to  Articles  of  Confederation^  1^83.^ 

Hollis  Ocff  13^^  17S35  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hollis 
aforesaid  with  the  freeholders  being  met  on  adjournment  after 
having  maturely  debated  matters  under  Consideration — 

Voted,  that  our  Representative  use  his  inffuence  in  making 
the  propos’d  alteration,  respecting  the  eighth  Article  in  the 
Confederation  of  Perpetual  union  taken  from  the  Records — 

Attest  W”'  Cumings  Town  Clek 

Hollis  Ocff  30*^^  17S3 — 

Hon’^^  Council  & House  for  N.  HampE — 


HOLLIS. 


249 


[5—132]  \_Petition  of  Certain  Persoizs  to  be  set  o f to  Paby^ 
To  the  Town  of  Hollis — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitence  of  the  West- 
erly Part  of  s^^  Hollis,  Humbly  Sheweth  that  by  Reson  of  many 
Inconvenences  We  Labour  under  by  Living  in  such  a Remote 
part  of  Hollis  so  fare  from  meting  and  at  such  a Distence  from 
the  other  Inhabitence  of  s'^  town  that  We  are  Depriv‘d  in  a great 
measure  of  the  prevelege  of  Schoolling  and  by  Reson  of  the 
Badness  of  the  Rods  it  is  Verev  Deficult  for ‘sum  of  us  to  git 
to  the  Town  of  Hollis  and  at  sum  Sesons  of  the  year  it  is  Even 
impracticable  Except  We  first  goo  into  the  town  of  Raby  and 
travel  Sum  Ways  in  the  same  before  We  Enter  Hollis  again — 

and  as  we  live  much  more  Compact  with  the  Inhabitence  of 
Rabv  and  think  it  mite  be  more  Convenent  for  us  to  belongf  to 
the  town  of  Rabv  to  which  if  we  ware  set  of  it  is  Lickly  the 
s*^  Inhabitence  of  Raby  and  us  your  Petitioners  mite  both  Injoy 
the  preveleges  of  preaching  and  Schoolling — &c — in  a more  ful 
and  ample  manner  then  Ither  thay  or  us  can  under  our  present 
Sittuation  w^e  theirfore  beg  you  to  take  our  Case  into  your  Wise 
consideration  & if  you  in  your  Wisdom  can  see  fit  that  you 
would  give  your  Consent  to  have  a part  of  the  westerly  part  of 
Hollis  set  of  to  Raby — (that  is  that  part  that  Raby  formely  ex- 
pected) Begining  at  the  Sandy  bank  so  cold  at  Nissitisit  River 
and  from  thence  a North  pint  by  the  Nedel  acrost  Hollis  which 
we  humbly  conseve  would  not  be  a great  Dammag  to  Hollis 
But  Verey  advantagus  to  the  town  of  Raby — and  us  your  Peti- 
tioners 

December — 5 — 1 7S3 

James  M*^Donels  Simeon  Senter  James  mcDaniels  Jun 

jesse  parkins  Phinehas  Bennet  Jr  Joshua  Smith 

John  Cumings 

[The  foregoing  petition  did  not  meet  with  success,  and 
another  in  similar  language,  dated  “ Hollis  OcP  15 — 1785/’ 
was  sent  to  the  legislature,  signed  by  the  following  men  ; 

James  ISPDonell  Simeon  Senter  Ebns''  Gilson 

Jesse  parkins  Joshua  Smith  Joshua  Smith  Jur 

Thomas  Lawrence  Ezekiel  Proctor  Phinehas  Bennet. 

The  petition  was  opposed  by  Hollis,  as  may  be  seen  by 
the  following  document,  but  the  petitioners,  assisted  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Raby,  succeeded  in  procuring  the  passage  of 
an  act,  Feb.  17,  1786,  setting  off  a strip  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  wide  from  the  west  side  of  Hollis,  and  annexing  the 
same  to  Raby. — Ed.] 


250 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-136]  [ Opposition  of  Hollis  to  the  Petition  of  Raby^  ^7^5^ 

At  a legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hollis 
Sep‘  15*^785  _ 

Voted  that  this  Town  will  oppose  the  Petition  preferr’d  to 
the  Gen^  Court,  by  the  Town  of  Raby,  That  Daniel  Emerson 
Esq.  be  fully  impower’d  to  oppose  said  Petition,  also  voted  that 
Noah  Worcester  Esq.  Cap*  Dow  Ens.  Jerem^^  Ames  William 
Cumings  & Cap*  Goss,  be  a Committee  to  State  the  matter  fairly 
and  give  said  Emerson  Instructions  in  writing  relative  to  the 
same,  taken  from  the  Town  Records 

True  Copy  Attest  William  Cumings  Town  Clerk 

To  Daniel  Emerson  Esq.  Representative  for  the  Town  of 

Hollis — 

Agreeable  to  the  above  votes  of  the  Town  of  Hollis,  impow- 
ering  You  to  Oppose  the  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Raby,  & us 
to  give  you  Instructions  thereon.  You  are  hereby  instructed  to 
oppose  said  Petition — in  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Hollis,  for  the 
following  Reasons  (viz). 

first  as  the  said  Petitioners  represent  their  Weakness  and  in- 
ability to  Support  the  Gospel  or  maintain  Schools,  it  cannot  be 
supposed  that  the  addition  of  nine  families  Settled  on  such  a 
Tract  of  Land  as  they  Represent  unfit  for  Cultivation  if  Grant- 
ed could  remove  the  Difficulties  of  which  they  complain — 

3^*  as  they  represent  in  said  Petition,  that  they  at  their  Incorpo- 
ration had  reason  to  expect  some  further  help  from  said  Town 
of  Hollis,  that  we  know  of  no  Reason  that  they  had  to  expect 
any  such  thing  unless  it  was  by  some  mistake  in  their  own 
Measure  as  they  themselves  measured  it  before  the  incorpora- 
tion, that  the  Town  of  Hollis  never  measured  nor  Joined  in 
Measuring  until  after  the  Incorporation,  That  the  Votes  of  the 
Town  of  Hollis,  previous  to  said  incorporation  of  Raby  were 
design’d  to  fix  the  meeting  House  in  the  Sentre  of  the  Town 
east  & west,  which  Votes  of  said  Town  were  confirmed  by  the 
Charter  of  the  Town  of  Raby — 

3*^  That  as  they  in  their  Petition  request  to  begin  at  the  Great 
Sand  Bank  so  Called,  and  run  a Paralel  line  with  the  Town  of 
Raby  opposite  to  their  Northeast  Corner,  then  a closing  line  to 
their  Northeast  Corner,  which  if  granted  will  leave  a Tract  of 
land  with  a Number  of  inhabitants  on  the  same  about  two  miles 
Square,  belonging  to  Hollis,  at  the  northerly  end  of  Raby  ex- 
tending as  far  west  as  the  west  line  of  Raby  excepting  the 
width  of  the  mile  Strip — 

4*^^  That  the  meeting-House  in  Hollis  now  stands  on  a plat 
of  Ground  which  it  seems  nature  form’d  for  that  purpose  being 
pleasantly  Situated,  that  the  Town  has  been  at  a Great  Expence 


HOLLIS. 


251 


in  laying  Out  and  making  Roads  to  accommodate  the  same, 
which  well  convenes  the  Inhabitants  from  all  parts  of  said  Town 
That  if  said  Petition  should  be  granted,  consequently,  the  meet- 
ing house  would  not  be  in  the  sentre  of  the  Town — which  may 
probably  cause  an  uneasiness  in  the  Easterly  part  of  y®  Town, 
which  might  cause  the  Town  to  live  in  Contention  or  lay  them 
under  the  disagreeable  Necessity  of  building  a New  meeting 
house,  and  of  being  at  a Vast  expence  to  accommodate  Roads, 
to  the  same,  which  never  can  be  done  with  that  Convenience 
that  it  now  is — 

Noah  Worcester') 

Hollis  Sep'"  28^*^  Reuben  Dow  ] Com*®®  in  behalf 
1785 — Jeremiah  Ames  of  y®  Town  of 

W™  Cumings  Hollis — 

John  Goss 


[5“^33]  \_Petitio7i  foi-  iy84.'] 


To  his  Excellency  the  president  and  Hon*’*®  Council  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

We  the  subscribers  principal  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Hollis,  By  this  our  petition 

humblv  Shew  : That  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town 
are  numerous  : Business  frequently  Arises  which  requires  the^ 
Aid  of  an  assistance  of  two  Justices.  Unus  Qiiorum  : for  wan 
of  whom  we  are  often  put  to  great  Inconveniency  besides  Trav 
eling  to  a distance  to  get  our  Business  accomplished.  There" 
fore  we  desire  that  we  might  be  Indulg’d  the  priviledge  of 
having  two  Justices  in  s'*  Town  and  that  one  of  them  might  be 
of  the  Quorum  ; and  as  Daniel  Emerson  Jun*"  our  Representitive 
for  the  time  being;  Is  a person  of  Fidelity  & Trust  universally 
esteem’d  and  one  who  (we  conceive)  will  give  the  greatest  Con- 
tent we  beg  Leave  to  recommend  him  to  your  favour.  And  that 
he  might  be  appointed  and 'commissioned  as  a Justice  of  the 
peace  ; in  Addition  to  the  present,  and  as  In  Duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray — 

Hollis  June  2**  1784 — 


William  Poole 
Uriah  Wright 
Benj“  Wright 
William  wood 
Daniel  Bay  ley  Junr 
Eben  Farley 
Stephen  Farley 
Timothy  Emerson  jr 


William  Read 
Solomon  Wardwell 
Nathan  Colburn 
Daniel  Kendrick 
Aaron  Bavley 
Benjamin  Farley 
Nehemiah  Hardv 


Jacob  mooar 
Ephraim  Lund 
Stephen  Jewett 
Elijah  Clark 
Joseph  Nevens 
Jonathan  Taylor 
Joel  Bay  ley 
Timothy  Emerson 


252 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Thomas  Emerson 
Daniel  Kendrick 
Jur 

Isaac  Hardy 
Abram  Boynton 
Eliphelet  Brown 
Caleb  Stiles 
John  Attwill 
Joseph  Wheat 
Nicholas  yoimgman 
Nathan  Phelps 
James  Farley 
Timothy  french 
George  Abbott 
Benjamin  Abbott 
Ephram  Pirce 
Simon  perce 
David  ernes 
Francis  Powers 


Benjamin  Emerson 
Benj*^  Colburn 
Samuel  Hayden 
Oliver  Bowers 
Levy  Hardy 
Joseph  Haskell 
Joshua  Smith 
Fifield  Holt 
John  Willoughbv 
John  Phelps 
Sam''  Jonson 
Benj  Farley  third 
Jonas  woods 
Amos  Eastman 
Joseph  Haywood 
Jonathan  Dix 
Isreel  kinney 
Joseph  Lasley 
Abijah  Smith 


Benj*"  Astin 
Silas  Spaulding 
Oliver  Bowers  Ju' 
Benjamin  Nevens 
Jonas  Leslie 
Francis  Blood 
Jacob  Jewet  Ju 
Sam  Willoughby 
Samuel  Wright 
Lemuel  wright 
Caleb  Farley  Jur 
W"^  Cumings 
Jonathan  Eastman 
Josiah  Woodbury 
Cvrus  Proctor 
John  attwill  Jun 
William  Brooks 


[This  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  Dea.  Emerson  as 
requested. — Ed.] 


H OOKSETT. 

This  town  was  incorporated  by  an  act  approved  July  2, 
1822,  and  was  composed  of  portions  of  the  towns  of  Ches- 
ter, Dunbarton,  and  Goffstown  ; set  off  from  those  towns  in 
answer  to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants.  The  name  “ Isle 
au  Hooksett”  and  “Isle  au  Hooksett  Falls”  was  attached 
to  the  locality  many  years  before  the  incorporation  and  nam- 
ing of  the  town,  but  the  editor  is  unable  to  ascertain  its 
derivation.  As  long  ago  as  1746,  a pond  in  the  north  part 
of  Chester  was  called  “ Isle  Kook’s  pond,”  by  one  of  Capt. 
Ladd’s  scouts,  who  says  they  camped  near  it.  It  is  now 
known  as  Lakin’s  pond.  I am  inclined  to  think  the  locality 
was  named  by  Indians  or  Canadian  French. 

The  following  documents  do  not  relate  to  Hooksett  as  a 
town,  but  to  the  locality,  and  for  that  reason  are  given  in 
this  place. 

A slight  change  was  made  in  the  boundaries  of  the  town 
Jan.  5,  1853,  when  a small  tract  was  severed  from  Hooksett 
and  annexed  to  Allenstown. 


HOOKSETT. 


253 


C5“^53]  \_yoshua  Abbott  for  a Ferry  ^ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  convened  at 
Concord  the  Day  of  June  17S2 — 

We  the  Subscribers  inhabiting  near  Isle  a Huckset  Falls  on 
Merrimack  River  apprehend  a Ferry  is  much  wanted  at  or  near 
said  Falls,  which  would  greatly  accommode  the  Public,  and 
Joshua  Abbott  having  purchased  a Piece  of  Land  and  bargained 
for  a Boat  in  order  to  keep  said  Ferry,  W^herefore  your  Peti- 
tioners humbly  pray  that  your  Honors  would  make  a Grant  of 
said  P^erry  to  said  Abbott  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray — 


Laben  Hereman 
John  H art 

Jonathan 

John  Carter 
NatlP  Abbott 
Ebene^  Hall 
Timothy  Hall 
Abner  danders 
Richard  danders 
Richard  danders 
Olivr  danders 

Phenehas 

N.  C.  Abbott 
Rob*  Harris 
Benja  Hanaford 
Enoch  Brown 
Nath  Green 
Daniel  Hall 
John  Blanchard 
Richard  Aver 
Will  iam  mestin  ji 
Moses  Carter 


William  Fideld 
John  Odlin 
Samuel  Davis 
Bruce  Walker 
Joseph  Carter 
William  Brown 
Brown  John 
John  Carr 
Simeon  Carr 
Dan  Stickney 
Sm**  Willard 
Thomas  Cochran 
Francis  Mitchell 
Daniel  Brown 
Ephraim  Kinsman 
James  Moor 
Epliraim  moor 
Moses  moor 
Luther  Clay 
Tim®  Walker  Jun*" 
Joshua  Abbott 
Daniel  Abbott 


Joseph  Abbot 
David  george 
Aaron  Stevens 
Stephen  farington 
Timothy  Bradley 
Enoch  Coffin 
Philip  Abbott 
Nathan  Green 

Paltiah 

Stephen  Hall 
Joseph  Haseltine 
Thos  Stickney 
Thomas  Chandler 
Samuel  P'arrington 
Ephraim  Colby 
James  Walker 
Stephen  Abbot 
Stephen  Kimball 
Benj®  Fifeld 
Robert  Davis 
Micah  Flanders 
Daniel  Carter 


[Mr.  Abbott  did  not  obtain  the  grant. — Ed.] 


[5-154]  \_Dustl?t  and  Alar  tin  for  a Ferry  ^ i’j82d\ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  Now  Convened  at  Concord  In  said  State — 
We  the  Petitioners  John  Dusten  & Daniel  martin  of  Chester 
In  the  County  of  Rockingham  in  said  State  humbly  sheweth 
that  your  petitioners  has  Lived  many  Years  In  said  Chester  on 
the  Bank  of  merimack  River  In  such  asituation  for  keeping  a 


254 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Ferry,  as  Is  Very  convenient  to  accommodate  a great  Number 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  Goffestown  Dunbarton  and  of  many  other 
towns  a bove  who  have  Occasion  to  travil  to  the  Lower  Part  of 
this  and  the  massachusetts  State  that  highways  have  been  Laid 
out  by  the  town  Joining  on  both  Sides  of  the  River  to  said 
Place  and  well  made  and  Repaired  and  that  Your  Petitioners 
has  been  at  a considerable  Expence  In  building  and  maindening 
of  boats  and  giving  constant  attendance  to  Ferry  People  across 
for  more  than  sixteen  years  when  the  profets  was  Very  Incon- 
siderable and  In  Nowise  Equal  to  the  Expence  and  that  there 
is  now  considerable  traviling  and  dayly  increasing  Being  found 
to  be  Very  advantageous  to  the  publick  and  that  your  Petition- 
ers suspects  that  a petition  will  be  prefered  to  your  Honours 
for  a Licence  to  keep  a ferry  on  said  River  about  two  or  three 
miles  up  said  river  from  where  your  petitioners  keeps  their 
ferry  (where  there  are  no  Roads  Laid  out  on  neither  side  of 
the  River  to  the  place)  with  an  Intent  to  prevent  your  petition- 
ers  from  any  profit  by  their  ferry  wherefore  your  petitioners 
humbly  prays  that  you  would  grant  them  a Licence  to  keep  a 
ferry  where  they  now  Does  and  that  if  a petition  shall  be  pre- 
fered as  Suspected  that  you  would  Dismiss  the  same  or  appoint 
a Commitee  In  the  Vicinity  to  View  the  place  proposed  for  a 
ferry  with  the  place  for  Roads  on  both  sides  of  the  river  as  well 
as  your  petitioners  ferry  and  the  Roads  leading  to  and  from  the 
same  and  make  Report  that  your  petitioners  may  have  an  op- 
portunity of  appearing  on  Any  future  day  you  may  appoint  to 
shew  cause  and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  Ever 
Pray— 

Chester  June  1782  John  Dusten 

Daniel  martin 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Nov.  19,  1782,  a committee  having  viewed 
the  premises  reported  in  favor  of  establishing  the  ferry  asked 
for  by  Dustin  and  Martin,  instead  of  the  one  asked  for  by 
Mr.  Abbott,  and  a vote  giving  leave  in  accordance  therewith 
passed  the  assembly.  The  locality  is  still  known  as  Mar- 
tin’s Ferry. — Ed.] 


[5-155]  \_McGregore  and  Duncan  for  Exclusive  Privilege 
of  Locking  Hooksett  Palls, 

To  the  honb*®  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  for  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire,  convened  at  Exeter  on  Wednesday 
the  25“^  of  Dec.  1793. — 

Humbly  shew  your  petitioners,  that  they  conceive  the  advan- 
tages arising  from  canals  opened  round  the  falls  of  Rivers  in  a 


HOPKINTON. 


255 


Country  of  such  vast  extent  as  ours,  and  at  a great  distance 
from  the  sea-ports,  to  be  almost  innumerable.  That  the  enter- 
prize  and  public  spirit  of  the  present  age,  have  afforded  ample 
proofs  of  this,  and  have  inspired  your  petitioners  with  an  in- 
tention of  commencing  a work  of  such  universal  utility.  That, 
should  the  river  Merrimac,  as  is  projected,  be  made  navigable 
for  boats,  timber  &c  from  its  mouth,  round  Amoskeig-falls ; 
the  benevolent  intention  of  the  legislature  would  be  rendered 
quite  useless,  unless  a canal  was  also  cut,  for  that  purpose,  by 
Isle-a-hooksett-falls,  upon  the  same  river  and  above  the  said 
falls  of  Amoskeig.  Your  petitioners  are  sensible  that  an  un- 
dertaking of  this  nature  is  hazardous  and  expensive,  and  at- 
tended with  almost  insurmountable  difficulties. — But  that  the 
public  may  be  accommodated  with  a work  of  such  obvious 
utility,  your  petitioners  have  resolved,  with  the  encouragement 
of  the  legislature,  to  cut  and  perfect  a canal  round  the  said 
Isle-a-hooksett-falls  with  all  possible  deligence. — 

They  therefore  pray,  that  this  honorable  body  would  grant 
to  them  the  exclusive  privilege  of  cutting  a canal  round  said 
Isle-a-hooksett-falls,  for  said  convenient  purpose  of  navigating 
boats,  timber  &c,  by  said  falls  with  safety  and  dispatch  ; and 
that  they  would  allow  them  such  reasonable  toll  to  compensate 
their  trouble  and  expence  as  they  may  think  proper.  And  that 
they  may  have  leave  to  bring  in  a bill  accordingly.  And  as  in 
duty  bound  will  ever  pray. — 

Exeter  January  i794* — Robert  ATGregore 

William  Duncan 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Jan.  4,  1794,  the  petitioners  were  granted 
leave  to  bring  in  a bill.  Subsequently  the  privilege  asked 
for  was  granted,  and  the  same  was  extended  in  1797. — Ed.] 


HOPKINTON. 

This  town  was  granted  by  the  government  of  Massachu- 
setts, Jan.  16,  1735,  and  was  No.  5 in  the  “line  of  towns” 
granted  by  that  province  on  territory  which  the  settlement  of 
thelinein  1741  decreed  to  be  in  New  Hampshire.  The  grant- 
ees were  men  of  Hopkinton,  Mass  , and  this  township  was 
called  New  Hopkinton  until  it  was  incorporated  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council  of  New  Hampshire,  Jan.  10,  1765. 

John  Jones,  of  Hopkinton,  Mass.,  was  authorized,  Nov. 


256 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


24,  1736,  by  the  general  court  of  that  province  to  call  a 
meeting  of  the  grantees  of  No.  5. 

The  grant  of  this  town  covered  some  of  the  territory  con- 
tained in  the  grant  to  Bow  by  the  government  of  New 
Hampshire  in  1727,  and  trouble  arising  in  regard  to  collect- 
ing the  province  tax,  an  act  was  passed  Dec.  13,  1763,  de- 
creeing that  Abel  Kimball,  Timothy  Kimball,  Timothy 
Clements,  Eliphalet  Colby,  Green  French,  John  Chadwick, 
Abraham  Kimball,  Jeremiah  Kimball,  James  Kimball,  Moses 
Straw,  Jonathan  Straw,  John  Eastman,  William  Peters, 
Hezekiah  Foster,  Jeremiah  Kimball,  Jr.,  Thomas  Jewell, 
Reuben  Kimball,  Daniel  Watson,  Obediah  Perry,  Joshua 
Bayley,  John  Kimball,  John  Jewell,  Parker  Flanders,  Isaac 
Colby,  Thomas  Hoit,  the  widow  Susanna  Kimball,  and 
their  estates,  which  were  within  the  limits  of  Bow  grant, 
should  be  joined  to  the  “ District  of  New  Hopkinton." 
(See  Vol.  IX,  p.  406.)  A house  was  built  “near  the  meet- 
ing house  spot”  by  Henry  Mellen,  prior  to  Sept.  30,  1738, 
as  a proprietors’  meeting  was  called  to  be  held  in  his  house 
at  that  time. 

Among  the  early  settlers  was  John  Jones,  who  settled  in 
the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  Aaron  Kimball  from  Brad- 
ford, Mass.,  came  about  1739,  and  built  a fort  about  a mile 
east  of  the  present  village  of  Hopkinton.  He  was  the  father 
of  Abraham  Kimball,  the  first  white  male  child  born  in 
town.  Samuel  and  John  Putney,  from  Amesbury,  Mass., 
built  a fort  on  what  is  known  as  Putney’s  Hill.  David 
Woodwell  came  from  Hopkinton,  Mass.,  and  built  a fort 
near  the  location  of  the  present  village  of  Contoocook  ; the 
place  is  identified  by  the  depression  made  in  excavating  the 
cellar.  It  was  surprised  by  Indians  in  April,  1746,  and 
eight  persons  captured.  The  first  minister  was  James 
Scales  ; the  second,  Elijah  Fletcher,  from  Westford,  Mass., 
ordained  Jan.  27,  1773.  His  daughter.  Gratia,  was  the  first 
wife  of  Daniel  Webster. 

The  township  was  within  the  bounds  of  “ Mason’s  Patent,” 
and  was  regranted  by  the  Masonian  Proprietors,  Nov.  30, 
1750,  to  Henry  Mellen  and  others,  but  for  what  considera- 
tion is  unknown. 

The  legislature  held  sessions  in  this  town  in  1798,  1801, 
1806,  and  1807  ; and  it  was  for  some  years  one  of  the  shire 
towns  of  Hillsborough  county,  prior  to  the  formation  of 
Merrimack  county  in  1823. 


HOPKINTON. 


257 


The  reader  is  indebted  for  much  of  the  foregoing  to 
C.  C.  Lord,  Esq.,  who  kindly  furnished  the  editor  with  an 
able  article,  the  result  of  much  research,  from  which  ex- 
tracts have  been  made. 


To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq^  Captain  General,  and 
Governour  in  chief,  in  and  over  his  Majestys  Province  of 
New-Hampshire  ; And  vice  Admiral  of  the  same — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Hopkinton,  in  the  County 
of  Hillsborough  in  the  Province  of  New-Hampshire  aforesaid, 
in  Town-Meeting  assembled,  on  Thursday  the  twenty  eighth 
Day  of  October,  Anno  Domini  1773,  and  in  the  fourteenth  Year 
of  his  Majesty’s  Reign,  humbly  Sheweth — 

That  whereas  your  humble  Petitioners  think  it  would  be  an 
Advantage  to  them  to  be  represented  in  the  great  General  Court 
of  this  Province  by  a Man  of  their  own  Town,  and  of  their 
own  ch using.  Therefore  we  humbly  |3ray  that  your  Excellency 
would,  in  your  great  Goodness  grant  us  the  Liberty  & Privilege 
of  chusing  & sending  a Man  to  the  General  Court  for  that  Pur- 
pose, now,  and  for  the  future — For  which  Goodness,  Your 
humble  Petitioners,  for  your  Excellency,  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  pray — 

Voted  in  the  said  Meeting,  That  CapP  John  Putney  prefer 
the  above  Petition  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour. 


j_5-i5i]  \_Relative  to  the  Formation  of  Cotinties^  iy/2.^ 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wintworth  Esquirer  Captain  general 
and  governour  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Maiest}’s  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  Same — 

To  the  Honourable  his  Alajestys  Council  And  to  the  Honour- 
able House  of  Representatives  in  general  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  and  free  Holders  of  Hopkin- 


* Joshua  Bayley  came  from  Plymouth,  Mass.,  prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  and 
settled  about  a mile  east  of  the  present  village  ; commanded  a company  at  Bennington  ; was 
at  Stillwater  in  1777,  and  in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition  in  1778.  He  died  April  9,  1806,  at 
the  age  of  68. — Ed. 


[5-152]  \^Petition  for  the  Privilege  of  having  a Repre- 
sentative^ 


Joshua  Bayley*  Town  Clerk 


in  the  Name  & Behalf 
of  the  Town 


258 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ton  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  and  Province  aforesaid  hum- 
bly Sheweth  That  whereas  some  Defficulty  has  arisen  of  Late 
among  us  in  this  town  which  we  cannot  decide  our  Selves  and 
which  we  think  Requires  the  Wisdom  and  Authority  of  the 
Honourable  general  Court  to  adjust  and  Determine.  We  there- 
fore your  Humble  Petitioners  hereby  apply  our  selves  to  your 
Excellency  and  your  Honours  with  all  Humillity  for  Direction 
and  help — Our  Difficulty  began  Emediately  after  the  Publica- 
tion of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Province  approved  of 
by  his  Majesty  in  Council  for  Dividing  said  Province  in  Coun- 
tys  which  after  following  the  first  County  Line,  from  the  mouth 
of  Piscatqua  River  Round  to  Concord  Line  (It  says)  Thence 
Round  the  westerly  lines  of  Bow  Concord  and  Pembroke  to 
Merrimack  River — which  if  it  means  the  westerly  line  of  Bow 
as  it  was  first  laid  out  or  the  Line  to  which  we  the  Inhabitents 
of  said  Hopkinton  purchased — Then  it  will  Nessacarily  follow 
that  all  that  Part  of  said  Hopkinton  which  was  within  Bows 
Claim  is  in  the  County  of  Rockinham  and  then  said  Hopkinton 
is  divided  part  into  the  county  of  Rockingham  and  part  into  the 
county  of  Hillsborough  which  makes  a great  difficulty  respecting 
our  town  affairs  therefore  we  your  Humble  Petitioners  Earnestly 
pray  that  your  Excellency  and  your  Honours  would  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  take  the  matter  into  your  Judicious  Consid- 
eration and  Resolve  us  in  this  thing  (Viz)  Whether  your  Hon- 
ours ment  or  Intended  that  all  Hopkinton  agreeable  to  their 
Incorporation  should  be  in  the  Count}"  of  Hillsborough  or 
Whether  you  Intended  that  all  that  part  of  Hopkinton  that  was 
formerly  in  Bows  Claim  Should  be  in  the  County  of  Rockin- 
ham if  the  former  we  are  fully  satisfied  but  if  y®  Latter  we 
humbly  Beg  that  vour  Exelency  and  Honours  would  so  order 
and  Determine  that  all  our  said  town  may  be  in  the  County  of 
Hillsborough  and  that  we  may  be  all  one  as  we  were  agreeable 
to  an  act  of  the  Honourable  General  Court  in  January  1765  by 
which  act  all  that  part  of  said  Hopkinton  that  was  within  Bows 
Claim  was  separated  from  said  Bow  and  was  joined  with  and 
United  to  said  Plopkinton  to  all  Intents  and  Purposes  for  which 
Favour  your  Humble  Petitioners  for  your  Exellency  and  Hon- 
ours as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Dated  at  Hopkinton  May  y®  ^77^ 

Signed  by 

John  Putney  A Committee  apointed 
Isaac  Chandler  | by  and  in  the  name 
Abel  Kimball  and  behalf  of  the 

Joshua  Bayley  1 town  of  Hopkinton 
James  Scales  j 


HOPKINTON. 


259 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  May  27,  1772,  “Voted  that  the  whole  of 
said  Hopkinton  be  determined  to  belong  to  the  County  of 
Hillsborough.” 

Council  concurred. — Ed.] 


[5-150]  \^Proceedings  of  a Tow^i- Meeting ^ I'j'j 2 

At  a meeting  Legally  Cold  and  Held  at  the  meeting  House 
in  Hopkinton  on  thirsday  the  2 Day  of  January  1772  at  one  of 
the  Clock  in  the  afternoon  then  Vote  on  the  foiewing  articles 

1 Voted  that  Capt  Putney  moderator  to  Regulate  Said  meet- 
ing 

2 Voted  to  send  a man  to  Portsmouth  to  See  if  the  Town  is 
Devided  in  to  two  Countys 

3 Voted  that  Leiu*  Jonathan  Straw  Should  be  the  man  that 
is  to  Represent  the  Concarns  of  the  Town  to  the  Gineral  Court 
with  a Petition  to  have  all  of  the  Town  in  one  County 

4 Voted  that  James  Scales  Esqu*’  Cap*^  Putney  Leiu*  Chandler 
Abel  Kimbal  and  Joshua  Bayley  be  a Committe  to  Sine  a Pe- 
tition in  the  Towns  be-half  to  Send  to  the  Gineral  Court 

a true  Copy  taken  of  from  the  Records  By  me — 

Joshua  Bayley  Town  Clerk 

Hopkinton  may  25  1772 


[5-149]  \_Relative  to  the  Fo7'7tiatio7i  of  Cou7ities, 

Province  of  New-Hampshire  Hopkinton,  May  25**^  1772. 

Pursuant,  and  in  Obedience  to  an  Order  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  this  Province,  bearing  Date  May  2o‘^  ^77^’  brought 
hither  by  Lieu*  Jonathan  Straw  of  this  Town,  last  week  ; Said 
Order  having  Reference  to  a Petition,  signed  by  a Committee 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Hopkinton,  & presented  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  by  the  said  L*  Straw' ; said  Petition  bearing  Date, 
May  8**^  ^77^'  ^ Joshua  Bayley  One  of  the  Committee  that 

signed  the  said  Petition,  served  the  major  Part  of  those  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Hopkinton  who  live  within  the  Township  of 
Bow  w ith  the  said  Petition  and  Order,  by  reading  both  to  them  ; 
and  then  leaving  a Copy  of  the  said  Petition  wdth  one  of  them, 
viz.  m’'  John  Jew^ett. 

And  we,  Nathan*  Clements,  & Timothy  Farnham  of  said 
Hopkinton,  went  with  the  said  Joshua  Bayley,  from  House  to 
House  among  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Hopkinton  who  live 
within  the  Towmship  of  Bow,  and  heard  the  said  Bayley  read 


26o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  said  Petition,  and  Order  to  the  Major  Part  of  said  Inhabi- 
tants ; on  Saturday  the  23*^  day  of  this  instant  May  ; and  on  this 
25‘^  Day,  in  the  Evening  of  said  Day,  we  saw  the  said  Bayley 
deliver  a Copy  of  the  said  Petition  and  Order  to  m’'  John  Jew- 
ett, aforesaid,  to  be  left  with  him  the  said  John  Jewett 

Joshua  Bayley 
Nathaniel  Clement 
Timothy  Farnham 

[Sworn  to  before  James  Scales. — Ed.] 


[5-148]  [ Capt,  Stillson  relative  to  Soldiers^  ///d.] 

Hopkinton  July  the  19^^ 

S'"  I,  Can  Inform  you  that  m'^  Hoit  has  Enlisted  Fourteen 
men,  and  they  have  passed  muster  and  Paid  by  Colonel  Walker, 
as  the  men  Chuse  him  for  an  Officer  and  to  go  With  me,  I un- 
derstood by  your  Honours  that  any  man  that  wou’d  Enlist  a 
Num^*'  Sufficient  should  be  intitled  to  a Commission,  it  is  Reck- 
on’d he  can  Git  a Num'^^  more  if  he  Can  be  Sure  of  a Com- 
mission 

From  your  Hum^®  Seiwant — 

* W“  Stillson 

To  ColP  meshech  Ware 


[5-147]  \^yohn  Hale  declines  the  Appointment  of  Major ^ 

i777-~] 

Plopkinton  March  y®  3*^  ^777 — 

Hon*^  Sir — 

I am  informed  by  Cap*^  Livermore  that  you  have  wrote  me 
two  Letters  neither  of  wdiich  has  com  to  hand  I acknowledg  my 
self  much  indebted  to  you  for  the  HoiP  you  have  done  me  in 
appointing  me  to  the  office  of  maj^ — when  I consider  the  im- 
portance of  the  post  & how  much  I fall  short  in  filling  it  my 
Excepting  would  rather  Injure  then  help  that  Service  which  I 
have  much  at  heart.  I am  also  settled  in  a New  Country  Dis- 
tant from  Neighbors  & must  be  under  the  Disagreeable  necesa- 
tity  of  breaking  up  house  keeping  which  will  almost  put  me  in 
a ruinous  Condition.  Humbly  beg  yoiP  be  pleased  to  appoint 
Some  other  person  in  my  Room  & am  Gentleman  your  most 
obedient  & very  Humble  Serv* — John  Hale — 


HOPKINTON. 


261 


[5-146] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  Assembly  Convenied  at  Exe- 
ter— 

May  it  please  your  Honours  your  Humble  Petetionor  having 
Lately  come  out  of  the  Service  of  the  United  States  with  his 
two  sons  and  wanting  Lands  to  Settle  on  has  taken  up  three 
hundred  acres  of  Land  one  hundred  for  himself  and  one  hun- 
dred for  each  of  his  said  sons  on  that  tract  of  Land  called  Fish- 
ersfield  which  was  Granted  to  John  Fisher  Esq^  who  is  Sup- 
posed to  be  an  enemy  to  the  Glorious  Cause  of  Liberty  now 
Contending  for  by  the  United  states  of  America — and  as  such 
your  Humble  Petetionor  Supposes  that  the  Lands  of  the  said 
Fisher  will  be  forfited  to  this  State  and  of  Consequence  be  dis- 
posed of  by  the  Authority  of  the  same  should  this  be  the  Case 
and  the  Matter  come  Under  your  Honours  Judicious  Consider- 
ation your  humble  Petetionor  prays  that  he  and  his  sons  may 
be  Quieted  in  their  Possessions  and  be  considered  as  Settlers 
or  have  the  Liberty  of  purchasing  their  lands  as  wild  Lands 
without  Its  being  Exposed  to  Publick  Sale — And  your  humble 
Petetionor  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Hopkinton  May  y®  14*^  ^77^ 

Timothy  Clements 


[The  foregoing  was  dismissed. — Ed.] 


[5-145]  \^Remonstrance  to  the  Appointfnent  of  Benjamin 

Wig-gin,  178s. 

To  His  Exelencv — 

President  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  ; — and  to  His 
Hoif*  Privy  Council ; — « 

We  Petitioners  humbly  sheweth  ; That  whereas  the  Town 
of  Hopkinton,  has  Been  Very  Unanimous  In  the  Cause  of 
America,  in  Y®  Late  struggle  with  Create  Britton  Except  A 
few  Persons,  who  always  in  Discourse  and  Actions  Seemed  to 
Us  ; To  favour  Britton  and  to  be  Against  the  Causes  of  Amer- 
ica ; and  we  Understand  one  of  those  person  Are  in  Nomin’tion 
to  Bee  A Magistrate  in  this  Town,  Viz  ; M*"  Benjamin  Wiggin  ; 
if  he  Should  Attain  to  that  Office  We  think  would  be  Very 
Disagreeable  to  the  People  of  this  Towm  in  General,  therefore 
Our  Petition  to  Exelency  and  Hon®  is  that  You  would  Neg- 
lect putting  the  Above  Named  M*"  Wiggin  into  Office  ; and  in 
Sted  Thereof  Would  Grant  S*^  Office  to  Some  person  Which 


262 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


has  Appear‘d  to  be  A steady  Good  friend  to  his  Country, — and 
Y'  Petitioners  As  in  Deuty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray. — 

Hopkinton  Nov*'  2^^  17S5. 


Peter  How 
John  Chadwick 
Eliphelet  colby 
John  Clement 
Moses  Gould 
Jonathan  Chase 
David  Kimball 
Elias  Gould 
Robert  Knowlton 
William  D : Colby 


Joseph  Chandler 
Thomas  Webber 
Stephen  Harriman 
Thomas  Bayley 
Jonathan  Straw 
Abel  Kimball 
Jacob  Straw 
David  Fellows 
Henry  Blake 
John  George 


Enoch  Long 
John  Putney 
Enoch  Eastman 
Isaac  Chandler 
Joshua  Morse 
Isaac  Bayley 
Enoch  Long  J*" 
Samuel  Chase 


[5-144]  \_Petition  for  the  Appointment  of  Benjamin  Wig"- 
gin  as  a Magistrate^ 


To  his  Exellency  John  Sullivan  Esq*"  President  of  the  State  of 
Newhampshire  and  to  the  Honourable  Privy  Council  in 
Concord  Convean’d 


Whereas  Wee  your  Humble  Petitioners  understand  that  M' 
Benj'^  Wiggin  of  Hopkinton  hath  been  on  the  List  for  a Justice 
of  the  Peace  but  as  yet  hath  not  been  appointed  to  the  Dissa- 
pointment  of  us  your  humble  Petitioners  and  perhaps  Many 
others,  alltho  there  are  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  Town  all- 
ready yet  Wee  humbly  Conceive  it  to  be  Convenient  to  have 
one  more  and  as  M*'  Wiggin  in  our  opinions  is  as  Well  Qualli- 
fy’d  as  any  Person  in  town  in  a Convenient  Situation  and  a 
person  well  Dispos’d  humbly  pray  he  may  be  appointed  Justice 
of  the  peace  and  Wee  as  in  Duty  bound  Will  Ever  pray 

Hopkinton  14*^  June  1786 


Jaems  Emerson 
Benj  thurber 
Rich‘S  Cresy 
John  Ardway 
Caleb  Burbank 
Moses  Titcomb 
William  putney 
Joshua  Clement 
Jon®^  Herrick  Ju®*' 
moses  Clement 
John  Farnham 
Noah  Pearson 


francis  thurber 
William  Stanley 
John  Ardway  Jur 
Thomas  Bickford 
Lawrence  M®Laugh 
lin 

David  Clement 
James  Buswell 
John  Webber 
James  Smith 
Timothy  farnham 
John  Currier 


Ralph  Cross 
John  Eastman 
Joseph  ardway 
Joseph  Putnee 
David  Young 
Nathaniel  Clement 
Nicholas  C Buswell 
Tappan  Evans 
Daniel  Stickney 
Jons  Clough 


HOPKINTON. 


263 


£5—143]  \_Another  Petition  in  favor  of  Wiggin^  i'/86.'\ 

I 

To  his  Excellency  John  Landon  Esq®*"  Presedent  of  the  State  of 
New  hampshire  and  to  the  Honourable  Privy  Council  Next 
Sitting  at  Portsmouth 


Whereas  We  3’our  Humble  Petitioners  are  Informed  that  there 
was  a Petition  Prefered  to  your  Excellency  and  your  Honours 
at  your  Last  Sessions  at  Concord  Intimating  that  M*"  Benj^  Wig- 
gin  of  Hopkinton  Was  unfrindly  to  the  Cuntrey  in  the  Late 
war  Which  wee  Believe  to  be  groundless  wee  Never  Knew  but 
that  m*'  Wiggin  freely  and  Voluntarily  offerarded  his  assistence 
through  the  whole  war  Nither  do  wee  know  of  aney  unfriendly 
act  by  him  Perpetrated  but  in  our  opinions  is  well  disposd  and 
in  Some  good  measure  quallifyd  and  wee  your  Humble  Peti- 
tioners Pray  that  he  may  be  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
wee  in  duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray 


Hopkinton  24*^  January  1786 


William  Morison 
phinehas  Campbell 
simeon  pope 
Moses  Adams 
Jo®  Marsh 
Samuel  Barr 
Oliver  Noyes 
Thomas  Brown 
David  morrill 
Daniel  Tyler 
Micah  How 
Jesse  Campbell 
Benjamin  Currier 
Joseph  Lewis 
Jonathan  Parrish 
John  Morrill 


Wheeler  Wilder 
Samuel  Kimball 
Jn°  Goodenow 
John  Tucker 
Elisha  Barns 
Luke  Eager 
Nehemiah  How 
Nathaniel  Joslyn 
Edw*^  blunter. 

JoB  Campbell 
Noah  Amsden 
Benj"  Hovt 
Eben  herrimen 
Nathan  Putney 
Frances  griams  ior 
Ephraim  morril 


David  Bowman 
Joseph  Gibson 
William  Sawyer 
Joseph  Eager 
Jonathan  Sawyer 
Joshua  Heath 
EbeiF  Howe 
Francis  Whittiar 
Levi  Kemp 
William  Chambers 
Samuel  Dunlap  . 
John  Campball 
Win  Partrick 
Joshua  Wright 
Elijah  Kemp 
Gideon  Adams 


[On  another  petition,  No.  141,  of  same  date,  and  for  the 
same  purpose,  are  the  following  names  : — Ed.] 


John  Tewksbury 
Timothy  Wiley 
Nathaniel  Fifield 
Archibald  Stinson 
Jn®  Webber 
Da'"  Young 
John  Currier 
Aquila  Davis 


Isaac  Babson 
Jacob  Stanly 
James  Hogg 
Wil’^  Tenny 
Jonathan  Allenjuner 
Isaac  Long 
Tappen  Evans 
James  Wallace 


Laurence  McLaugh- 
lin 

JiP  Chadwick  JuiF 
William  Stintson 
Thomas  Stickney 
Jonathan  alien 
Moses  Titcomb 
David  Bagley 


264 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Simean  Eastman 
Jams  Emerson  ’ 
Nathaniel  Eaton 
Joshua  Eaton 
Timothy  Farnham 
John®  Farnham 
ralph  Cross 


William  Stanly 
Ezzra  waldron 
Rich*^  Cressey 
Tim®  Gibson 
Henry  Eastman 
Sargent  Currier 
John  Easman 


Benjamin  Thurba 
francis  thurber 
Noah  Pearson 
James  Clough 
Ezra  tucker 
Ebenezer  Virgin 
yym  Xyler 


[Benjamin  Wiggin  came  from  Stratham  in  1774,  and  kept 
a tavern,  in  front  of  which  a reception  was  given  to  Gen. 
LaFayette  when  he  visited  this  state,  as  says  C.  C.  Lord^ 
Esq. — Ed.] 


[5-143]  \_Petition  in  Favor  of  Lieut.  Joshua  Aforse, 


to  His  Excellency  President  of  the  State  of  New^  Hampshire 
and  His  most  Hond^  Privy  Council. — 

we  y*"  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Hopkinton 
Humbly  Sheweth  that  we  Understand  that  Several  Persons  of 
this  Town  are  in  Nomination  for  the  office  of  a Majestrate  and 
Likewise  that  Neither  of  them  are  as  yet  Commision*^  therefore 
our  Petition  to  your  Excellency  and  Hoffi®  is  that  the  office  may 
Be  Granted  to  Lieu*  Joshua  morse  as  we  are  well  Sattisfied  as^ 
to  the  Abilites  and  Qualifications  of  the  Genf*  man  above 
Named  for  office  also  we  Beg  Leave  to  Inform  y""  Excellency 
and  Hon”  that  in  the  time  of  the  Late  Contest  with  Great  Brit- 
tan  he  always  appeared  to  Be  a steady  friend  to  the  Glorious 
Cause  of  our  Independence  Likewise  may  it  Please  y*”  Excel- 
lency and  Hon”  for  y*"  further  Sattisfacton  as  to  the  Carrector  of 
the  GenU  man  we  y*"  Petitioners  Shall  take  it  as  a favour  that 
you  will  be  Pleas‘d  to  Consult  our  Representative  at  the  Next 
Sessions  and  Hearby  we  flatter  our  Selves  that  Every  obstable 
may  Be  So  far  Remov^  from  y*"  minds  as  to  Commission  him  as 
Soon  as  may  Be  Consistant  with  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of 
our  Constitution  and  we  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  pray 


Abel  Kimball 
Nemiah  Colby 
Josiah  Nickels 
Stephen  Jewett 
Ezekiel  Knowlton 

Moodv  Smith 

•/ 

Isaac  Quimby 
Daniel  Herrick 
Peter  Darling 


David  Kimball 
Samuel  Jewett 
Eliphelet  Colby 
Robert  Knowlton 
Levi  Hildreth 
Josiah  Smith 
Jonathan  Qiiinby 
Henry  Blake 
John  Trussel 


Enos  hunt 
Richard  Webber 
Green  french 
Abraham  Kimball 
Isaac  Cheney 
Jonathan  Herrick  Se' 
Nathaniel  merrill 
Smith  Kimball 
William  Colby 


HOPKINTON. 


265 


Jonathan  Herrick  J 
Timothy  Darling 
Nathaniel  Kimball 
Moses  Hills  jun’’ 
Moses  Trussell 
John  thing  Connor 
Jeremiah  Story 
Nathan  Story 
Ezra  Hoyt 
Jacob  Straw 
Stephen  Smith 
Ephraim  Colby 
John  Kimball 
Elijah  Durgin 
thomas  Webber 
Thomas  Bickford 
Moses  Gould 
Benjamin  Homes 
Moses  Chase 
David  Clough 


’■Joseph  Burnham 
Samuel  kimball 
moses  Emerson 
Samuel  Chase 
Jonathan  Chase 
Jonathan  Allen  Ju 
Joseph  Story 
Isaac  colby 
John  Hoyt 
ZabuLon  Norris 
Joseph  colby 
Caleb  Smart 
Joseph  Smart 
Samuel  Straw 
Jeremiah  Storyjun 
william  putney 
Enoch  Eastman 
Samuel  Harris 
Thomas  Story 
Enoch  Long  j'' 


Moses  Darling 
Gideon  Gould 
Jonathan  Straw 
Peter  How 
Daniel  Tenny 
Zechariah  Story 
Jonathan  Allen 
Joseph  Colby 
John  Boynton 
Samuel  Farington 
Benning  Smart 
James  Straw 
Marl  Morrill 
John  gage 
Joseph  putney  Jr 
Elijah  Plomes 
Joseph  Barnard 
Nathaniel  Rowell 


[5—140]  \^A7iother  Re7nonst7'ance  to  Mr,  Wiggm.^ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hamps''*’ 

and  his  Honorable  Councel 

it  being  the  earnest  desire  of  a great  number  of  Good  men  in 
Hopkinton  that  I would  write  to  your  Excellency  on  a Matter 
that  much  disturbs  the  greatest  part  of  the  People  in  Hopkinton 
is  a Petetion  which  has  been  Spread  in  this  and  the  Naboring 
Towns  Last  weak  i Could  wish  only  to  have  the  matter  farely 
Stated  to  your  Excellency  as  I trust  it  will  be  by  Lt  Darling  So 
that  the  authority  of  the  State  may  not  be  imposed  upon  by 
having  Petitions  Prefered  to  them  : that  was  handed  about  and 
Signed  on  public  Days  over  a Cup  of  groog  this  being  the 
meathod  that  was  taken  to  obtain  the  greater  part  of  the  Signers 
that  is  in  favor  of  M’’  Benjamin  Wiggin  being  on  the  Sivel  List 
and  as  this  Petetion  in  fave  of  M*"  Wiggins  refers  Back  to  one 
that  was  Sent  to  your  Excellency  and  Honarable  Council  when 
Seting  at  Concord  which  Petetion  was  Signed  by  Sum  of  the 
Principel  men  in  Hopkinton  thay  Could  have  had  the  Cheeaf  of 
the  men  in  Plopkinton  to  have  Signed  it  if  thay  had  thought 
Proper  those  men  that  Signed  the  Petetion  that  wos  prefered  to 
your  Excellency  when  at  Concord  is  able  and  ready  to  Support 
what  thay  then  Charged  m*'  Wiggins  with  if  M’’  Wiggins  Sign- 
ers Could  make  out  that  he  ever  did  any  thing  that  appeared 


266 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


frindly  to  this  State  through  the  war  it  would  Be  in  his  favor, 
as  Hopkinton  went  through  a teados  war  without  the  help  of 
this  Valuable  Wiggin  it  is  thought  that  we  Can  do  with  out 
him  it  is  the  Prayer  of  many  that  M*'  Aaron  Greeley  may  Be 
Honered  with  a Commission  of  the  Peace  it  is  most  Likely  to 
me  that  he  may  Sarve  the  Public  the  Best  of  any  man  in  Hop- 
kinton 

Hopkinton  February  i : 1786 


I have  the  honour  to  Be  your  Excellency  & Honnors  most 
obedia"  and  Humbell  Sarvant 


Joshua  Bailey 


[The  foregoing  documents  not  only  contain  the  names  of 
probably  nearly  all  the  men  in  town,  but  show  the  earnest 
endeavors  put  forth  by  the  men  of  those  times  for  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-103]  \_Enlistment  Papers^  77yd.] 


Hopkinton  Septem’’  17,  1776. 

We  the  Subscribers  do  volintarly  inlis  into  tbe  Continall 
army  to  sarve  at  new  york  till  the  first  Day  of  December  next 
insuing  to  Sarve  as  Solders  under  the  Command  of  Such  Cap- 
tain and  See  Boltens  as  Shall  Be  appointed  By  the  Field  Offi- 
cers of  this  Rigement  as  witness  our  Hands 


William  Darling 
Timothy  Darling 
William  Godfree 
Elias  gould 


Ezekiel  Straw 
Nathaniel  Kimball 
Sargent  Currier 
Gideon  Gould 


Jacob  Hoyt 
Benj  Bach‘d''  Darling 


[R.  2-104]  \_Depositions  relative  to  Service  in  the  ArmyJ\ 

Then  Jacob  Tucker  of  Warner  Thomas  Story  William  Clem- 
ent Joseph  Standley  Thomas  Bigsford  Abner  Colby  Joseph 
Putney  Jonathan  Putney  Ebenezer  Eaton  of  Hopkinton  all  in 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  and  County  of  Hillsborough 
yeomen  Parsonally  appeared  and  Being  Duly  Examined  and 
Corshened  maid  Solem  Oath  that  thay  Sarved  as  Soldiers  in 
Cap*  William  Stilsons  Company  and  Colo  Isaac  Wymans 
Rigement  at  mount  independence  in  the  year  177^ 
thay  Never  Receivd  any  Saus  money  for  the  whole  of  the  time 
that  thay  were  in  Said  Wymans  Rigement  and  that  for  the 


HOPKINTON. 


267 


month  of  November  thay  Never  Received  any  wages  nor  travil 
money  Horn  Direct  nor  inderect 


Examined  and  Sworn  before 
Hopkinton  Novemb.  7:  1777 


Joshua  Bayley  Jus*  Peac 


[Jacob  Waldron  of  Warner  and  Stephen  Hoyt  of  Hop- 
kinton made  oath  before  the  same  justice  that  they  “ Sarv- 
ed  as  Saboltens  in  Cap*  William  Stilsons  Company  at 
mount  independent  in  the  year  1776.”  Dated  Hopkinton, 
November  8,  1777. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-105] 

[Reuben  Trussed,  who  was  wounded  at  Bennington,  was 
allowed  ;^23,  12,  4,  October  31,  1778,  for  doctors’  bills,  etc., 
and  placed  on  half  pay  from  September  19,  1777. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-106]  \_JEnlistments^  iy8i.~\ 

Hopkinton  September  20:  1781. 

S'"  agreeable  to  your  orders  I have  inlisted  Seven  Men  to 
Serve  three  months  theare  names  as  follows 


Moses  Colby  Stephen  Putney  Samuel  Eastman 

Richard  Smith  Moody  Clement  Daniel  Stickney  Jur. 

of  Hopkinton  and  David  Stickney  of  Concord 


the  men  have  marched  this  day 
To  Col  Thomas  Stickney  of  Concord 


Joshua  Bayley 


[R.  2-108]  \_CertiJicate  of  Soldiers  Mustered.^ 

This  May  Certify  that  Tim^  Farnham  Abraham  Currier  John 
Eaton  has  this  5 Day  of  April  pas**  Muster  for  the  Town  of 
Plopkinton  for  three  years  & Benj**  Cresey  the  6 april  pas**  Mus- 
ter for  three  years  for  the  town  of  Hopkinton  & that  Ephraim 
Hildreth,  Sam*  French,  Michael  Stocker,  John  Robinson  has 
pas**  Muster  for  the  Town  of  Hopkinton  Dureing  war  with 
great  brittain  all  Mustered  at  Amherst  ye  5,  &,  6,  of  April 
1781 

Moses  Nichols  M Master 

To  whom  it  may  concearn 


268 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-1 1 1]  \_Petition  of  foseph  Marshy  Soldier^  ^7^7 

Your  Pertitioner  Humbly  Sheweth  that  he  Inlisted  into  Cap* 
Daniel  Runnels  Company  and  Cod  Nathaniel  Peabodys  Rige- 
ment  in  the  years  Sarvice  in  the  Expedition  at  Rhode  Island  in 
the  year  1778  and  when  he  received  his  wages  it  was  of  but 
Very  little  value  to  what  the  same  was  when  he  Inlisted  * * 

Hopkinton  June  13,  1787 

Joseph  Marsh 

[In  June,  1778,  £>^72^  of  continental  paper  money  was 
equal  to  ;£ioo  in  silver.  In  June,  1779,  it  took  ;^i,342  of 
the  former  to  equal  £100  of  the  latter.  Marsh  petitioned 
to  have  it  made  up,  but  for  some  reason  the  petition  was 
“ dismissed.” — Ed  ] 


[R.  2-1 1 2]  \_Petition  of  Samuel  Prench^  Soldier:  addressed 
to  the  General  Courts  1787. ~\ 


Humbly  shews  Samuel  French  of  Hopkinton  in  the  County 
of  Hillsborough  and  State  aforesaid,  that  he  your  Petitioner  in 
the  year  1781  Inlisted  into  the  Continental  Service  in  Cap*  Mo- 
ses Dustins  Company  and  proceeding  on  his  march  to  White 
plains,  from  thence  I was  ordered  to  March  to  Mohawk  River 
and  was  there  taken  by  the  Indians  and  carried  beyond  Canada 
and  has  remained  a prisoner  ever  since  June  1782  until  March 
last,  when  he  returned  Home — for  all  which  he  has  received  no 
compensation  Wherefore  your  Petitioner  Humbly  prays  that 
this  HonN  Court  would  take  his  case  under  their  wise  consider- 
ation and  make  him  such  compensation  as  they  in  their  wisdom 
shall  think  fit 


Concord  June  14*^  *7^7* 


Samuel  French 


[He  presented  another  petition  the  following  December, 
with  the  following  documents  to  substantiate  his  statement : 
—Ed.] 

March  y®  17  i7^3 

I due  here  by  sertify  at  Samuel  French  Hath  fuly  payed  for 
His  Redemsian  from  the  Indians 

John  Cambill 
Hopkinton  June  20*^  ^7^7 

This  may  Sartify  that  Samuel  French  of  Hopkinton  was 
taken  by  the  Indions  Sum  Time  in  June  in  the  year  1782  at  the 


HOPKINTON. 


269 


Little  falls  in  Moohook  River  according  to  the  best  Integence 
we  had  Being  Soulders  Stationed  at  Saratoge  the  same  year 

Timothy  Farnham 
John  S.  Farnham 

Meredith  September  the  i 17S7 

this  is  to  Certyfy  that  Samuel  french  was  taken  By  the  indens 
at  the  Little  falls  of  the  mohock  River  he  Belongin  to  Cap* 
Bells  Company  in  the  2 N.  H.  Rigment  with  me 

Oliver  Smith 

Pursuant  to  a vote  of  the  General  Court  passed  Feb^  i®*  1788, 
I have  entered  Samuel  French  in  the  Depreciation  Books  for 
four  years  wages,  commencing  June  1782,  amounting  to  Ninety 
Six  pounds.  Interest  to  be  paid  annually 

Attest  J.  Gilman 

Exeter  Feb^  15*^  1788 — 


[R.  2-1 15]  \_Petition  of  Elijah  Smarts  Soldier^  //pz.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hon^^  General  Court  now  setting  at  Concord 

The  Petition  of  Elijah  Smart  Humbly  sheweth,  that  in  the 
year  1777  he  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Cap*  Nat.  Hutchen’s 
Company  in  CoP  Cilleys  Rig"^‘  and  in  the  year  1778  was  taken 
sick  in  the  Camp,  of  the  Yellow  fever  and  Carried  to  the  Hos- 
pital at  Valle}^  forge  and  from  thence  was  removed  to  the  Hos- 
pital at  the  Yellow-Springs,  where  he  had  the  Mortification  in 
one  of  his  feet  which  Occationed  the  loss  of  several  of  his 
toes.  * * * 

Elijah  Smart 

Hopkinton  Jan.  19:  1791 


[Hopkinton  men  in  the  First  New  Hampshire  Regiment : 

Daniel  Cressy,  entered  April  10,  1777;  discharged  April 
10.  1779. 

Moses  Colby,  entered  April  4,  1777;  discharged  April  4, 
1780. 

Ephraim  Cross,  entered  April  16,  1777;  discharged  1780. 

John  Chadwick,  entered  April  6,  1777  ; discharged  April 
5,  1780. 

John  T.  Connor,  entered  April  8,  1777  ; discharged  April 
5,  1780. 

Ebenezer  Collins,  entered  April  6,  1777  ; discharged  Oc- 
tober, 1777. 


2/0 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Benjamin  Cressy,  entered  April  6,  1781  ; discharged 
March  17,  1782. 

Alva  Currier,  entered  April  5,  1781  ; discharged  Decem- 
ber, 1781. 

Joseph  Eastman,  entered  April  10,  1777  ; discharged  Oc- 
tober 30,  1777. 

John  Eastman,  entered  April  10,  1777;  discharged  July 

8,  1777- 

John  Eastman,  Jr.,  entered  May  6,  1779;  discharged 


John  Eaton,  entered  April  5,  1781  ; discharged  December, 
1781. 

John  S.  Farnham,  entered  May  5,  1779;  discharged  De- 
cember,^1781. 

Timothy  Farnham,  entered  April  5,  1781  ; discharged 


Enoch  Hoit,  entered  July  3,  1777;  discharged  July  2,  1780. 
Ephraim  Hildrith,  entered  April  5,  1781  ; discharged  De- 
cember, 1781. 

Jona  Judkins,  entered  April  10,  1777;  discharged  April 
10,  1780. 

James  Lamb,  entered  March  10,  1777;  discharged 
March,  1780. 

Samuel  Stocker,  entered  April  10,  1777;  discharged 
March  7,  1780. 

David  Smith,  entered  April  10,  1777  ; discharged  August 

4, 1778. 

Elijah  Smart,  entered  April  7,  1777  ; discharged  April 
10,  1780. 

Caleb  Smart,  entered  April  7,  1777;  discharged  April 
10,  1780. 

Jona.  Sawyer,  entered  April  4,  1777;  discharged  April 
5,  1780. 

Some  of  the  foregoing  were  in  the  same  regiment  again 
in  1782  and  in  1783. — Ed.] 


[3-138]  S^Remonsti'ance  to  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  Jacob 

Cram.^ 

To  the  Council  appointed  to  Ordain  M’’  Jacob  Cramb  in  the 

work  of  the  Ministry — 

Reverend  Sirs  ; we  would  inform  you  that  when  Cramb 
had  a Call  from  the  people  of  this  Town  to  Settle  in  the  work 


HOPKINTON. 


271 


of  the  Ministry  in  a Town  meeting  we  Suppose  there  was  not 
more  than  one  fourth  part  of  the  Voters,  in  Town  that  voted 
for  his  Settling  as  aforesaid : Since  that  time  we  understand 
there  has  many  informed  him  before  he  had  given  his  Answer, 
that  they  had  no  desire  he  should  settle  in  this  Town,  as  afore- 
said ; and  Considering  the  present  Circumstances  of  the  Town 
and  other  Reasons  which  might  be  given  we  have  No  desire 
that  he  Should  settle  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  as  aforesaid 
And  we  would  inform  you  that  it  is  much  against  our  opinions 
to  do  any  thing  toward  his  settleing  in  said  Town  or  support 
him  if  settle’d  : and  we  apprehend  that  if  M’'  Cramb,  should 
Settle  in  this  Town  it  will  be  the  means  of  Causing  Law 
suits,  and  Cause  of  much  Confusion  in  said  Town.  Therefore, 
we  would  pray  you  to  advise.  M*'  Cramb  not  to  settle  in  said 
Town  and  you  to  Desist  from  ordaining  of  him  in  Said  Town  ; 
and  in  So  doing  you  will  oblige  your  Humble  Petitioners — 

Hopkinton  Feby.  io‘^  17S9 


Moses  Long 
James  Clough 
Isaal  Gould 
Steph  Herriman  J*" 
Joseph  putney  J'’ 
Thomas  Eastman 
John  Emerson 
William  Peters  J*’ 
Samuel  Currier 
Thaddeus  Ladd 
Joseph  Clark 
Nathaniel  Eaton 
Isaac  Perley 
Samuel  Sawyer 
Jacob  Straw  : 3 
Gideon  wood 
David  Clough 
Reuben  Currier 
Elijah  Holms 
Moses  Jones 
David  Clement 
Christopher  Gould 
Jacob  Clarke 
Henry  Blake 
Levi  Bayley 


Abel  Rowell 
Jeremiah  Fowler 
John  Eastman 
Calib  Burbank 
Moses  Kimball 
Mathew  Stanly 
Abr*"  Currier 
Noah  Pearson 
Jeremiah  Emerson 
Amos  Bayley 
Thomas  Clough 
Benjamin  Hoyt 
John  Perley 
Robert  Hanaford 
Jeremiah  Flanders 
Jon*^  Sawyer 
Jacob  Hoyt 
Rich^  Cresey 
John  Holmes 
Jaob  Stanly 
Timothy  Emerson 
Abraham  Rowell 
Amos  Gorden 
Nicolas  C Buswell 
Ichabod  Gould 


Stephen  Putney 
James  Emerson 
Ensley  Brown 
ralph  Cross 
Henry  Currier 
Ezekiel  Hadley 
Solomon  Bayley 
Enos  hunt 
Timothy  Flanders 
David  Morrill 
Samuel  Page 
Nathan  H Morgan 
Samuel  Straw  J*' 
John  Gould 
Stephen  Harriman 
Abner  Hoyte 
John  Eaton 
Samuel  Hoit 
Daniel  Flanders 
Joseph  Hastings 
Jacob  Straw 
Daniel  Tenny 
Moses  Kezer 


A Copy  of  Said  Petition 


Samuel  Wood 
Scribe  of  S*^  Council 


2/2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[Mr.  Cram  was  ordained  notwithstanding.  See  following 
document : — Ed.] 


[5-137] 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Hon^^®  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  said 
State  to  be  Convened  at  Portsmouth  the  fourth  Wednesday 
of  December  AD  1789 — 

Humbly  shews  the  Subscribers  Inhabitance  of  the  Town  of 
Hopkinton  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  and  State  aforesaid 
That  it  is  Rational  to  Suppose  and  favoured  by  the  Constitu- 
tion of  Said  State  that  no  person  ought  to  be  Compelled  to  pay 
Taxes  for  the  Support  of  a Minister  of  the  Gospel  whose  Senti- 
ments in  Religion  are  Different  from  his  That  in  February  last- 
the  Revd.  Jacob  Cram  was  Ordained  in  Said  Hopkinton  Pre- 
vious to  which  many  of  us  by  ourselves  and  Agents  Objected 
against  his  being  Ordained  thinking  his  Sentiments  not  agre 
able  to  ours  Notwithstanding  he  was  Ordained  and  we  are 
Taxed  toward  his  Support  We  think  it  Cruel  that  we  Should 
in  a day  when  a Spirit  of  Liberality  in  Religious  Sentiments 
Pervades  the  Continent  and  not  a Single  Constitution  in  the 
United  States  compells  a Man  to  pay  where  he  cannot  Consci- 
entiously hear  & be  Compelled  to  Pay  this  Man  ; We  wish  to 
Support  the  Preaching  of  the  Gospel  at  the  Same  time  Wish 
for  a Man  of  our  own  Choosing  We  therefore  Beg  that  we  may 
either  have  a Poll  Parrish  in  Said  Town  or  that  the  same  may 
be  divided  in  Such  manner  as  the  Hon’^'®  Court  shall  think  best 
And  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  ever  Pray 


Thaddeus  Ladd 
Jacob  Straw,  3 
Joshua  Eaton 
John  Gould 
Ebenezer  Ordua 
William  putney 
Samuel  Straw 
Amos  Bayley 
Stephen  Harriman 
Rich‘S  Cresey 
Sargent  Currier 
Daniil  Gunnison 
Jon^  Sawyer 
Abraham  Rowell 
Noah  Pearson 
Benjamin  Hoyt 
Israel  Gould 


Moses  Jones 
John  Emerson 
Isaac  Perley 
Nathan  H Morgan 
Timothy  Emerson 
John  White 
Ichabod  Gould 
Abner  Hoyt 
Ezekiel  Hadley 
Caleb  Burbank 
Abr*”  Currier 
Simeon  Dow  Junr 
Moses  Hastings 
Moses  Kezer 
Samuel  Hoyt 
Jonathan  Gordon 
Amos  Gordon 


Levi  Bayley 
Reuben  Currier 
John  Perley 
Jacob  Rowell 
Nathaniel  Eaton 
Samuel  Sawyer 
Thomas  Eastman 
Nathaniel  Morgan 
Joseph  Clark 
David  Merrill 
James  Clough 
Nathaniel  Rowell 
Joseph  Hastings 
Jacob  Straw 
Jacob  Hoyt 
Gideon  woods 


HUDSON. 


273 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  December  26,  1789,  a hearing  was  order- 
■ed  for  the  second  Tuesday  of  their  next  session,  at  which 
time,  June  15,  1790,  the  matter  was  further  postponed  to 
the  second  Tuesday  of  their  next  session.  I fail  to  find  any 
further  action  in  the  matter. — Ed.] 


HUDSON. 

The  largest  part  of  the  territory  contained  in  this  town 
was  included  in  the  ancient  grant,  by  the  provincial  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts  Bay,  of  the  township  of  Dunstable, 
October  16,  1673,  O.  S.  In  1722  a portion  of  this  grant 
was  annexed  to  the  town  of  Londonderry, ‘and  in  1732  all 
that  remained  of  Dunstable  east  of  Merrimack  river  was 
incorporated  into  a town  named  Nottingham. 

In  1734  the  north  part  was  taken  off,  and,  with  other 
territory,  incorporated  into  a town  named  Litchfield.  The 
aforesaid  changes  were  made  by  the  general  court  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  territory  being  considered  a part  of  that 
province  until  the  line  was  established  in  1741. 

Settlements  were  made  on  the  banks  of  the  Merrimack  as 
early  as  1710,  the  people  living  in  garrisoned  houses,  and 
planting  their  corn  on  land  cleared  by  Indians  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council 
of  New  Hampshire,  July  5,  1746,  in  answer  to  a petition 
from  the  inhabitants  (Vol.  IX,  page  417),  and  named  Not- 
tingham West,  and  retained  that  name  until  it  was  changed 
to  Hudson  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  July  i,  1830. 

The  south-westerly  part  of  Londonderry  was  annexed  to 
this  town  by  an  act  passed  March  6,  1778. 


S^Nottingham  West  Men  in  First  N,  H.  Regiment 

[Robert  Burts,  entered  April  28,  1777  ; discharged  July 
8,  1780. 

Nathaniel  Hardy,  entered  May  i,  1777 ; discharged 
March  5,  1778. 

Amos  Kenney,  entered  April  3,  1777;  discharged  Octo- 
ber 7,  1777  ; killed. 

Thomas  Barry,  entered  April  12,  1779;  discharged  April 
10,  1780. — Ed.] 

20 


274 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-172]  \_Comflaint  concerning  Rev,  Nathaniel  Merrilly 

^747-1 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap*  General 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  & Over  His  Majesty^ 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  the  Hon*’'®  His  Majestys  Coun- 
cil & House  of  Representatives  for  said  Province  in  General 
Assembly  Convened  the  2^  day  of  December,  1747. 

The  humble  Petition  of  Josiah  Cummings  & others  whose 
Names  are  hereunto  subscribed  Inhabitants  of  Nottingham 
West  in  said  Province  shews 

That  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  since  their  Incorporation, 
as  a Township  under  this  Government,  have  proceeded  to  call 
& settle  one  JVb  Natli'  Merril  as  the  Gospel  Minister  of  said 
Town  which  your  Petitioners  Opposed  and  from  which  they 
always  dissented  Requesting  that  they  might  be  Excused  both 
from  calling  him  & paying  towards  his  Support  because  they 
could  not  like  him  for  their  Minister. 

That  notwithstanding  the  different  Sentiments  of  your  Peti- 
tioners in  this  matter  & the  steps  they  took  to  discover  their 
dislike  of  the  Proceedings  the  Town  have  calld  & settled  the 
said  Minister  & have  rated  your  Petitioners  as  others  who  have 
been  Active  therein — and  your  Petitioners  supposing  the  Town 
in  general  was  not  desireous  of  compelling  them  to  join  against 
their  Inclination  have  Requested  the  Select  Men  of  said  Town 
to  Insert  a Clause  in  a Ward  for  calling  a Town  meeting  to  see 
if  the  Town  would  not  Excuse  your  Petitioners  & discharge 
them  from  paying  as  afores**  till  they  should  attend  the  Ministry 
of  M""  Merril  (which  as  yet  they  do  not)  or  to  call  a meeting* 
for  that  purpose  both  of  which  has  been  denied  by  the  select 
men — 

That  your  Petitioners  conceive  had  such  a motion  been  regu- 
larly made  at  the  Town  meeting  the  Town  would  have  dis- 
miss’d your  Petitioners  & Exonerated  them  from  any  charge 
having  the  Example  as  well  as  the  Advantage  of  such  a Dis- 
mission made  by  the  Town  of  Dunstable  of  a Number  of  their 
Inhabitants  who  dissented  from  the  proceedings  there  Relating 
to  the  Settlement  of  a Minister  whereby  the  Town  of  Notting- 
ham will  not  upon  the  whole  be  prejudiced — But  however  that 
may  be  your  Petitioners  humbly  conceive  it  to  be  a hard  Case 
to  oblige  them  to  belong  to  & to  support  the  Ministry  they  can- 
not like  & do  not  attend  & when  they  may  attend  the  Ministry 
at  Dunstable  to  their  Satisfaction  & with  Equal  Conveniency 
as  in  Nottingham  Wherefore  they  humbly  pray  that  they  may 
be  discharged  both  Polls  & Estates  from  paying  any  thing  to- 
wards the  support  of  the  Ministry  at  said  Nottingham  so  long 
as  they  attend  else  where  & they  shall  Ever  pray 


HUDSON. 


275 


Josiah  Cumings 
heenry  Snow 
Reuben  Greley 
Eleazar  Cumings 


Jeremiah  Blodget 
Samuel  Jewet 
Beniamen  Snow 
Samuel  Hushton 


John  Snow 
Benjamin  Frost 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  9,  1747,  the  matter  was  postponed 
until  the  selectmen  of  the  town  had  called  a meeting  to  see 
if  the  town  would  consent  to  the  foregoing  request. — Ed.] 


[5-1 71]  \_G}'anting  Authority  to  Mr.  Ciunmings  to  petition 

the  Legislatiire., 

We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Nottingham  west  Author- 
ize and  Impower  M*"  Josiah  Cumings  of  said  Nottinghamwest 
to  Petition  the  Gen”  Court  of  New  Hampshire  that  we  may  be 
Excused  from  paying  Taxes  to  the  Rev”  Nath'  Merril  in  or- 
der that  we  may  pay  at  Dunstable  where  we  attend  and  to  Act 
fully  in  our  behalf  relating  that  atfair  said  M''  Merril  being  set- 
tled in  said  Town  contrary  to  our  Consent  and  conience  like- 
wise we  having  entered  Protest  Against  the  vote  where  by  he 
was  settled  the  Selectmen  having  Assessed  us  for  the  same  not- 
withstanding and  having  refused  to  put  our  desire  of  being  Ex- 
cused in  to  a Warrant  for  a Town  meeting 

Nottinghamwest  Sep’^  14*”  1747 

Eleazar  Cummings  Jeremiah  Blodget  Ruben  grele 

John  Snow  Samuel  Juewet  Josiah  Cumings 

Beniamon  Snow  Samuel  Huston 

henry  Snow  Benj"  Frost 


[S“G®]  \_Relative  to  Ministerial  Affairs 

At  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable 
in  the  Province  of  New  Hamp'"  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  Septem- 
ber 1747 

an  Extract  from  the  votes  of  said  meeting  a vote  was  pro- 
posed as  followeth — 

Whereas  this  Town  of  Dunstable  on  the  31*  of  Aug*  last 
voted  and  chose  y®  Rev”  M*"  Samuel  Bird  for  the  settled  minis- 
ter of  this  Town  and  Joseph  Blanchard  Esq*",  Henry  Adams, 
John  Love  well  Jtf  Jo®  French,  JoiP  French,  Jon^  Combs, 
Josiah  Swan,  Sylvanus  Whitney,  Ephraim  Butterfield,  Tho® 
Blanchard,  Joseph  Butterfield,  Richard  Stratton  Ephraim  Ad- 
ams, Tho®  Adams  Phineas  Adams,  Sam'  Searles,  William 


2/6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Lund  Ju'',  Phineas  Lund  & John  Combs  having  manifested 
their  dissatisfaction  with  the  choice  and  unwillingness  to  attend 
his  Ministry  therefore  voted  and  Agreed  that  said  persons  and 
their  poles  for  the  time  being  Lyable  by  law  to  be  rated  and 
such  Tenants  for  the  time  being  as  shall  live  on  their  Estates 
unless  such  tenants  shall  give  their  attendance  at  said  Birds 
meeting  be  and  hereby  are  Excused  and  discharged  from  all 
rates  and  taxes  wdiat  So  ever  that  shall  be  raised  and  Assessed 
on  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  for  the  settlement  Salary  or 
support  of  the  said  M*"  Bird  and  all  other  their  Estate  Real  and 
personall  wdiile  in  their  Possession  equally  discharged  also  for 
the  Errecting  and  finishing  a meeting  house  where  the  said  m*' 
Bird  shall  preach  Always  reserving  as  the  condition  of  this 
Grant  or  vote  that  the  Persons  discharged  as  afore  said  do  not 
vote  in  any  affaire  relating  to  the  said  m''  Birds  settlement  Sal- 
ary or  support  or  the  placing  ordering  or  Building  the  said 
meeting  house  and  in  case  any  of  them  for  the  future  do  thus  act 
in  any  of  the  affairs  as  afore  said  then  the  afore  going  vote  to  be 
void  as  to  such  person  also  provided  that  when  anv  of  said  per- 
sons shall  give  their  Generali  Attendance  on  the  said  m*’  Birds 
ministry  the  afore  said  vote  where  by  they  are  Excused  to  be 
void  as  to  such  person — 

voted  in  the  affairmative 

A True  Copy  Exam*^  per  Jon^  Love  well  Town  Clerk 


[5-169]  \_Alleged  Illegal  V^oting  hi 

Where  as  we  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Xottinghamwest 
in  the  Province  of  Xew  Hampshire  in  Xew-England  being 
present  at  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Xottinghamwest 
y®  dav  of  March  1746/7  when  several  persons  ware  Allowed 
by  the  Moderator  to  vote  in  said  meeting  that  was  not  Qualli- 
fied  bv  the  Laws  of  this  Province  to  vote  in  Town  affairs  and 
Altho  Objection  was  then  made  against  said  persons  voting  they 
w^are  still  Allowed  to  vote  in  said  Meeting  and  there  by  votes 
ware  made  in  said  Meeting  which  if  they  stand  will  be  Hurtfull 
to  us  the  Subscribers  and  many  other  Inhabitants  of  this  Town 
as  well  as  contrary  to  the  Laws  of  this  Province  therefore  we 
the  Subscribers  desire  and  Impower  M*"  Josiah  Cumirigs  of  said 
Xottinghamwest  in  our  names  & behalf  to  Petition  his  Excel- 
lency the  Gov*"  & the  Honou^®  Council  and  Representatives  of 
said  Province  to  Know'  if  said  Meeting  shall  stand  Good  or 
not — 

Xottinghamwest  March  y®  30*^  ^747 


HUDSON. 


277 


Zacheues  Lovewell 
Samy®*  Huston 
Elexander  Thomson 
Joseph  Snow 
John  Snow 


Eleazar  Cummings 
Arthur  Darrahe 
Ezekiel  Hills 
William  Taylor 
Ezekiel  Grele 


John  Mitchell 


[5—168]  \^Petitlon  7'elative  to  foregoing  in 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap*  General 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  & over  His  Majestys 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  the  Hon*’*®  his  Majesty’s  Coun- 
cil & House  of  Representatives  for  said  Province  in  General 
Assembly  convened  the  12**’  Day  of  May  1747 
The  Humble  Petition  of  Josiah  Cummings  of  Nottingham 
West  in  said  Province  in  behalf  of  himself  & Sundry  other  In- 
habitants & freeholders  of  said  Town  shews 

That  on  the  9th  Day  of  March  last  past  the  Inhabitants  & 
freeholders  of  said  Town  met  to  chuse  the  Town  Officers  for 
the  Ensuing  year  & to  transact  other  affairs  proper  to  a General 
Town  Meeting  and  after  chusing  of  a Moderator  they  proceeded 
to  business,  in  the  conduct  of  which  the  Moderator  was  greatly 
negligent  of  his  duty  in  suffering  Persons  to  Vote  who  were 
not  Qiialified  for  nor  Intitled  to  that  Privilege  by  which  means 
things  were  carried  against  the  Minds  of  a Majority  of  the 
Qualified  Voters  & such  Votes  past  as  will  (if  put  in  Execu- 
tion) be  very  prejudicial  to  the  Interest  of  the  Town  as  well  as 
many  particular  Persons  and  tho’  Objection  was  made  to  the 
Moderator  against  admitting  such  unqualified  voters  yet  he  dis- 
regarded & over  Ruled  the  same  against  Law  & Right 

That  as  this  is  a thing  of  a very  pernicious  tendency  & Dan- 
gerous consequence  & which  ought  not  in  any  Instance  to  be 
tolerated  as  it  is  an  abuse  of  a very  great  Privilege  as  well  as  a 
breach  of  the  Good  & wholsom  Laws  in  that  case  provided 
every  honest  man  ought  bear  Testimony  against  & do  his  En- 
deavour to  have  discountenanced  by  that  Authority  which  is  the 
Guardian  of  English  Liberties  as  well  as  Enacter  of  good 
Laws — 

Wherefore  your  Petition’’  Humbly  prays  the  premises  may  be 
Inquired  of  and  if  found  in  any  Degree  as  above  Represented 
that  the  said  Meeting  be  declared  Void  & the  proceedings  & 
Votes  then  & there  past  Vacated,  a new  Meeting  Called  for  the 
purposes  of  the  first,  and  a suitable  Person  Appointed  Modera- 
tor to  Govern  the  same  and  your  Petition’’  as  in  duty  Bound 
shall  Ever  Pray  &c — 

State  of  NewhamjDshire — 


Josiah  Cumings 


2/8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[S-167] 

•To  the  Honoroberle  Counsel  and  house  of  Representative — 
Gentelmen — 

may  it  Pies  your  Honours  that  we  the  Subscribers  Humbly 
shew  that  we  ware  Notifyed  With  A Copy  of  moses  Hadlys 
Petition  of  Nottingham  west  to  appear  at  Exeter  the  Eighteenth 
of  march  Instant  and  shue  cause  Why  the  petition  should  not 
be  ansurd  but  so  far  from  that  we  Pray  that  the  Petition  may 
be  ansurd 

Samuel  marsh  Selectman 
David  Laurance 
Samuel  Wason 
Moses  Johnson 
Samuel  Greelee 


[5-166]  \_Relative  to  yonathan  Searle^  ^775 

Nottingham  west  June  ye  ^th 

We  the  Subscribers  being  Neighbors  to  m^  Jon‘^  Sarles  and 
have  been  acquainted  with  him  this  some  time,  and  for  his 
Relief  we  are  Desirous  to  Let  all  Generous  People  know  his 
Conduct,  & Cirumstances,  &c — 

He  has  Lived  this  some  years  in  the  Town  of  Nottingh™ 
west,  and  is,  (as  far  as  we  know)  an  honest  Principled  man 
and  has  been  honest  in  his  Dealings  with  mankind  as  far  as  he 
was  Capable  of,  to  the  utmost  of  his  Ability, — But  fortune  has 
not  favoured  him  with  the  Good  things  & comforts  of  this  Life, 
by  Reason  of  Sickness  & other  frowns  of  Providence,  for  he 
has  had  Sickness  in  his  family  at  certain  times  for  many  years 
Past,  and  more  Especially  since  about  five  years  ago  Last  April 
he  hath  had  a Daughter  Sick  & under  the  care  of  Physicians 
the  biggest  Part  of  the  time,  and  She  is  Reduced  as  it  were  to 
a Skeleton  & a mear  nothing,  and  is  Exceeding  Troublesome, 
for  she  has  been  confined  to  her  bed  this  two  or  three  years 
Past,  and  we  Don’t  know  as  she  is  Likely  Ever  to  be  any  bet- 
ter, but  may  continue  so,  this  many  Years,  he  has  had  for  her 
the  Advice  of  many  Physicians,  to  no  Purpose — he  has  also  two 
Children  besides  her,  that  will  never  be  capable  to  maintain 
& take  care  of  themselves — one  of  them  is  22  years  of  age,  or 
near  it  & has  had  convulsion  fitts  from  a Child  & is  an  object 
of  Pitty.  The  other  is  about  18  years  of  age,  which  is  Inca- 
pable of  Doing  much  Business,  for  Nature  & Providence  has 
not  Endowed  him  with  faculties  & Activity  Enough  to  Provide 
for  himself,  & besides,  all  this,  he  is  scarcely  Ever  well  in 


HUDSON. 


279 


health,  & is  very  often  under  the  Doctors  care — M*"  Sarles  him- 
:self  is  purblind,  and  of  late  his  Sight  is  much  Depraved  & Im- 
paired being  something  Advanced  in  years — and  therefore  he 
is  not  fit  to  Do  much  work — he  has  also  another  Child  that  is 
not  Endowed  with  Active  Lively  faculties  & foresight,  sufficient 
to  manage  without  Directions  from  time  to  time,  & Likewise 
being  not  so  well  calculated  for  business  as  is  Common,  by 
Reason  of  the  Total  loss  of  the  sight  of  one  Eye,  Even  from 
a child  Therefore  if  you  that  see  these  Lines,  think  that  you 
can  bestow  something  to  such  a Needy  person  and  help  him  a 
Little  in  his  Great  Difficulty  & trouble  it  would  be  a Deed  of 
Charity  in  your  so  Doing,  to  help  the  Poor  Sl  needy  in  their 
Distress — 

Signed  by  John  Mussey,  their  family  Physician  also  by  D' 
Cummings 

Let  the  Chearful  heart  be  open,  & Revive 
The  weak  & feble,  while  they  are  yet  Alive — 

Pelham  OcP  y®  27*^  17^3 — 

This  may  Certify,  that  Jacob  Sarles  is  in  a weak  Infirm  State 
of  health — 

John  Mussey 


[5-165]  \_Relative  to  Land  of  Willia7n  Brattle^  -^777 

‘To  the  Honorable  the  Council  & the  House  of  Representatives 
setting  at  Portsmouth  the  fourth  Day  of  November  next — 

The  Petition  of  we  the  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth — That 
whereas  there  is  a Tract  of  land  containing  about  250  Acres 
lying  in  Nottingham-West,  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough,  & 
State  of  New-Hampshire,  belonging  to  the  Heirs  of  William 
Brattle  Esq  ; deceased  : who  in  his  life  time  fled  from  his  Coun- 
try to  the  Enemies  of  America  ; And  whereas  it  is  probable 
that  said  Land  will  become  the  property  of  this  State  : And 
whereas  great  waste  and  dammage  has  heretofore  been  done  to 
said  Land  by  striping  it  of  Timber  that  grows  upon  it,  and  as 
there  is  the  highest  probability  that  still  greater  wastes  will  be 
made  in  time  to  come,  if  no  measures  are  taken  to  prevent  it — 
From  a Desire,  therefore  to  preserve  the  Property  of  the  State, 
we  beg  your  Honors,  to  take  such  measures,  as  vou  in  your 
wisdom  shall  see  meet,  to  prevent,  for  the  future,  the  Destruc- 
tion of  the  Timber  growing  upon  said  Land — 

As  we  your  Petitioners  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 
Nottingham-West  31®^  Ocfl  1777 — 

Abraham  Page  Hale 

John  Hestine 
Timo  Smith 


Stephen  Kenney 
Page  Smith 


Jona.  Bradley 
Gideon  Butler 
JiP  Caldwell 


28o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-163]  [^Relative  to  the  Protection  of  Fish^ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  Stat  of  New  Hampshire  at  Exeter  Conveind — 

Gentlemen — 


The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Humbly  sheweth  that 
Whereas  there  is  a Brook  in  the  Town  of  Nottingrham  west  and 
County  of  Hillsborough  that  Runs  from  Woo  Tannack  So 
Called  in  s*^  Town  to  Merimack  River  in  Which  large  numbers 
of  Fish  known  by  the  name  of  Alle  Wives  has  freequently 
Rune  which  would  be  a Great  Benefit  to  the  Publick  provided 
said  Stream  could  be  kept  clear  and  Also  the  mouth  of  the 
Brook  upon  the  River  And  all  Ell  pots  and  Obstructions  by 
which  means  some  Evil  Desposed  Persons  are  detirmanded  to 
stop  the  General  Rune  of  said  Fish  to  y®  Great  damage  of  the 
Publick  therefore  We  your  Petitioners  Prays  your  Honours  in 
your  Wisdom  would  take  into  consideration  the  same  and  pro- 
vide such  measures  as  may  be  thought  by  you  proper  so  that  s*^ 
Town  may  be  Enabled  to  lay  Restractions  on  such  evil  minded 
Persons  for  the  Future  and  we  your  Petitioners  as  in  Dutey 
Bound  Shall  Ever  pray — 

February  y®  7“^  ^77^ — 


Jno  Caldwell 
Robert  Glover 
James  Caldwell 
D avid  Cumings 
Ebenezer  Barker 
Thomas  Wason 
James  Wason 
James  Caldwell 
Alexander  Caldwell 
Abraham  Page 
Eliphet  Hadley 


Asa  Davis 
henry  hucy 
Nathaniel  Haseltine 
Nickles  Eastman 
Timothy  Smith 
Daniel  Mai'shall 
Page  Smith 
John  Hale 
Samuel  Smith 
Stephen  Kenney 
Henery  Hale 


Henery  Hale  Junir 
Will"^  Gibson 
John  Haseltine 
Seth  Wyman 
JoiP  Bradley 
Giden  Butler 
Philbrick  Colby 
David  Glover 
William  Glover 
Bengamon  malven 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  18,  1778,  the  foregoing  were  granted 
leave  to  bring  in  a bill,  and  an  act  granting  protection  was. 
passed  March  5. — Ed.] 


[5-162]  \^Petition  relative  to  aforesaid  Act^  ^77P*] 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  house  of  Representatives, 
for  the  State  of  Newhamp'’®  in  General  Court — 

May  it  please  your  hon”  we  your  humble  petitioners  under- 
standing that  there  is  an  act  made  in  this  Honorable  Court 
ordering  a Sluice  to  be  made  through  Moses  Hadleys  mill  Dam 
in  Nottingham-west  and  to  continue  open  about  3 months  which 
of  course  will  draw  of  the  water  so  that  the  Mill  will  be  En- 


HUDSON. 


281 


tirely  useless  till  the  water  can  be  raise!  again  which  cannot 
be  done  till  fall  of  the  year  and  as  s*^  mill  is  of  the  utmost 
service  in  the  time  when  s'^  Sluice  is  to  be  open  all  the  other 
mills  round  at  that  season  being  dry  and  cant  grind  and  this 
mill  if  there  is  no  Sluice  to  draw  ofT  the  water  can  and  does 
Supply  a great  number  of  Familys  wherefore  your  Humble 
Petitioners  pray  that  s*^  act  may  be  reconsidered  and  ordered 
that  instead  of  a Sluice  (which  will  ruin  the  mill)  that  there 
may  be  a ditch  at  one  End  of  the  dam  which  may  Easily  be 
made  so  that  the  fish  may  go  up  and  down  and  it  will  not  draw 
the  water  so  but  the  mill  will  be  of  great  use  to  many  distressed 
Families  while  the  water  is  running  in  Ditch  and  we  Like- 
wise pray  that  the  time  set  forth  for  the  water  to  be  running 
may  not  Exceed  six  weeks  which  will  be  long  Enough  for  the 
fish  to  pass  and  repass  in  gratifying  us  in  these  things  you  will 
oblige  your  Humble  petitioners  Eyer  to  pray. 

Feb^  18  1779 — 


Moses  Hadley 
Samuel  marsh 
Danil  Marshall 
Ebenezer  Cumings 
Eben’’  Perry 
Daniel  Hardy 
Peter  Cross 
John  hall 
Elezear  Cumings 
Isaac  Merril 
Joshua  Chase 
Justus  Dakin 
Samuel  Pollard 
Ebenezer  Pollard 
Josiah  Cummings 
Henry  chase 
Jos  Greele 
Jonathan  Hardy  Jr 
Stephen  Chasejuiner 
John  hardy 
Joel  Barrat 
William  burroughs 
Rich*^  Cutter 
Isaac  Page  Jun. 
Joseph  Cross 
Simeon  Barret 
Dayid  tarbell 
David  Lawrance 
Joshua  Peirce 
Isaac  Barret 


Richard  Hardy 
Philip  Hills 
Oliver  Hills 
Reuben  Spaulding 
Joseph  Wilson 
George  Burns 

Samuel 

Samuel  Brown 
Natha’  Merril  Jur 
Elijah  Hill 
Ezekiel  Grele 
Joseph  gould 
Nathanael  Davis 
Moses  Barret 
James  Barret  Jun 
Richard  Marshall 
Isaac  Page 
william  Cummings 
David  Marsh 
Jonathan  Marsh 
Joseph  Blodget 
George  Burns 
William  Burns 
Sam'  Greele 
edward  farmer 
Ichabod  Esman 
Alexander  Caldwell 
Samuel  Caldwell 
Robert  Glover 
Eliphalet  Hadley 


Will'”  Gibson 
Sam'  Burbank 
Sam'  Burbankjun*" 
Moody  Hardy 
Andrew  Sceavy 
Samuel  Durant 
Moses  Johnson 
Thomas  winn 
Samuel  French 
Joseph  merrick 
Seth  Cutter 
Ebeneser  tarbox 
Moses  Barret  Juner 
James  Barret 
Thomas  Barret 
Elijah  Marshall 
Jamas  marsh 
Abiathar  Winn 
Joseph  Winn 
Joseph  Winn  J*" 
Joseph  Winn  J*" 
Sam*'  moor 
Stephen  Chase 
Benja  March  all 
John  Walker 
John  Pollard 
Eliphalet  hadly 
Benjamin  Hadley 
Enos  Hadley 
John 


282 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-173]  [ Thomas  Caldwell’s  Petition^ 

To  the  Honorable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in 

General  assembly  Convened — 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Caldwell  of  Nottingham-west  Hum- 
bly Shews 

That  about  three  years  ago  your  Petitioner  requested  the  Se- 
lect of  said  Town  to  lay  him  out  a public  Road  from  his  dwell- 
ing house  Northerly  to  the  Country  Road  crossing  Jon'^  Searles’s 
land  and  all  the  objection  they  then  had  was  the  Towns  being 
Obliged  in  Such  case  to  pay  for  the  land — your  Petetioner  than 
applyed  to  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  the  County  of  Hillsborrough 
praying  for  an  Order  to  Lay  out  such  a Road  and  in  pursuance 
thereof  a Committee  was  appointed  who  with  great  Circum- 
spection view’d  the  premises,  when  all  parties  were  present,  and 
then  lay’d  out  the  road  requested  and  it  was  afterwards  estab- 
lished by  the  S*^  Court — and  Searles’s  Damages  awarded  him — 
and  the  road  ordered  to  be  Opened  as  mentioned  in  the  Said  re- 
port— 

That  the  SelecP  of  Said  Town  have  lay’d  out  a road  quite 
aCross  your  Petetioners  Farm  and  to  make  all  things  easy  he 
has  offered  to  Abate  the  Town  the  Sum  awarded  him  as  dam- 
ages Provided  the  other  road  Could  be  opened  and  the  said 
Searles  paid  his  damages  (which  is  not  a larger  sum  than  Or- 
dered your  Petetioner)  but  Still  the  same  is  not  don  neither  is 
there  any  appearance  of  it — and  now  it  Seems  Som  restless  peo- 
ple are  about  applying  to  this  assembly  to  have  this  report  re- 
versed, or  altered  in  a manner  very  prejudicial  to  your  Petetion- 
er and  to  deprive  him  from  his  main  road  to  Meeting  Mill  Mar- 
ket &c — the  other  Road  not  being  of  the  least  Advantage  to  him 
for  any  of  the  aforesaid  purposes,  and  was  lay’d  there  purely  to 
Serve  a few  individuals  and  not  for  any  general  purpose — and 
now  your  Petetioner  is  inform’d  that  some  persons  in  Notting- 
ham are  about  Presenting  a Petetion  as  herein  before  hinted  at 
— & that  your  Honors  mav  have  Som  Just  notion  of  the  matter 
this  representation  is  humbly  presented  and  your  Petetioner  is 
encouraged  to  hope  that  Such  light  will  be  thrown  on  the  Mat- 
ter as  to  prevent  a Formal  hearing  of  any  Such  Petetion  and  to 
have  the  Same  rejected,  as  a thing  already  Settled  by  a Court 
Proper  for  Such  matters  whoes  determination  ought  to  be  final 
& so  rest  unless  Greats  and  Manifest^  injury  is  done 

This  matter  of  Petetioning  your  honors  has  been  agitated  in 
public  Town  meeting  when  the  inhabitants  were  prety  Gener- 
ally assembled,  and  the  Vote  against  Petetioning  was  very  unan- 
imious  and  now  is  Prosecuted  only  by  a few  Designing  men  and 
for  no  good  Purpose  as  may  be  Shewn  in  the  Sequel — 


HUDSON. 


283 


Your  Petitioner  Therefore  most  heartily  relying  on  the  Pru- 
dence Justice  and  Wisdom  of  this  Honorable  Body  of  men  and 
that  they  will  prefer  Public  good  to  Private  Pique  and  rather 
discourage  Such  Applications  as  Can  Only  Tend  to  impede  and 
Obstruct  the  Ordinary  State  Business  And  Tend  to  promote 
Such  Petetions  in  numberless  Instances,  he  therefore  humbly 
hopes  the  Said  Order  Respecting  the  Laying  out  the  Said  Road 
made  and  Establish‘d  by  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  the  County  of 
Hillsborrough  may  not  be  Altered  But  any  Petition  for  the  Same 
may  be  dismis’d — and  Your  Petetioner  as  in  duty  bound  Shall 
Ever  pray  &c — 


We  the  Subscribers  being  in  habitants  of  Said  Nottingham- 
west  have  perfised  the  foregoing  Petition  and  think  it  Contains 
a very  fair  representation  of  the  matter  wherefore  we  do  hereby 
Signify  our  desire  that  the  road  lay’d  out  by  the  Said  Commit- 
tee may  be  opened  and  repared  as  ordered  in  the  Said  report 


Alexander  Caldwell 
Samuel  Caldwell 
henry  hucy 
Will'"  Burns 
Andrew  Sceavey 
Isaac  Merrill 


John  Pettingill 
Nath*'*  merrill  Juner 
Thomas  Pollard 
Benjm  Marshal 
Hen  ray  Marsh  el 
Friend  moody 


Samuel  

George 

Samuel  

James  Caldwell 
James  Wason 
Nathaniel  Seavy 


[5-161]  \^Depositio7i  relative  to  foregohig^ 

Abraham  Page  of  Lawfull  age  Testifieth  and  Saith  that  he  is 
knowing  to  a Town  Road  being  laid  out  and  Iproved  as  a Road 
in  Nottingham  West  which  Road  went  a cross  a part  of  the 
Westerly  End  of  Flukers  Lot  So  called  which  Lot  Thomas 
Caldwell  now  Resides  on  and  your  Deponant  further  Saith  that 
he  looks  upon  the  Road  that  the  Courts  Com‘®®  lately  laid  out 
through  Jonathan  Searles®  Land  will  be  a great  Damage  to  S^ 
Searles.  he  and  his  famaly  being  in  Low  circumstances  and  very 
unable  to  fence  S^  Road 

Nottingham  West  Abraham  Page 

November  3*’*  Day  17S3 


[5-160]  \^Depositions  of  Cummmgs^  Cross^  and  Hale ^ 

Ebenezer  Cuming  Peter  Cross  and  John  Hale  all  of  Lawfull 
age  Testify  and  Say  that  they  are  well  acquainted  with  a Road 
that  the  Courts  Committee  has  lately  laid  out  through  Jonathan 


284 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Searles®  Land  to  Thomas  Caldwells,  that  Said  Road  goes  on 
Said  Searles®  land  upward®  of  one  Hundred  and  Twenty  rods 
upwards  of  Eighty  of  which  is  unfenced,  and  your  Deponants 
look  upon  S*^  Road  if  kept  as  an  open  Road  to  be  of  great  Dam- 
age to  Said  Searles,  as  he  and  his  famaly  is  in  Low  Circum- 
stances and  unable  to  fence  s^  Road  as  also  it  will  Expose  a 
great  quantity  of  his  apples  of  being  lost  by  reason  of  falling  in- 
to S*^  Road,  and  that  their  is  an  open  Road  Laid  out  across  the 
Lot  that  said  Caldw^ell  Lives  upon  that  is  the  Easterly  End  of 
said  Lot 

Nottingham  west  Ebenezer  Cmigs 

November  3*^  Day  1783  Peter  Cross 

John. Hale 


State  of  New  Hampshier  Hillsborough  ss 
nottingham  west  November  3^*^  Day  1783 

then  the  above  & hear  named  Dec.  Ebenezer  Cumings  & Left 
Peter  Cross  & John  Hale  & Cap^  Abraham  Page  all  personally 
appeal'd  and  after  Due  Caution  and  Careful  axamination  made 
Solemn  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  Deposition  by  them  Re- 
spectivly  Signed  and  that  is  all  they  knew  of  the  matter  they  re- 
late to  which  tistimonys  were  taken  to  be  used  at  the  General 
Court  now  Seting  at  Concord  taken  at  the  request  of  Jonathan 
Searles  the  Petitioner  the  adverse  partie  nameley  Thomos  Cald- 
well was  present  at  Time  of  Caption  Sworn  out  of  Court 

Before  me  Asa  Davis  Justice  of  peace 


[5—159]  \^Statement  relative  to  Building  the  Boad, 

Where  as  we  the  Subscribers  are  well  acquanted  with  the 
Dispute  that  hath  for  a long  time  subsisted  betwixt  Jonathan 
Searls  and  thomas  Caldwell  Both  of  Nottingham  West  respect- 
ing a Road  from  said  Caldwell®  by  said  Searls®  House  into  the 
country  Road  leading  from  Henry  Huey®  to  Alexander  Caldw^ 
We  think  it  highly  reasonable  on  account  of  Both  Caldwell®  and 
Searles®  Benefit  and  the  Neighbours  in  general  that  s^  road 
shold  be  opned  and  whereas  the  said  Searls  seems  to  be  unwil- 
ling on  account  of  the  cost  in  building  the  fence  on  which  ac- 
count we  have  no  desire  said  Searls  should  be  burdened  in  Tes- 
tamony  whereof  we  promise  that  on  condition  the  above  said 
road  should  be  opened  in  Order  to  help  said  Searls  to  make  said 
fence  each  one  of  us  for  ourSelves  will  work  or  Cause  to  be 
wrought  at  said  fence  the  Time  afixed  to  Each  of  our  Names 

Nottingham  west  October  30*^ 


HUDSON. 


285 


Mens  Work 

Ox  Work 

Moses  Hadley  — 

two  days 

Nathan  Winn 

Self  one  day 

George  Burns 

three  days  work 

Isaac  Hard 

two  days  work 

James  wason 

Two  days  work 

James  Wason 

I day 

Jame  Caldwell 

I D 

Samuel  Wason 

two  Days 

Thomas  Wason 

Two  Days 

John  smith 

Three  days 

Joseph  

two  days 

Hanry  Hardy 

Two  days 

Bar®  Gibson 

3 day®  — 

2 day® 

Thomas  Caldwell 

4 

3 Days 

Nathaniel  Sceavy 

3 Days 

[5-158]  \^More  7'elative  to  said  Road.~\ 

To  the  Hon*’*®  the 

council  and  house  of  Representatives  for  y 

state  of  Newhampshire  in  general  assembly  convened  at  Con- 
cord the  First  thursday  of  November  Annoque  Domini  1783 — 

The  Petition  of  Nathaniel  Sceavy  of  Nottingham  West  in  the 
county  of  Hillsborroiigh  and  state  aforesaid  Blacksmith 

Most  Humbly  sheweth,tbat  whereas  Jonathan  Searls  of  Not- 
tingham aforsaid  did  in  the  month  of  June  1783,  prefere  a peti- 
tion to  the  Hon'’^*  council  and  assembly  of  the  state  aforsaid 
praying  that  the  report  of  a committee  of  the  Hon*’*®  the  Court 
of  General  Session  of  the  peace  for  the  county  aforsaid  Respect- 
ing a road  laid  out  by  said  committee  of  two  rods  wide  from 
Thomas  Caldwell®  House  as  the  road  was  then  trod  by  s*^  Searls® 
Flouse  into  the  country  road — and  the  order  of  the  aforsaid  court 
thereon,  might  be  Nullified  and  said  road  be  made  subject  to 
gates  and  bars — which  will  be  Verry  Injurious  to  your  petition- 
er and  many  others. — Your  petitioner  have  Built  a House  and 
settled  on  a piece  of  Newland  about  seventy  Rods  south  of  said 
Caldwell  and  is  determined  to  work  at  the  Blacksmith®  Trade 
and  have  not  the  lest  prospect  of  the  priviledge  of  a road  as  a 
Town  Inhabitant  anv  other  way  only  by  the  aforsaid  Road 
therefore  your  petitioner  Most  humbly  prays  your  Honours  will 
Establish  the  aforsaid  committee®  report  and  order  of  the  hon*’*® 
court  of  session  thereon  or  grant  your  petitioner  such  other 
helps  as  to  your  Honours  in  vour  Wisdom  shall  seem  just  and 
Equal  and  your  petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
November  3*^  1783 


Nathaniel  Sceavy 


286 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-116]  \_Petition  of  Sa7' ah  Bi'adbuiy^  lySo : addressed 

to  the  Ge7ieral  Asse77ibly 

The  petition  of  Sarah  Bradbury  of  nottinghamwest  In  said 
state  widow  Humbly  shueth  that  your  petitioner’s  Husband  en- 
tered Into  the  Contanantal  army  about  three  years  ago  and  that 
he  Died  on  His  Return  from  a march  to  the  Indean  Cuntry 
with  general  Sullivan  Last  fall  that  your  petitioners  s^  husband 
has  had  the  Caracter  of  Doing  the  Duty  of  a faithful  good  sol- 
dier both  In  the  most  of  the  Last  french  war  and  the  present 
war  with  great  Bretton  In  the  Capasity  of  a Sargent.  * * * 

Nottinghamwest  february  17S0 — 

Sarah  Bradbery 

[She  further  stated  that  she  was  left  with  a family  of 
small  children,  and  asked  for  assistance. — Ed.] 


[R.  2—118]  \_Petition  of  Richard  Cutter^  Soldier^ 

The  Petition  of  Richard  Cutter  of  Nottingham-West  Humbly 
Sheweth  That  your  Petitioner  was  a soldier  in  Cap*  Samuel 
Darbin  Company  of  Colo  Stephen  Peabody^  Regiment  in  the 
year  177S,  from  the  tenth  Day  of  June  to  the  first  Day  of  Janu- 
ary, which  is  six  months  and  twenty  Days — That  your  Petition- 
er for  all  that  service,  received  only  one  months  pay,  from  the 
hands  of  the  Muster  Master  Colo  Noah  Lovewell — That  your 
Petitioner  has  very  frequently  requested  his  wages  of  Cap*  Dar- 
bin (who  had  the  money  from  the  state  to  pay  the  Soldiers)  but 
never  could  obtain  a farthing,  nor  ever  expects  to.  Therefore 
beg  your  Honors  to  make  him  a compensation  for  the  afores** 
Services  : 

RiclP  Cutter 

Nottingham-West  March  18**^ 


[5-157]  \_Asa  Davis  recoTnmeTtded for  a Magistrate^  77^5.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Hillsborough 
To  his  Excelency  the  President  of  Said  State,  and  honorable 
Council  Convened  the  humble  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  of 
Nottingham-West  in  S*^  County,  Sheweth  that  whereas  by  our 
new  Constitution  we  under  Stand  that  all  Commissions  both 
Civel  & military  are  now  Vacated,  and  that  a new  arrangement 
is  to  take  place  we  your  petitionrs  in  be  half  of  S*^  Town  Hum- 
bly pray  that  your  Excelency,  and  hoiP®,  in  role  Asa  Davies 


HUDSON. 


287 


Esq*"  to  Continue  as  Justice  of  the  peace  for  County  and 
Town  as  he  has  given  general  Setisfection  in  office,  and  as 


in  duty  bound  Shall 
Dated  Notingham 

Robert  Stuart 
Samual  burbank 
Henry  Chase 
Joseph  Winn 
Jonathan  Hardy 
Joseph  Wilson 
John  Merrel 
Isaac  Coburn 
bengamen  marshel 
Zaccheus  Colburn 
Samuel  Pollard 
Thomas  Pollard 
James  Pollard 
Thaddeus  Wilson 
Henry  Farwel  Mar- 
shall 

Abigail  Winn  Wd 
Joseph  Winn 
John  Chase 
Joseph  B Wilson 
Jonathn  Gould 
Joseph  Gould 
Andrew  Sceavy 
James  Sceavy 
Isaac  Chase 
Thomas  Whittaker 
Abner  Watkins 
Capt  David  Cum- 
ming 


pray, 

west  Jan’’^  y®  26  y^  i 

James  Wason 
Thomas  Wason 
James  Caldwell 
Joseph  Caldwell 
Samuel  Wason 
Nath®^  Sceavy 
Eliphlet  hadley 
Enos  hadley 
Abraham  Page 
Benjamin  hadley 
Nathaniel  Haseltine 
Henery  Hale  iu 
Page  Smith 
Wid  Sary  binney 
Henry  Morrill 
John  Hale 
Robert  petane 
Jonathan  Bradley 
Alexander  Caldwell 
Henrey  hucy 
Samuel  Caldwell 
Robert  Glover 
Jonathen  Sarles 
Elelhen  Sarles 
Samuel  Smith 
Samuel  Smith  Junii 
Hugh  Smith 
John  Smith  Juner 


78s 

John  Smith 
Samuel  Smith  the  3 
thomas  Smith 
Sith  Wyman 
friend  moody 
Joshua  frensh 
Sam'  french 
Peter  Youngman 
John  Butler 
John  butler  Jun 
Jams  farmer 
Ebneser  Poolerd 
Jeremiah  Blodget 
Asahel  Blodget 
Benaiah  Blodge 
Joseph  Blodget 
Joseph  Blodget  J'^ 
Phinihes  Wheeler 
Blodget 

Jonathan  tenney 
Jonathen  blodgat 
James  Pemberton 
William  atwood 
Joseph  Bradly 
Eliphalet  Hadley 
Stephen  Hadley 
Jacobet  Esmons 


[5-156]  S^Petition  fo7'  a?i  Incorporation  of  a Library^  ^797'~\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Convened  at  Portsmouth  November  1797 

Humbly  Sheweth  that  the  under  Signed  Inhabitants  of  Not- 
tingham west  with  their  associates,  have  been  at  Considerable 
Expence  in  purchasing  Books  in  order  to  astablish  a Library  in 
Said  Nottingham — but  finding  themselves  under  Some  Disad- 
vantages for  the  want  of  an  incorporation  pray  your  Honours 
that  they  with  Such  others  as  may  hereafter  Join  them,  may  be 
incorporated  into  a body  Politic  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and 


288 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Such  Rules  and  Regulations  as  your  Honours  think  proper — 
and  as  your  petitioners  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  pray — 

Sam®^  Marsh 
Joseph  Winn 
Phinehas  Underwood 
Eleazer  Cummings 
John  Pollard 
Joseph  Greeley 

Nottingh™  West  November  i797 

[An  act  was  passed  December  9,  1797,  incorporating  the 
library  by  the  name  of  Nottingham  West  Social  Library.” 
— Ed.] 


JACKSON. 

This  town  was  incorporated  December  4,  1800,  by  the 
name  of  Adams.  It  included  Fowle’s  Location  ; the  grant 
to  Lt.  Samuel  Gilman,  of  Newmarket,  of  2,000  acres,  made 
March  i,  1770;  the  grant  of  3,000  acres  made  to  Capt. 
Richard  Gridley,  February  5,  1773  ; the  grant  to  Capt. 
Robert  Rogers,  of  Portsmouth,  of  3,000  acres,  made  July  4, 
1764;  the  grant  of  8,740  acres,  made  March  4,  1774,  to 
Mark  Hunking  Wentworth,  Daniel  Rogers,  and  Jacob 
Treadwell,  of  Portsmouth;  and  13,893!  acres  of  land  be- 
longing to  the  state.  Jonathan  and  Clement  Meserve  peti- 
tioned for  the  incorporation  in  1796,  and  again  in  1797.  The 
grants  to  Gilman,  Gridley,  and  Rogers  were  made  for  ser- 
vice in  the  French  war,  by  virtue  of  a proclamation  of  the 
king,  of  October  7,  1763. 

Capt.  Gridley  was  in  command  of  a regiment  under  Gen. 
Amherst  at  Crown  Point  in  1756;  was  at  Louisbourg  in 
1758,  and  went  from  thence  with  the  Fleet,  and  acted  at 
the  Seige  of,  and  Reduction  of  Quebec  in  1759,  with  the 
forces  under  General  Wolfe.” 

June  14,  1806,  300  acres  of  state  land  in  Adams  was 
granted  the  town  for  school  purposes. 

June  22,  1819,  the  farm  of  ‘‘  William  Stephens  ” was  sev- 
ered from  Adams,  and  annexed  to  Bartlett. 

July  3,  1822,  the  farm  of  Nathaniel  Carlton  was  severed 
from  Bartlett,  and  annexed  to  Adams. 


JACKSON. 


289 


July  3,  1839,  the  farms  of  Nathaniel  Tufts  and  Stephen 
Carleton,  2d,  were  severed  from  Bartlett,  and  annexed  to 
this  town. 

The  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  Jackson,  July  4, 
1829,  in  honor  of  Andrew  Jackson,  then  president  of  the 
United  States.  It  received  its  first  name  when  John  Adams 
was  president. 


[5—174]  \_Petition  for  an  l7ico7foratio7i^  /ypd.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representativ^es  in 
General  Court  convened  at  Exeter  on  Wednesday  the  first  day 
of  June  1796 

The  petition  of  Jonathan  Meserve  and  Clement  Meserve  hum- 
bly Sheweth  your  petitioners  having  moved  with  themselves  & 
Families  on  Gridley’s  Location  in  the  County  of  Grafton  and  the 
most  northerly  part  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  and  the  most 
Mountanious  part  of  the  State,  and  perhaps  the  most  moimta- 
nious  part  of  North  America,  but  by  the  Industry  & exertions  of 
your  petitioners  & Families  has  been  a means  of  bringing  a num- 
ber of  good  Settlers  on  the  other  Locations  adjoining  viz  Went- 
worth’s Roger’s,  Gilmans,  and  Martins  Locations,  and  Land  sold 
by  the  Commitee  for  makeing  & reparing  Roads  from  Conway  to 
Cohas, — but  Still  your  petitioners  & other  Settlers  is  put  to  many 
ditficulties  in  that  Mountanious  Country  for  want  of  haveing 
good  Roads  & in  no  regular  order  to  do  anything  in  respecte  to 
Roads  Schools  &c  but  what  every  Man  thinks  proper  to  do  by 
his  own  free  will.  All  which  is  a very  great  Greviance  and  Dis- 
couragement to  the  Settlement  of  the  Northerly  part  of  the  State 
therefore  your  petitioners  pray  a Township  may  be  laid  out 
joining  Southerly  on  Bartlett  Easterly  on  Chatham,  Northerly 
on  Shelburne  Addition  and  Westerly  on  the  White  Hills,  In- 
cluding the  Locations  before  mentioned.  According  to  a plan 
herewith  exhibited  & incorporated  with  all  the  privileges  that 
other  Towns  in  the  State  have  & enjoy  and  vour  petitioners 
pray  that  all  the  unlocated  Land  contained  in  said  plan  may  be 
granted  to  your  petitioners  and  associates  on  such  terms  & Con- 
ditions as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  proper  and  your  pe- 
titioners as  in  dutv  bound  shall  ever  Pray. — 

June  y®  25  1796  Jonathan  Meserve 

Clement  Meserve 

[The  plan  is  No.  175  in  manuscript  volume.  .It  is  well 
executed,  showing  points  of  compass  and  distances,  bounds 
of  the  locations,  etc. — Ed.] 

21 


290 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-176]  \^Another  Petitioii  relative  to  Incorporatio7i^  ^797 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Corte  convened  at  Con- 
cord on  the  first  Wednesday  in  June  1797 — 

Respectfully  Sheweth  Jonathan  Meserve  and  Clement  Meserv'e 
now  living  on  Gridley’s  Location  in  the  County  of  Grafton  and 
State  aforeSaid  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  those  of  vour  Citer- 
sons  living  upon  the  Tracts  of  land  hereafter  Discribed  and  for 
those  who  may  hereafter  reside  thereon.  That  the  present  In- 
habitants labor  under  many  and  Singular  Disadvantages  by  rea- 
son of  not  being  in  a situation  to  trancat  public  buseness,  and 
also  that  the  granted  lands  within  Said  limits  is  not  Sufficiant  to 
make  a Town.  That  their  are  some  unofranted  lands  within 
Said  limits  but  mostly  mountains  which  cannot  be  of  no  real 
ser\'ice  to  this  State  but  if  granted  might  be  Som  to  the  Set- 
tlers Wherefore  they  pray  your  Honors  to  Incorporate  all  the 
Lands  "with  the  Inhabitants  thereon  within  the  lines  and  boun- 

darvs  herein  after  Set  forth  into  a Town  bv  the  name  of 

and  grante  to  them  your  petinors  and  their  Heirs  and  Assigns 
forever  all  the  ungranted  lands  within  Said  lines  and  boundarys 
under  such  restrictions  as  may  appear  proper  Beginning  at  the 
Sothwesterlv  corner  of  fowlses  Location  thence  nmninor  wester- 
Iv  by  Bartlet  to  Bartlet  norwesterlv  corner  bounds  thence  north- 
lev  to  the  Southwesterly  corner  of  Rogers  and  Wentworths  Lo- 
cation then  running:  nothlev  to  Shilburn  addition  leaving:  the 
white  hills  to  the  west  so  to  include  Martins  Location  and  others 
then  bv  Shilburn  addition  to  the  Province  of  main  thence  by  Said 
province  of  Main  to  Chatham  north  westerly  corner  thense  by 
Chatham  to  the  first  mention  bounds.  These  petitioners  further 
pray  vour  Honors  that  if  to  you  it  Shall  Seem  proper  that  a 
hearing  on  this  petition  may  be  granted  at  your  next  Session 
and  that  in  the  mean  time  Sum  Sutable  measures  may  be  pur- 
sued as  will  furnish  you  with  the  evidence  whairby  to  enable 
vou  to  Judge  and  Determine  respecting  the  propertity  of  grant- 
ing the  prayer  of  your  Petitioners  and  they  as  in  Duty  bound 
will  ever  pray — 

Jonathan  Meserve 

Clement  Meserve 


' [5-177]  \_Afiot/ier^  relative  to  Incorporating  a Town^ 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  convened — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Fowls  Gilman’s  Gridley’s 


JAFFREY. 


291 


Roofers’  Wentworth’s  and  Treadwell’s  Locations  in  the  County 
of  Grafton  and  State  of  Newhampshire  Humbly  shews — 

That  your  Petitioners  are  greatly  incommoded  by  reason  of 
their  unincorporated  situation — That  they  forego  many  & singu- 
lar advantages  which  Towns  corporate  enjoy,  and  labour  un- 
der embarrassments  from  which,  in  a corporate  capacity,  they 
would  be  exempt — That  they,  by  legal  process,  are  unable  to 
make  and  repair  necessary  roads  & highways  and  to  raise  mon- 
ey for  the  support  of  schools  and  the  JMinistry  in  the  aforesaid 
Locations — That  the  Grievances  abovementioned  can  only  be 
redressed  by  an  act  of  Incorj^oration — That  the  aforesaid  Loca- 
tions are  capable  of  forming  a convenient  Town — Wherefore 
your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  that  said  Locations  may  be  formed 
& incorporated  into  a Township  to  be  known  and  called  by  the 

name  of and  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray — 

May  i6‘^  AD  1799 — 

Petitioner’s  Names — 


Clement  Meserve 
John  Young 
John  Parkins 
Isaac  Meserve 
Samuel  Jenkins 
Jonathan  MeserveJ 
Henry  Sawyer 
Natthanniel  Davis 
Isaac  Darburn 
James  Canney 
Silas  Meserve 
Ephraim  Meserve 
Andrew  Chesley 


Samuel  Gray  Junie 
Timothy  Perkins 
Samuel  Gray 
Daniel  Nute 
Jonathan  Meserve 
John  Meserve 
John  Nute 
Ralph  hall 
Daniel  Meserve 
Benjamin  Pitman 
Joseph  Pitman 
Joseph  D Pinkham 
Nathaniel  Chesley 


Joseph  Pinkham 
George  Pinkham 
Benjamin  Copp 
Benjamin  Copp 
Junyer 

William  Copp 
James  Trickev 
Ephraim  Trickey 
Daniel  Pinkham 
Rufus  Pinkham 
Samuel  Rogars 


[They  were  successful  this  time.  The  town  was  incorpo- 
rated by  an  act  approved  Dec.  4.  1800,  and  named  in  honor 
of  President  John  Adams. — Ed.] 


JAFFREY. 

The  township  was  granted  November  30,  1749,  by  the 
Masonian  Proprietors,  to  Jonathan  Hubbard  and  thirty-nine 
others,  residents  of  Hollis,  Dunstable,  and  Lunenburg,  and 
was  known  by  the  names  of  Monadnock  No.  2,  Middle  Mo- 
nadnock,  and  Middletown,  until  it  was  incorporated  by  the 


2Q2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


governor  and  council  August  17,  1773.  and  named  in  honor 
of  Hon.  George  Jaffrey,  a member  of  the  council.  The  first 
meeting  of  the  proprietors  was  held  in  the  house  of  Joseph 
French,  of  Dunstable,  January  16,  1750.  Settlements  were 
made  by  Moses  Stickneyand  others  in  1752,  but  were  aban- 
doned. In  1758  permanent  settlements  were  made  by  John 
Grout  and  others.  Wolves  had  dens  on  the  Monadnock 
mountain,  and  occasionally  one  was  killed.  In  1793  Benja- 
min Dole  killed  four  and  Benjamin  Spaulding  one,  and  each 
received  a bounty  therefor. 

The  township  granted  was  a parallelogram,  nearly  rectan- 
gular, five  miles  by  seven,  and  so  remains  to  this  day. 

Lieut.  John  Harper,  Jacob  Pierce,  Benjamin  Dole,  John 
Dole,  and  Dudley  Griffin  were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 

Ebenezer  Hathornewas  a veteran  of  the  French  war,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  at  the  surrender  of  Fort 
William  Henry.  He  manufactured  steelyards  as  early  as 
1775,  and  one  of  his  make  is  now  in  use  in  the  family  of  the 
editor  of  this  volume,  who  is,  maternally,  a lineal  descendant 
of  said  Hathorne. 


[5-1 78]  \^Boiuids  of  the  To-xnship,  as  granted  B^ovember 

30,  i749‘] 

The  Bownds  of  y®  Township  of  middle  monadnock  X°  Two 
In  V®  Countv  of  Cheshire  and  province  of  New  Hampshire  as 
Bv  V®  originall  Charter  Signed  Bv  Joseph  Blanchard  Esq^  of 
Said  Township  appears  is  as  follows  (viz)  — 

Begining  at  y®  Southwest  Corner  of  Peterborough  Slip  So 
called  from  thence  Riming  North  Eighty  degrees  west  Seven 
miles  to  a Hemlock  Tree  marked  from  thence  Runins:  North  bv 
V®  Needle  five  miles  to  a Hemlock  Tree  marked  from  thence 
Runins  South  Eigfhtv  dejirees  East  Seven  miles  to  a Beach 
Tree  marked  in  v®  west  Line  of  Peterborough  from  thence 
South  bv  V®  Needle  to  v®  first  Bounds  mentioned — 

a True  Copv  Examined — 

per  Matthew  Wallace  Pro®  Clerk — 


[5-1  So]  \_Petltion  for  a?i  Incorporatioti  of  the  To~jl'?i^  ^77J*3 
Province  of  New  Hamp® 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General. 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief,  in  and  over  his  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  Same 
in  Council : — 


JAFFREY. 


293 


The  Petition  of  Enoch  Hale  of  Rindge,  in  the  County  of 
Cheshire  in  the  Province  aforesaid  Esq*"  in  behalf  of  the  Inbi- 
tants  of  a Township  commonly  known  by  the  Name  of  Monad- 
nock  N°  2 or  middle  Monadnock,  unto  Your  Excellency  & 
Honours  humbly  Shews — 

That  the  Said  Township  is  now  setled  with  more  than  forty 
Families,  And  many  more  that  have  begun  Settlements  that 
they  will  shortly  remove  on,  That  they  are  destitute  of  the 
legal  Privileges  & Franchises  of  Corporate  Towns,  whereby 
they  suffer  many  Inconveniences  for  Want  of  Town  Officers, 
and  especially  at  this  Time,  when  they  are  taxed  for  the  Sup- 
j3ort  of  the  Government,  but  cannot  legally  assess  or  collect  the 
same,  and  are  also  unable  to  warn  out  any  Poor,  idle  Vagrants, 
That  too  frequently  force  themselves  into  New  Towns,  to  the 
manifest  Injury  of  such  Towns  in  particular,  & the  Province  in 
General 

Wherefore  your  Petitioner  humblv  prays  (in  behalf  of  his 
Constituents,  the  Inhabitants  aforesaid)  That  ExcelP  & 
Honours  would  be  pleased  to  condescend,  to  indulge  them  with 
the  Corporate  Priviledges  of  other  Towns  in  this  Province,  for 
the  Purposes  aforesaid,  and  That  they  may  have  a Charter 
thereof,  by  such  a New  Name  as  your  Excellency  may  think 
proper  to  give  unto  said  Township,  and  as  in  Duty  bound,  Yr 
Petitioner  & his  Constituents  shall  ever  pray — 

Portsm®  Aug^^'  i6‘^  i773*  Enoch  Hale 

[In  answer  to  the  foregoing,  the  town  was  incorporated 
August  17,  1773.  Col.  Hale  was  employed  by  the  town  as 
agent  in  the  matter. — Ed.] 


[S-.81]  [ Case  of  Assault  before  Courts  were  established  in 

the  County^  7775.] 

To  the  Honourable  Provential  Congress  Gentelmen 

Whereas  M''  Benjemin  Nutting  of  Petterborough  Slip  So 
Called  has  Entred  a Complaint  to  us  the  Sub*"®  (the  Committee 
of  Corrispondance  for  the  town  of  Jaffrey  in  the  County  of 
Chesher  and  province  of  New  hampshire)  Against  M*"  John 
Davis  Jun*’  of  Jaffrey  in  the  County  and  province  Aforesaid, 
that  upon  the  Second  day  of  October  instant  as  he  came  to  the 
house  of  John  Eaton  in  this  town  upon  Some  Bussiness  he  was 
assidted  By  the  Above  said  Davis  and  Abused  in  the  Most 
Solem  maner  as  appears  By  Sundry  Evidences  Produced  by  S^ 
Nutting  and  Notwithstanding  S'^  Davis  was  Notified  to  Attend 
to  hear  the  Evidence  Examind  he  Refused  to  attend  and  he  has 
often  Been  Requested  to  Settle  the  matter  But  he  Remains  Ob- 
stinate and  persists  in  his  Villany  with  insolence  we  have  Care- 


294 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


fully  Examind  the  Evidences  and  have  herein  inclosed  their 

Depotions  we  Earnestly  Desire  you  to  take  this  Matter  into 

your  Consideration  and  Either  Determin  the  Matter  Between 

them,  or  invest  this  Committee  with  a proper  Authority  to  Act 

thereon  also  we  Desire  Some  instructions  how  to  proceed  in 

Said  Case,  Gentelmen  your  Complyance  will  Greatly  Oblidge 

your  humble  Servants 

Dated  at  Jaftrey  October  y®  27^^  ^775* 

Tesher  Bailey  ^ r 

f Comittee  or 
Will'"  Turner  h i 

o i Cornspondance 

Roger  Gilmore  ) ^ 

N.  B this  Davis  Mentioned  by  the  Evidences  in  their  Depo- 
tetions  is  the  Same  John  Davis  Jun'  Mentioned  Above 


\_Evidence  relative  to  foregoingJ^ 

M”^  Eatons  Evidence  on  the  2^  day  of  October  1775 

I heard  M*"  Nutting  and  m*"  Davis  Disputing  Concerning 
Some  Accompts  Between  them  & M*’ Davis  would  have  Nutting 
offsett  Some  part  of  their  accompt  and  he  would  not  for  some 
Reasons  which  he  then  Mentioned  and  S*^  he  would  Die  first 
Davis  S'^  then  he  Should  Die  then  he  Seized  him  By  the  Collar 
and  Struck  him  on  the  head  twice  and  then  Struck  him  on  his 
Shoulders  three  or  four  times  and  threatened  him  that  he  would 
Strip  his  Skin  ofi'his  Back  and  Break  his  Bones  and  knock  his 
teeth  Down  his  throat  and  make  him  keep  his  Bed  three  weeks, 
and  then  pulled  him  Down  the  hill  toward  the  River  and  Said 
he  would  throw  him  in  the  River  But  he  did  not  and  Struck 
him  again  twice  on  the  Road  and  then  he  Let  him  Come  up 
again  to  the  house  and  then  took  him  By  the  Shoulders  and 
Struck  him  twice  again,  & I heard  him  Say  he  had  then  taken 
the  Intrest  and  it  Should  Not  Be  Long  Before  he  would  have 
the  principal,  and  During  the  Whole  Affair  I did  not  hear  M' 
Nutting  threaten  nor  abuse  M*"  Davice  Neither  with  bad  Lan- 
gage  nor  otherwise 

John  Eaton 

Jaffrey  October  y®  27^''  ^775 

on  the  Second  Day  of  October  1775*  I Came  to  M' John 
Eatons  and  I See  John  Davis  Jun’’  take  M''  Benj"  Nutting  By 
the  Collar  and  Shak  him  and  Strike  him  twice  and  threatened 
he  would  pull  him  Down  and  throw  him  in  the  pond  M*"  Nut- 
ting Received  all  this  Abuse  with  patiance  and  did  not  abuse 
m'"  Davis  with  Bad  Langage  nor  otherwise 

Nehemiah  Porter 

Jaffrey  October  y®  27*'^  ^775 


JAFFREY. 


295 


Some  time  Since  the  Quarrel  Between  M*’  Nutting  and  m*^ 
Davise  these  two  Gentelmen  above  mentioned  Meet  accedenti- 
aly  at  my  house  m’’  Daniel  Davise  Being  also  at  my  house  we 
Motioned  to  them  to  have  them  accomadat  their  Difficulty  M*” 
Davise  answered  he  wase  in  a passion  But  he  Did  not  Care  a 
Divels  tord  about  it  and  he  Swore  he  had  taken  the  Intrest  and 
he  intended  to  have  the  principal  soon 

James  Haywood 

Jaffrey  October  y®  27^^  ^775 

upon  monday  the  23*^  Day  of  October  instant  M*"  Davise  Came 
to  my  house  I asked  what  induced  him  to  Qiiarrel  with  M"" 
Nutting  he  Said  that  their  was  No  other  way  to  Get  his  Dues 
and  all  he  was  Sorry  for  was  that  he  had  No  Given  him  as 
much  Again  and  that  there  was  no  other  way  to  get  his  Debts 
and  that  was  as  good  a way  as  any  he  also  told  me  of  one  man 
that  killed  another  at  Nottingham  Latley  and  Said  their  was  no 
Law  if  one  man  did  kill  another,  he  Said  the  Congress  had  put 
the  Above  mentioned  man  in  Goal  But  Could  not  do  nothing 
with  him  and  was  oblidged  to  Let  him  go 

Jaffrey  October  y®  27^^  ^775* 

John  Stanley 


[R.  2-1 19]  \^Petition  of  Daniel  Russell^  Soldier^  ^777*] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 

of  said  State — 

The  Petition  of  Daniel  Russell  Humbly  Sheweth  that  your 
Petitioner  Engaged  in  the  service  of  his  Country  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  i777  was  wounded  through  his  body  the 

19  of  September  following  while  fighting  with  the  enemy  near 
Stillwater  which  wound  Disabled  him  from  fighting  From 
thence  he  was  carried  to  Albony  Hospitual  where  he  Received 
A Furlough  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  Return  Home,  and  im- 
mediately put  himself  under  the  care  of  the  best  Surgeon,  or 
Surgeons  he  could  Find,  and  was  unable  to  Return  to  his  Reg- 
iment or  any  other  corps,  till  October  1778  then  went  to  Bos- 
ton and  was  found  unfit  for  any  Duty  and  Received  a furlough 
of  the  Hon.  Gen* : Gates  and  Returned  Home  and  was  under  a 
Necessity  to  put  himself  under  the  care  of  a surgeon  and  when 
his  Furlough  was  Expired  then  Returned  to  Boston  and  was 
found  unfit  for  any  Duty  and  again  furloughed  and  so  from  time 
to  time  untill  the  three  year  he  engaged  for  was  Expired  Then 
the  Honourable  Court  Put  him  under  half  pay  as  he  was  unable 
to  earn  his  support — The  wound  your  Petioner  receiv^ed  was 


296 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


open  from  his  side  to  his  Back  Almost  five  years  by  reason  of 
his  Ribs  being  Fractured.  * * * 

Daniel  Russell 

Jaftrey  June  3*^  lySfi* 

[He  further  stated  that  his  pension  was  paid  him  in  notes 
that  were  of  little  value,  and  asked  for  some  relief.  In  a 
petition  dated  March  4,  1779,  the  said  Russell  stated  that 
he  was  in  Capt.  Blodgett’s  Co.  of  Col.  Hale’s  Reg’t ; that  he 
was  furloughed  at  Albany  October  20,  1777,  and  was  eleven 
days  getting  home,  after  which  he  was  under  the  care  of 
Dr.  John  Young  of  Peterborough,  and  Dr.  Jonas  Prescott ; 
was  examined  in  Boston  by  “ Dr.  John  Warren,  Surgeon 
General.”  After  that  he  was  under  the  care  of  “ Doc‘  ado- 
nijah  How  of  Jaffrey.”  March  5,  1779,  Roger  Gilmore  and 
Abrm.  Bailey,  selectmen,  and  Dr.  How  certified  to  his  con- 
dition as  stated  in  his  petetion. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-122]  \^Petition  of  EpJi7'ahn  Adams,  Soldier,  ^77^.] 

[In  a petition  dated  Jaffrey,  June  10,  1779,  Ephraim  Ad- 
ams stated  that  he  enlisted  in  the  R.  I.  expedition  in  Au- 
gust, 1778  ; took  his  horse  with  him,  and  said  horse  was 
taken  from  him  by  order  of  Gen.  Whipple  for  the  use  of  the 
army.  He  asked  to  be  paid  ;£i30,  which  was  the  sum  ap- 
praised by  Roger  Gilmore,  Hugh  Dunlop,  and  William 
Turner*  selectmen  of  Jaffrey.  This  petition  was  not  grant- 
ed, but  one  presented  in  1786  was,  to  the  extent  of  — 
Ed.] 


[R.  2-126]  \^Soldiers’  Orders.^ 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

S’"  Please  to  Pay  to  the  Barrel*  Will’"  Smiley  all  the  Wagers 
that  is  Due  to  me  for  my  services  in  the  year  1781  Per  me 

Benjamin  Dole 

Jaffrey  Feb.  7 ' 

New  Hampshire  ) these  may  Certify  that  Benjamin  Dole  of 
Cheshire  ss  j Jaffrey  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  is  Soule 
heir  to  John  Dole  Late  of  Jaffrey  Deceased  who  Dyed  at  Albany 
march  the  15  day  1782 

Joseph  Thorndike  Justice  Peace 


Jaffrey  OcF  y®  14*’^  ^7^4 


JAFFREY. 


297 


JaflVey  Feb.  17S5 

To  the  Honourable  John  Taylor  Gilman  Esq''  Treasurer  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  Sir  Be  pleased  to  pay  the 
bearer  my  whole  wages  which  is  due  for  three  months  service 
in  the  Armey  in  the  year  Eighty  one  in  Cap*  Philip  Thomas 
Company  and  this  shall  be  your  discharge 

T4,  14,  4.  Asaph  Brigham 


[R.  2-127]  \^Petition  of  Lucy  IVessou, 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Councill  and  House  of  Representatives 

of  said  state — 

The  Petition  of  the  Widow  Lucy  Wesson  Humbly  Sheweth 
that  your  Petitioners  Husband  Isaac  Wesson  inlisted  into  the 
years  service  177S  and  was  born  upon  the  musterroll  till  the 
First  of  April  1779  and  has  not  returned  nor  been  hear  of  sence 
but  by  the  best  information  is  Dead,  your  Petitioner  is  left  with 
a Family  of  small  Children  and  stands  in  need  of  her  Hus- 
bands wages  (what  there  is  due)  and  cannot  find  out  as  there 
is  any  way  for  her  to  come  at  them  She  prays  therefore  that 
your  Honours  would  take  her  case  under  your  wise  Considera- 
tion and  Grant  her  such  Releaf  as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall 
think  Fit  and  she  as  in  duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray. 

JaftVey  Sept.  12  1782 

Lucy  Wesson 

This  may  Certifie  all  hoom  it  may  con  earn  that  Lucy  Wes- 
son was  the  wife  of  Isaac  Wasson  when  he  Entered  the  Con- 
tenantal  Sarvis 

per  us  John  Gilmore  \ 

Benf  Prescott  > Selitemen 
James  Stevens  * 

[Nov.  16,  1782,  she  was  allowed  four  months’  pay  and 
depreciation. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-128]  fames  Turner^  Soldier 

[In  a petition  dated  Feb,  14,  1785,  James  Turner,  of  Jaffrey, 
stated  “ that  he  served  as  a soldier  in  Cap^  W*"  Scotts  Com**y 
& CoF  Henry  Jacksons  Reg*  in  the  Continantal  Army, 
three  years.”  He  further  stated  that  he  had  not  received 
his  allowance  for  depreciation  : he  asked  to  have  it  allowed, 
which  request  was  granted. — Ed.] 


298  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[R.  2-129]  \^Petition  of  Benjamin  Dole^ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives 
Convened  at  Portsmouth  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June 

1785— 

The  petition  of  Benj°  Dole  of  Jaftrey  humbly  sheweth  that 
his  Brother  John  Dole  who  by  will  made  your  Petitioner  his 
heir  did  serve  in  the  army  the  first  eight  months  & being  in  the 
Service  constantly  to  his  death  had  no  opportunity  to  receive 
his  pay  from  the  paymaster  untill  it  died  in  the  depreciation  of 
Continental  money.  This  humbly  prayeth  your  Honours  in 
your  wisdom  to  interpose  for  your  petitioner  that  he  may  not 
be  injured  by  his  constancy  in  Public  Service  & your  Petitioner 
as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Jeftray  May  1785 

Benjamin  Dole 
Exeter  June  17^5* 

This  may  certify,  that  the  wages  due  to  John  Dole  was 
£5,  8,  8,  no  application  was  ever  made  to  me  for  his  wages, 
untill  paper  was  taken  out  of  circulation 

attest  Sam^  Hobart  P M 

[John  Dole  was  in  Capt.  Thomas’s  company,  Col.  James 
Reed’s  regiment,  at  Winter  Hill  in  1775.  The  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[5~^^3]  [^Beturn  of  Ratable  Polls^  77(?j.] 

A return  of  the  Number  of  male  polls  of  Jaftrey  Twenty  onQ 
years  of  age  & upwards  paying  a poll  tax  for  themselves  in  said 
town  Viz  one  hundred  & ninety  polls 
Jaffrcy  December  i3‘*‘  17S3 

Jedidiah  Sawyer  J Selectmen 

John  Briant  y of 

Jereme  Underwood  ) Jaffrey 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamshire — 
Cheshire  ss  Jeffrey  Dec*"  10***  17S3 

Then  the  Above  Named  John  Briant  & Jereme  Underwood 
personlly  Appeared  & made  oath  that  they  head  in  Makeing 
out  the  Above  Return  Acted  faithfully  & Impartailey — 

Before  me  Joseph  Thorndike  Just  Peace. 


JAFFREY. 


299 


1^5-183]  \_Relative  to  Kendall  Parsons^  Soldier. 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  said  State — 

The  Petition  of  John  Gilmore  Humbly  Sheweth  that  you 
Petitioner  did  in  the  year  1779  hire  Kindal  Parson  to  Serve 
in  the  armey  one  year  and  while  the  said  Parson  was  absent 
your  Petitioner’  Did  Supply  the  s'*  Parsons  Family  with  Neces- 
saries of  life  and  when  the  s'*  Parsons  returned  home  finding  his 
Family  in  poor  Circumstancies  and  coidd  get  no  releaf  without 
a bondsman  your  Petitioner  was  bound  for  the  said  parson  and 
was  obliged  to  pay  the  obligation,  and  could  get  no  Satisfaction 
Except  an  order  upon  his  wages  he  had  Coming  from  the  State 
and  as  the  said  Parson  is  now  in  the  Army  your  Petitioner 
Prays  that  your  Honours  would  take  his  Case  under  your  wise 
Consideration  and  grant  the  said  Parson’s  Wages  according  to 
his  order  if  it  can  be  consistant  and  he  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray — 

Jafirey  June  7 17S3. 

John  Gilmore 


[5-184]  [^Petition  for  Authority  to  raise  a Co?npa?iy  of 

Cavalry.^ 

May  it  please  your  Excellency 

We  the  Subscribers  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Jafirey  Beg 
Leave  to  inform  you  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns  of  Jafirey 
Rindge  Fitzwilliam  and  Marlborough  iu  the  County  of  Chesh- 
ire do  Conceive  it  highly  Necessary  for  the  better  Regulation 
of  the  Militia  in  these  towns  and  the  defence  of  this  State  that 
one  Company  of  Light  horse  be  inlisted  and  formed  out  of  the 
Militia  in  the  above  mentioned  towns  and  as  the  first  Officer  for 
said  Company  (viz)  the  Cap*  is  the  Naturel  Right  of  the  town 
of  Jafirey  and  we  understand  that  the  abovesaid  towns  have 
Consented  thereunto  We  would  therefore  for  that  purpose 
Nominate  and  Recomend  our  trusty  friend  and  well  disposed 
Citizen  Namely  Peter  Jones  as  a person  well  Qiialified  for  that 
important  trust  and  Whereas  we  whose  Names  are  Under 
written  are  determined  to  Join  said  Company  if  our  wishes 
take  place  we  would  intreat  your  favour  to  Appoint  and  Com- 
mission the  above  Named  person  as  Cap*  of  said  Company  as 
soon  as  may  be  if  your  Excellency  shall  think  proper,  We  in 
the  Mean  time  Relying  on  your  friendly  disposition  toward  the 
Enlargement  and  defence  of  this  state  and  being  Senceble  of 


300 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  Honourable  Seat  and  Caracter  you  Sustain  vve  willingly 
Submitt  our  above-mentioned  Requsition  to  your  Wisdom  to 
Conduct  as  your  Excellency  shall  think  proper  and  we  the 
Subscribers  as  in  duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray 
Jaffrey  Dec*'  y®  2i®‘  1786 


Joseph  Crosby 
William  Emery 
Josiah  french 
Peter  Bullard 


David  Gilmore 
Moses  Cutter 
Jonas  Adams 
James  Turner 


James  Davison 
Robert  Harkness 
Samuel  Foster 
Alpheus  Crosby 


His  Excellency  John  Sullivan  Esq*"  General  President  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  State  of  New-hampshire 


[5-1 85]  \_lvelative  to  Pete^'boroug'h  Slip^  ^7^7*] 

Jatfrey  June  ^^2  1787 

This  may  certify  that  at  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Freeholders 
and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Jaffrey  (qualified  by  Law 
to  vote  in  town  meetings)  meet  on  may  the  10 — 1787  for  the 
Porpose  of  Seeing  what  the  town  would  do  in  regrard  of  Peter- 
borough Slip®  haveing  a mile  oft'  the  east  Part  of  Jaft'rey. — 
Voted  unaimous  not  to  let  Peterborough  Slip  have  any  part 
oft' the  east  part  of  S'^  town.  Voted  to  Chuse  a committee  of 
five  men  to  Petision  and  Remonstrate  the  General  Court  of  this 
State  that  the  Prayr  of  the  Petision  of  Peterborough  Slip  be  not 
Granted  Chose  M*"  Laban  Ainsworth  Esq*"  Roger  Gilmore, 
Lieu*  Joseph  Bates,  Adonijah  Howe  CoP  Jed*^  Sanger — 

Voted  that  the  Committee  make  a Draught  and  Lay  the  Same 
before  the  town  at  an  adjournment  of  this  meeting  Voted  to  ad- 
journ this  meeting  to  Thursday  24  of  May  instant  at  three 
O Clock  afternoon  May  24  1787  the  inhabitants  of  S'*  Jaft'rey 
being  meet  acording  to  adjornment  the  Remonstrance  Draught- 
ed by  the  aft'ore  Said  Committee  being  read  Voted  to  except  the 
same.  Voted  that  the  remonstrance  be  Presented  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  this  State 
A true  Coppy  Attest 

Adonijah  Howe  Town  Clark  of 
Jaft'rey 


[5—186]  \_Protest  against  Setting  Off  a Po7'tion  of  the  Pown^ 

i787.'\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Cheshire  ss 
To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives, 
Conveened  at  Concord,  in  S^  State,  on  the  first  Wednsday  in 
June 


JAFFREY. 


301 


We  the  Subscribers,  being  a Comittee  in  Behalf  of  the  town 
of  Jaffrey,  beg  Leave  to  present  this  our  Address  and  Remon- 
strance to  this  Hold®  Assembley,  against  a petetion  that  has 
been  perferred  to  the  General  Court  at  their  Last  Session,  by 
Com®®  of  the  inhabitants  of  Sliptown,  So  Called,  praying  that  a 
Strip  one  mile  wide  may  be  taken  oft' the  Southeasterly  part  of 
this  our  town  of  Jaft'rey,  and  that  the  Same  be  Annexed  to  the 
west  end  of  Said  Sliptown,  Which  Measure,  if  Admitted,  will 
Exceedingly  injure,  and  destroy  our  publick  priviledges  and 
Enfranchisments,  which  were  granted  and  Confirmed  by  our 
Charter  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jaft'rey  and  their  Successors  for 
ever,  and  leave  us  in  a vState  of  Anarchy  and  Confussion,  and 
tend  greatly  to  Create  debates,  divisions  and  anomosities  among 
the  now  peacefull  inhabitants  of  this  town,  and  as  the  altering 
of  Charters,  and  adding  and  Lessening  of  the  Territory  and 
Jurisdiction  of  States  and  districts  by  the  Brittish  Ministry,  in 
the  Late  Revolution,  were  Some  of  the  great  Evils  we  Com- 
plained of,  as  being  Contrary  to  the  true  Spirit  and  design  of 
the  English  Constitution  ; and  in  order  to  prevent  these  and 
other  unjust  acts  of  the  Brittish  Parliament  taking  place  in  these 
States,  we  Spent  our  Blood  and  Treasure,  and  obtained  a Corn- 
pleat  and  Glorious  Victory  over  all  Opposition,  So  as  we  Con- 
ceive this  Greavance  we  hereby  Remonstrate  against,  is  in 
Some  measure  Simaler,  we  do  Apprehend  that  no  authority 
men,  or  Body  of  men,  on  any  pertence  whatever,  have  any 
Right  by  Law,  or  by  the  Constitution,  to  alter,  or  deminish  our 
Terretory  or  Jurisdiction,  or  deprive  us  of  any  of  the  priviledges 
and  immunities  granted,  or  Stipulated  to  us,  by  our  Charter, 
without  our  Consent.  Neither  do  we  imagine,  that  any  per- 
son, or  people,  have  any  Right  to  Require,  or  demand  any  of 
our  Sacred  or  Civil  Rights,  that  are  granted  and  Conveyed  to 
us,  by  our  Charter  and  Seek  to  Agrandize,  and  build  themselves 
up  upon  the  Ruins  of  any  of  our  invaluable  Rights  and  privi- 
ledges, and  in  order  the  more  fully,  and  Eft'ectualy  to  Represent 
to  your  hon®  the  great  Evil,  and  distructive  tendancy,  which  the 
above  mentioned  Greivance,  if  Carried  into  Execution,  will 
produce  in  this  town,  we  will  hereby.  Lay  before  your  hon'‘%  a 
detail  of  Some  of  the  Evils,  and  disadvantages  thnt  will  Nature- 
ly  attend  this  measure  if  admitted,  in  the  first  place,  we  have 
Raised,  and  finished  on  an  Eminence  a Large,  and  Statly  meet- 
ting  house,  60  by  45  feet,  and  near  30  feet  post,  Verry  near  the 
Centre  of  our  town,  we  have  Laid  out  ten  acres  of  a Common, 
on  which  the  Meetting  house  Stands,  and  have  Cleared  the 
Same,  and  Spent  thereon  a great  deal  of  Labor,  we  have  laid 
out  on  Said  Common  a Large  Burreing  Yard,  and  fenced  the 
Same  with  great  Stone  wall,  and  there  is  a great  Number  in- 
terred there,  we  have  Settled  a Minister,  and  given  him  a large 


302 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


farm  adjoining  Said  Common,  and  he  has  built  him  a Large 
house  and  Barn  Verry  Near  the  meetting  house,  and  their  is  on 
the  East  Side  line  of  Said  Common  a Row  of  Large  and  Ele- 
gant Buildings,  which  together  with  the  Meetting  house  makes 
a Beautiful  appearance,  and  the  Roads  in  Said  Jaffrey  are  laid 
out,  and  opened.  Leading  to  the  meeting  house  So  as  to  Con- 
veen  the  whole  town,  and  the  town  is  divided  into  School  dis- 
tricts, and  Some  of  these  districts  have  built  their  School 
houses,  and  as  the  town  is  now  Scituated,  the  Most  Remote  in- 
habitants are  Content,  and  the  whole  town  is  Compleatly  Unit- 
ed, and  Chearfuly  Contributes  for  the  Support  of  its  publick 
priviledges,  but  Should  this  unhappy  Measure  take  place  the 
western  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  will  make  applica- 
tion for  the  priviledges  above  mentioned  to  be  moved  to  a New 
Center  and  the  grounds  westward  from  the  meetting  being  Low 
and  Swampy  and  Verry  inconvenant  for  a New  Center  would 
Create  an  Ever  lasting  Qiiarrel  and  dispute  amongst  us  and 
be  attended  with  great  Cost  and  trouble.  Moreover  their  is  a 
Verry  great  mountain  in  this  town  and  a great  Number  of 
Large  ponds  which  Renders  about  the  fourth  part  thereof  not 
habitable  besides  a great  deal  of  other  wast  Land  which  makes 
the  habitable  part  of  this  town  but  barely  Sufficient  to  maintain 
our  minister  and  Support  our  publick  priviledges  also  the  in- 
habitants that  would  be  taken  off,  provided  one  mile  is  Set  off 
to  Sliptown  is  Unanimosly  against  being  Set  off  as  it  would 
greatly  discomode  them  in  their  publick  priviledges  and  Cause 
them  to  be  at  the  Expence  of  Begining  all  anew  to  Build  a 
meetting  house  and  Settle  a Minister  and  then  be  a great  dis- 
tance from  their  Centre  when  at  the  Same  time  they  have  Con- 
tributed their  porportion  here  for  the  Same  priviledges  and  in 
order  to  Manifest  their  desire  they  have  hereunto  Set  their 
names,  furthermore  as  Sliptown  does  lay  only  against  about  the 
one  half  of  the  East  part  of  this  town  their  would  be  a Leg 
about  one  mile  wide  Left  which  if  the  meetting  house  Should 
be  Removed  would  leave  the  inhabitants  of  this  leg  at  a great 
disadvantage,  also  the  County  line  is  between  this  town  and 
Sliptown  and  if  one  mile  is  Set  off  one  part  will  be  in  this 
County  and  the  other  part  in  another  County  and  as  Sliptown 
is  Now  Nearly  Six  miles  from  East  to  west  one  mile  taken  from 
this  town  would  make  it  almost  Seven  miles  long  and  about 
two  or  three  miles  Broad  we  Cannot  Conceive  any  advantage  it 
would  be  to  Sliptown  to  take  one  mile  from  the  South  East 
part  of  this  town  and  add  it  to  that 

The  above  mentioned  Reasons  Contain  a part  of  the  evils  and 
disadvantages  that  would  attend  Such  a Seperation  in  the  mean 
time  we  Refer  the  above  matter  to  your  Wise  Consideration  and 
flatter  our  Selves  that  your  wisdom  will  interpose  in  our  behalf 


JEFFERSON. 


303 


and  deliver  your  Remonstrants  from  the  Evils  that  threaten  us 
and  we  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 

Jaffrey  may  y®  24*^  ^7^7 

Laban  Ainsworth^ 

Roger  Gilmore 

Joseph  Bates  Committee 

Adonij'ah  Howe 
Jed^  Sanger 

We  the  Sub’’®  being  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Jaffrey  which 
is  prayed  for  in  the  petition  of  Peterborroughslip  do  hereby  give 
our  Consent  to  the  within  Address  and  Remonstrance  and  have 
hereunto  Set  our  Names 

Benj’^^  Prescott 
Nathan  Cutter 
William  Pope 
David  Stratton 
Moses  Burdoo 
Benj’“  Noting 
Oliver  Gould 
Oliver  Prescott 
James  Cutter 


JEFFERSON. 

The  township  was  granted  October  3,  1765,  to  Col.  John 
Goffe  of  Derryfield  and  others,  in  64  equal  shares,  by  the 
name  of  Dartmouth.  As  in  case  of  most  of  the  Wentworth 
grants,  one  share  was  reserved  for  a glebe  for  the  Episcopal 
church  ; one  share  for  the  first  settled  minister  ; one  share 
for  the  benefit  of  the  “ Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  and  one  share  for  the  benefit  of 
a school  in  said  town. 

The  proprietors  not  making  settlements  agreeably  to  said 
grant,  it  was  regranted  June  26,  1772,  with  new  boundaries, 
to  Hon.  Theodore  Atkinson  and  other  influential  men  in 
different  parts  of  the  state,  among  whom  were  Col.  Joseph 
Hammond,  Col.  Josiah  Willard,  and  others  from  Cheshire 
county.  Col.  Joseph  Whipple  and  Samuel  Hart,  of  Ports- 
mouth, made  settlements  in  the  town  soon  after  the  regrant, 
but  the  population  increased  slowly,  and  there  were  but 
twenty-four  families  in  town  in  1793. 


304 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


It  was  incorporated  with  town  privileges  December  8, 
1796,  and  named  in  honor  of  Thomas  Jefferson. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  December  7,  1842, 
some  territory  was  severed  frem  Kilkenny,  and  annexed  to 
this  town. 


[5-190]  \^yohn  Goffe  relative  to  Township  Bounds^  J770.] 
Province  of  New  HampslP 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General, 

Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majestys 

Province  aforesaid  in  Council — 

The  Petition  of  John  Gofte  of  Derryfield  in  said  Province 
Esq^,  in  behalf  of  Himself  and  the  other  Proprietors  of  the 
township  of  Dartmouth  unto  y^  Excellency  & the  Honourable 
Council  most  humbly  shews 

That  your  Petitioners  obtained  a Grant  of  the  said  Township 
from  Benning  Wentworth  Esq*'  late  Governor  of  this  Province 
in  Behalf  of  his  Majesty,  with  whom  y*  Petitioners  entred  into 
certain  Stipulations  on  their  part  to  be  done  and  performed  in 
Settlement  of  said  Township,  which  they  humbly  beg  leave  to 
assure  y*  ExcelP  & Honours  that  they  should  have  fulfilled,  but 
the  Want  of  Roads,  the  scarcity  of  Grain,  the  distance  of  its 
Situation  from  Settlements,  and  in  a more  especial  manner,  the 
Difficulty  they  have  been  at  to  ascertain  the  Locality  of  said 
Township  by  Reason  of  the  Bounds  of  Lancaster  being  very 
loose  & uncertain  through  the  Geography  of  the  River  of  Con- 
necticut not  being  at  the  time  of  their  said  Grant  particularly 
known,  as  it  has  since  by  actual  Survey  been  found,  whereby  it 
made  a material  alteration  in  y®  bounds  of  s*^  Lancaster,  and 
consequently  affected  the  Lines  of  Dartmouth,  all  which  Diffi- 
culties have  necessitated  y*  Petitioners  to  supplicate  y*  Excel- 
lency & Honours  to  extend  your  favours,  by  granting  them  a 
further  time  to  fulfill  their  Charter,  as  they  are  determined  to 
pursue  it  having  got  clear  of  chief  of  those  embarrassments  and 
been  at  great  expence  in  compleating  their  necessary  Roads 
which  are  especially  and  materially  conducive  to  their  Designs 
— Wherefore  they  humbly  pray  y*  ExcelP  & Honours  to  grant 
the  Prayer  of  this  Petition  for  the  Reasons  sett  forth,  and  as  in 
Duty  bound,  y*  Petitioners  will  ever  pray. — 


Portsm®  Dec*  1770 


John  Goffe 


[This  extension  was  not  granted,  but  the  township  was 
regranted  to  other  parties,  June  26,  1772. — Ed.] 


JEFFERSON. 


305 


[5-188]  [ Order  to  survey  a Tract  of  Land  for  David  Page^ 

ms-'] 

Province  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  Edwards  Bucknam  of  Lancaster  in  said  Province — 

You  are  hereby  required  and  directed  to  survey  and  admeas- 
ure and  plainly  and  impartially  to  mark  out  for  M""  David  Page 
(who  is  to  pay  your  Expence)  a tract  of  Crown  Land  in  said 
Province  to  contain  one  thousand  acres  & no  more,  and  make 
return  thereof  into  my  office  with  all  convenient  speed  for  which 
this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant. 

Dated  at  Portsm®  the  26*^  day  of  January  1773 

Is  : Rindge 

[Isaac  Rindge  was  surveyor-general  of  lands  for  the  prov- 
ince. The  following  is  Bucknam’s  return  : — Ed.] 

this  Plan  was  Laid  Down  in  the  form  that  David  Page  Esq*" 
Proposed  to  have  it  Laid  out  to  him  at  f South  Easterly  cor- 
ner of  Dartmouth  as  he  had  a warrant  By  order  of  Court  from 
the  Surveyor  general  for  the  survey  of  1000  acres  of  Land  where 
he  should  Please  to  Pitch  it,  in  any  ungranted  Lands,  which 
warrant  was  Directed  to  me 

Edw^  Bucknam  Surveyor  of  Land 

[The  plan  is  a rude  rectangular  parallelogram,  represent- 
ing a tract  320  by  500  rods,  bounded  on  the  north  by  Dart- 
mouth line. — Ed.] 


[5-191]  \_Petitio7i  for  an  Act  of  Incorporation^  z/pj.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire. 

To  the  honorable  Senate,  and  house  of  representatives  convened 

in  general  assembly. 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  a place  called 
Dartmouth,  in  the  Countv  of  Grafton,  and  State  of  New 
Plampshire,  humbly  sheweth,  that  said  Dartmouth  is  inhabited 
by  tv/enty  four  families,  which  labor  under  many  inconven- 
iences for  want  of  legal  authority  to  conduct  town  business,  in 
consequence  of  which,  they  suffer  much  on  account  of  high- 
ways being  neglected,  which  not  only  inj'ures  the  inhabitants, 
but  has  a tendency  to  retard  further  settlement : wherefore  your 
22 


3o6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


petitioners  pray  this  honorable  court  to  consider  their  case,  and 
incorporate  them  into  a town,  that  they  may  be  vested  with 
such  authority  as  other  towns  within  said  State  by  law  exercise 
and  enjoy.  And  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray 
Dartmouth  29*^  May  1793. 

John  Marden  John  holmes 

Samuel  Hart  Samuel  holmes 

Richard  Stalbird  Elijah  Moulton 

James  Rider 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  12,  1793,  a hearing  was  ordered  for 
the  second  Thursday  of  the  next  session.  Notice  was  to 
be  published  in  the  N.  H.  Gazette,  and  posted  in  the  town, 
which  Samuel  Marden,  on  the  eighteenth  of  December, 
1793,  certifies  was  done.  This  petition  was  not  granted, 
and  another  was  presented  by  Col.  Joseph  Whipple,  as  agent 
for  the  town,  dated  May  20,  1796,  which  was  granted. — Ed.J 


KEENE. 

This  was  one  of  the  Massachusetts  grants,  made  in  ac- 
cordance with  a vote  of  the  general  court  of  that  province 
of  July,  1733.  On  the  19th  of  October  following,  a commit- 
tee, consisting  of  Joseph  Kellog,  Timothy  Dwight,  and 
William  Chandler,  was  appointed  to  lay  out  the  townships 
on  Ashuelot  river  forthwith.  They  reported  in  February,, 
1734,  and  the  township  was  lotted  in  May  or  June  follow- 
ing. The  first  proprietors’  meeting  was  held  in  Concord, 
Mass.,  June  26,  1734;  and  in  September  following  Jeremiah 
Hall,  Daniel  Hoar,  Josiah  Fisher,  Elisha  Root,  Nathaniel 
Rockwood,  Seth  Heaton,  and  William  Puffer  visited  Upper 
Ashuelot,  as  the  place  was  called,  and  held  a proprietors’ 
meeting.  Some  settlements  were  made,  and  a fort  built 
soon  after,  but  the  town  was  abandoned  in  1746,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  atrocities  of  Canadian  Indians,  and  not  again 
occupied  until  1750. 

The  settlement  of  the  province  line  determined  the  town- 
ship to  be  within  the  limits  of  New  Hampshire  ; and  a peti- 
tion, dated  February  2,  1753,  was  addressed  to  the  govern- 
or, asking  to  have  the  grant  confirmed,  and  the  township 


KEENE. 


307 


chartered.  Their  request  was  granted,  the  town  being  in- 
corporated April  II,  1753,  and  named  by  the  governor  in 
honor  of  Sir  Benjamin  Keene,  an  English  baronet. 

The  main  street  was  originally  laid  out  but  four  rods 
wide,  and  the  city  owes  a debt  of  gratitude  to  the  proprie- 
tors, who,  at  a meeting  held  September  30,  1736,  voted  to 
widen  it,  giving  the  proprietors  of  the  lots  on  the  west  side 
four  rods  wide  on  the  rear  of  their  lots,  they  surrendering 
four  rods  in  front,  thus  making  a beautiful  street  eight  rods 
in  width,  which  is  admired  by  all  visitors. 

The  north-east  corner  of  the  town  was  set  off  September 
27,  1787,  united  with  portions  of  Gilsum,  Stoddard,  and 
Packersfield.  and  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Sullivan. 

Another  portion  was  set  off  from  the  east  side  December 
9,  1812,  united  with  portions  of  Packersfield  and  Marlbor- 
ough, and  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Roxbury. 

An  act  passed  the  legislature  in  1865,  granting  a city 
charter,  but  they  refused  to  adopt  the  same.  Another  act 
was  passed  July  3,  1873,  which  was  adopted. 

Col.  Isaac  Wyman  was  Lieut.  Col.  in  the  First  Regiment 
under  Stark  in  1775,  and  until  appointed  colonel  in  July, 
1776.  Among  other  prominent  Revolutionary  men  were 
Samuel  Wetherbee,  Davis  Hewlett,  and  William,  Timothy, 
and  Benjamin  Ellis,  all  of  whom  held  commissions,  and  did 
good  service  in  the  field. 

Keene  owes  much  of  its  beauty  to  the  good  sense  of  the 
inhabitants  in  years  past  in  keeping  intact,  in  many  instan- 
ces, the  original  lots,  thus  giving  ample  grounds  around 
their  residences,  and  avoiding  that  crowded  and  irregular 
appearance  that  mars  so  many  of  our  New  England  cities. 


[5-194^  and  195  are  ancient  plans  of  Keene  and  Swan- 
zey. — Ed.] 


[5-196]  \_Agent  appointed  to  get  the  Town  incorpo7‘ated^ 

^750.'] 

We  whose  Names  are  Hereunto  Subscribed  Inhabitants  of 
the  upper  Ashuelot  for  a Long  time  Labour  under  many  Great 
Difficulties  for  want  of  Town  Priviledges  we  Do  Therefore 
Hereby  Constitute  and  Impower  our  Trusty  friend  Cap‘  Jere- 
miah Hall  to  Represent  our  Difficulties  to  his  Excellency  the 


3o8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Governor  of  New  Hampshire  and  to  Any  Others  Concerned 
In  that  affair  that  we  may  be  Incorperated  Into  a Town  and 
Likewise  we  give  power  to  him  to  Chuse  a man  to  asist  him  In 
the  affaires 

Upper  Ashuelot  February  y®  ^750 


William  Smeed 
Ebenezer  Nims 
David  Nims 
Ephraim  Dorman 
Nathan  Fairbanks 
Joseph  Elies 


Jonathan  Under- 
wood 

John  Rogers 
Nathan  Blake 
Ebenezer  Day 
Gideon  Ellis 
Michaell  Medcalf 


Michaell  medcalf  jr 
Oliver  Medcalf 
Abijah  medcalf 
Jabez  Hill 
David  Foster 
Amos  Foster 


E5“^97]  Stiles  appohited  Agent  to  obtain  an 

Act  of  Incorporation^  //yo.] 


We  the  Subscribers  Do  hereby  Impower  Cap*  Jeremiah  Hall 
to  Pertition  In  our  behalf  for  the  Upper  Township  on  Ashuelot 
River  where  we  Dwell  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour  of 
New  Hampshire  and  all  Concern’d  in  that  affair  In  the  same 
form  that  it  was  laid  out  by  the  Massachusetts 

Upper  Ashuelot  FeU^  ^750 


William  Smeed 
Ebenezer  Nims 
David  Nims 
Ephraim  Dorman 
Nathan  Fairbanks 
Joseph  Elies 
Nathan  Blake 


Ebenezer  Day 
Gideon  Ellis 
Michael  Medcalf 
Jabez  Hill 
Jonathan  underwood 
John  Rogers 
Elijah  Dorman 


David  Foster 
Oliver  medcalf 
Michaell  medcalf  jr 
Abijah  medcalf 
Samuell  Hall 
Jesse  Hall 


[5-198]  \_John  a7id  Ruth  Dinsmoor’s  Petition^  /yyo.] 

Prov  of  Newhamshore 

To  his  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq’’  Govor“  &c  In  & 
over  his  Majestys  Province  of  New  hampshore 

The  Peti®”  of  John  Densmoor  & Ruth  Densmoor  his  Wife 
Humbly  Shews  that  Josiah  Fisher  of  upper  Ashaulott  In  the 
Province  of  Newhamshore  decesed  Late  Husband  of  the  said 
Ruth  had  In  his  Lifetime  a Grant  from  the  Massachusettets 
Goverment  of  one  Whole  Wright  or  Share  In  s*^  township  & 
that  In  his  Lifetime  Bult  an  house  & Cleard  & In  proved  Near 
forty  acres  of  Land  In  s'^  township  & In  the  Begining  of  the 


KEENE. 


309 


War  with  y®  Endins  the  Josiah  Was  Killed  & the  Ruth  y* 
Wedow  of  the  Dec®'^  was  left  with  out  any  Children  by  the  de- 
ces'^  But  she  still  Continued  att  y®  said  Ashualuett  & In  proved 
s*^  Lands  tell  y®  Endins  Drove  of  the  In  habitance  of  s*^  town  & 
Sence  the  Sasition  of  arms  the  s*^  Ruth  with  hir  Present  Hus- 
band hath  fenced  & In  Proved  the  s*^  Lands  afore  s^  wharefore 
your  Petitioners  Humbly  Pray  that  your  Exellency  Would  be 
plesed  to  Grant  to  your  Petioners  the  s*^  Lands  afore  s'^  upon  the 
Condition  that  your  Exellency  grants  to  others  y®  Kings  subjects 
In  s*^  Province  & your  Petioners  In  duty  Bound  Shall  Ever 
Pray— 

Nov"'  y®  1750  Jolm  Dunsmoor 

Ruth  Dunsmoor 


[5-199]  \^Benja7nin  Guild  appohited  to  assist  Capt.  Stiles.^ 

We  whose  Names  are  Hereunto  Subscribed  Being  Propria- 
tors  of  the  Upper  Ashuelot  Township  so  called  Do  hereby  Im- 
power  M*"  Benjamin  Guild  to  joyne  with  Cap‘  Jeremiah  Hall  in 
Petitioning  His  Exelency  the  Govoner  of  the  Province  of  New 
Hamshire  He  observing  the  Instructions  Given  by  others  of  the 
Propriators  to  the  said  Cap‘  Hall 

Wrentham  FeD  2o‘^  ^750 


John  Whiting 
Daniel  Haws 
Joseph  Fisher 
Samuel  Fisher 
Benjamin  Guild 
Obediah  Blake 
Ebenezer  Daniells 
Nathaniel  Ware 
Hannah  Dale 
Abner  Ellis 


Asa  Richardson 
Sarah  Greene 
Joseph  Richardson 
Daniell  maceene 
William  Hancock 
Samuel  Danils 
Esther  Messenger 
Jonathan  Whiting 
Jacob  Bacon 
NatlU  Fairbnks 


Abigail  Guild 
Robart  Blak 
Seth  Heaton 
Elijah  Blake 
Josiah  Fisher  for  the 
hares  of  Aaron 
Fisher 

Nathan  Bucknam 


[5-200]  S^Petition  for  an  Incorporatioji  of  the  Pow7t^  //yz.] 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq’'  Governor  and 
Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majestys  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  and  to  the  Plonorable  his  majestys  Councill 
for  said  Province 

The  Petition  of  Jeremiah  Hall  and  Benjamin  Guild  in  behalf 
of  them  Selves  and  others  Inhabitants  Setlers  and  Proprietors 
of  a certain  Tract  of  land  Called  the  upper  Township  on  Ash- 


310 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


uelot  River  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  on  the  East 
side  of  Connecticut  River  (a  plan  of  which  Tract  of  land  is 
herewith  presented)  most  humbly  Sheweth,  that  in  the  year 
1737,  in  virtue  of  a Grant  from  the  massachusets  Government, 
a plantation  was  begun  on  said  Tract  of  land — That  in  the  year 
1738  a minister  was  settled  there  and  a meeting  house  built — 
That  before  the  last  Indian  War  with  the  Indians  there  were 
Thirty  one  Dwelling  houses  built  on  said  Tract  of  land  Sundry 
barns  and  a Fort  of  near  a hundred  foot  square  having  eighteen 
fire  Rooms  within  said  fort  a Saw  mill  and  Grist  mill  built — 
that  the  setters  and  others  who  were  preparing  for  setting  there 
before  the  Indian  War  had  made  large  Improvements  there  and 
laid  out  their  Substance  in  doing  the  Same — 

That  in  the  Spring  of  y®  year  1747 — The  Indians  burnt  down 
all  the  dwelling  Houses  there  except  four — also  burnt  down 
all  the  Barns  but  one  also  burnt  down  the  meeting  house  and 
the  Fort  also  much  household  Stuff  and  killed  Considerable 
Cattle  Horses  Sheep  and  Swine  That  the  s*^  Settlers  and  Pro- 
prietors are  returnd  and  returning  on  to  the  said  Tract  of  land 
in  order  to  cultivate  and  Improve  the  same  and  in  case  a peace 
Continues  with  the  Indians  in  a few  years  there  will  be  forty 
or  fifty  familys  in  case  there  was  an  Incorporation — Wherefore 
your  Petitioners  most  humbly  Pray  your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours to  Incorporate  the  s'^  Tract  of  land  agreeable  to  the  bounds 
thereof  by  the  plan  annexed  and  grant  to  your  Petitioners  and 
others  their  Constituents  such  Immutys  and  Privileges  as  other 
Towns  Enjoy  in  this  Province  & your  Petitioners  as  in  duty 
bound  shall  ever  pray  &c 

March  y®  4**^  1 750/1  Jeremiah  Hall 

Benjamin  Guild 


[5-201]  \^A7iother  Petition  for  an  Incorporatio7i  of  the  Pown^ 

^753-li 

Upper  Ashualot  Feb"  y®  2^  i753 

We  whose  names  are  underwritten  Do  hereby  Authorize  and 
Impower  our  Trusty  Friend  Ephraim  Dorman  to  Prefer  a 
Petition  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour  of  New  Hampshire 
for  a Township  known  by  the  Name  of  the  Upper  Ashuelot 
and  to  Pray  his  Excellency  to  Grant  a Charter  of  this  Land  to 
the  Inhabitants  and  others  Concerned  in  said  Lands  and  to  In- 
sert a Clause  in  said  Petition  Praying  his  Excellency  that  if  it 
might  be  Consistent  with  his  Pleasure  he  would  Insert  a Clause 
in  his  Charter  whereby  every  man  may  be  Intitled  to  those 
Lands  which  he  Thought  himself  to  be  the  Honest  owner  of 


KEENE. 


3II 


he  Paying  the  Charges  that  have  arisen  on  said  Lands  to  Pre- 
vent Endless  Law-Suits  and  other  Difhculties  Impending  over 
us  and  to  set  forth  in  said  Petition  the  Great  Cost  and  Expence 
we  have  been  at  in  Building  two  Forts  and  Defending  the 
Kings  Lands  and  the  Great  Losses  we  have  Sustained  by  the 
Enemy  as  set  forth  in  the  Petition  Lodged  with  IVP  Atkinson 
Secretary  and  to  take  the  Names  Lodged  with  M'’  Livermore 
and  annex  to  said  Petition 


Jeremiah  Hall 
William  Barnes 
Ebenezer  Daniells 
Jabez  Hill 
Timothy  Harington 
Daniel  Twitchel 
Amos  Foster 
Titus  Belding 


Samuel  Reed 
Benjamin  Larrabee 
David  Foster 
Benjamin  Twichell 
David  Nims 
Ebenezer  Day 
William  Smeed 
Ebenezer  Nims 


Isaac  Clark 
Nathan  Blake 
Michael  medcalfju 
Joseph  Elies 
Gideon  Ellis 
Eleazer  Sanger 
Jonah  French 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  successful,  and  a charter  was 
granted  April  ii,  1753. — Ed.] 


[5-202] 

At  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Town  of  Keen  in  Dec*'  1776  made 
Choice  of  Capt  Jeremiah  Stiles  for  a Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
said  Town 


Attest  Ichabod  Fisher  Town  Clerk 


[5-203]  \_Relative  to  Innoculation  for  Small- Pox ^ 

To  the  Honorable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  The  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers 
Freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Keen  in  the  County  of  Cheshire 
Humbly  Sheweth — 

Whearas  Sundry  Persons  have  Set  up  houses  in  this  Town 
for  the  purpose  of  Inoculating  for  the  Small  pox,  by  which 
Means  the  Small  pox  has  been  Spread  and  Still  Continues  to 
Spread  in  this  and  other  Towns,  to  the  Great  Determent  of  the 
publick  Good — and  a Number  of  Usefull  members  of  Society 
have  lost  their  Lives  thereby  and  the  prosecution  of  mens  Nec- 
essary Callings  Rendered  Dangerous — and  the  Repeated  En- 
deavour of  the  Towns  to  lay  Persons  Concer’d  und  proper 
Restrictions  and  Regulations — have  been  inefectual  We  there- 


312 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


fore  your  Petitioners  humbly  Pray  that  you  would  in  Your 
wisdom  So  Interpose  by  Your  Authority  that  a Speedy  and  an 
Effectual  Stop  may  be  put  thereto  for  the  present — as  Your 
Petitioners  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  prav. 


Keen  Novem'"  22*^ 

Jer^  Stiles 
Isaac  Estey 
Ebenezer  Nims 
Reuben  Partridge 
Gideon  Ellis  June’' 
Robart  Spencer 
Jonathan  Pond 
Ebenezer  Day 
John  Day 
Jedediah  Wellman 
Stephen  Larrabe 
Nathaniel  kings- 
buery 


1776 

Benj  Archer  Jun 
Jesse  Clark 
Thomas  Field 
William  Goodenow 
Joseph  Blake 
W“  Ellis 
Aaron  Gray 
Aaron  Gray  Juff 
Jesse  Hall 
Ebenezer  Newton 
Abijah  Metcalf 
Ryal  Blake 
Henry  Elies 


Josiah  Ellis 
Timothy  Ellis  JuiP 
Elisha  Briofors 
Nathaniel  Briggs 
Benj“  Balch 
Cephas  Clark 
John  Balch 
Jonethan  Archer 
Abner  Ralston 


[5-205]  Petitio7i  for  a Lottery  for  the  Purpose  of  Buildings 

a Bridge^ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

The  Petition  of  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Keen  in  the 
County-  of  Cheshire  and  State  of  New  Hampshire  ; Humbly 
Sheweth — 

Whereas  by  Reason  of  the  Scituation  of  the  Town  of  Keen, 
Several  Rivers  and  Large  Streams  of  Water  Centre  in  Said 
Town  which  Causes  a Large  Number  of  Bridges  and  Caus- 
ways  to  be  Necesary  in  Said  Town  ; and  by  the  Rapidity  of 
some  of  said  Rivers  Especially  in  Time  of  high  water  it  very 
often  happens  that  Bridges  are  Carried  off  which  has  been  of 
Great  Cost  and  Charges  to  the  Inhabitance  and  Likely  so  to 
Remain  Especially  Upon  a Certain  Rapid  Stream  Called  the 
East  Branch  of  Ashuelot  River  where  of  Late  a Large  Bridge 
is  almost  Ruin’d  and  the  Banks  of  Said  Stream  being  of  Loose 
Gravel  it  often  happens  they  are  torn  and  the  Course  of  the 
Stream  much  Altered  and  makes  it  almost  Impossible  to  make 
a Bridge  to  Stand  any  Considerable  Time  which  Causes  great 
Difficulty  and  Danger  to  Travelers  Espeially  in  high  water — 
However  there  is  a Certain  place  upon  said  Stream  at  some 
Distance  from  place  now  used — where  a Bridge  might  be  made 


KEENE. 


313 


that  would  much  Beter  Accomodate  Travelers  to  Boston  Ports- 
mouth or  any  other  Port  then  the  place  now  Used  but  the  Town 
by  Reason  of  so  many  Other  Bridges  are  not  Able  to  Build 
one  at  said  place  as  the  Cost  would  be  considerable  ; we  there- 
fore your  Humble  Petitioners  pray  in  the  Name  and  behalf  of 
the  Town  that  your  Honours  in  your  Wisdom  would  Order 
and  Appoint  Some  way  that  we  may  have  Some  Assistance 
Either  by  Granting  a Publick  Lottery  or  any  other  way  which 
your  Honours  Shall  think  proper  it  being  a Road  mucb  Used 
from  Different  parts  of  the  Contry  with  which  if  your  Honours 
Do  Comply  your  Humble  Petetioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall 
ever  pray 


Keen  May  14^^  177S 


Jeremiah  Stiles^ 

Silas  Cook  V Select  men 
Simeon  Clark  ) 


N B : It  is  Suposed  that  the  Sum  of  6500  Dollars  would  be 
a Suficient  Sum  to  make  a Good  Bridge  and  Causway  at  Said 
place 


[5-204]  \_Relative  to  a Lottery  for  the  Purpose  of  Buildhig 

a Bridge^ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representitives  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  the  Petition  of  the  Subscribers 
being  Select  men  of  the  Towns  of  in  said  state 

in  Behalf  of  said  Towns  Humbly  Shew^eth — 

Whereas  your  Petitioners  are  Informed  That  the  Town  of 
Keen  have  Petitioned  praying  Your  Honours  to  Grant  them  As- 
sistance by  a Lottery  to  Enable  them  to  Build  a Bridge  over  a 
Certain  Rapid  Stream  Known  by  the  Name  of  the  East  Branch 
We  therefore  your  Petitioners  being  Senseable  of  the  Great 
Benefit  that  would  Accrue  to  the  Publick  thereby,  and  at  the 
Time  Knowing  the  multitude  of  Bridges  and  Casways  which 
the  Inhabitance  of  said  Town  Are  Obliged  to  Build  and  Keep 
in  Repair  and  the  Charges  of  the  Same  by  Reason  of  Freshets 
which  often  happens  and  also  the  Great  Probability  of  a Bridge 
standing  Safe  in  the  place  wdiich  is  proposed,  together  with  the 
Good  Accomodation  of  the  place  to  Every  Publick  Road — We 
therefore  humbly  Pray  that  the  Petition  of  said  Town  of  Keen 
may  be  Granted  Being  of  Opinion  that  it  will  be  a Great  Pub- 
lick Benefit  it  being  a Place  which  maybe  passed  in  high  water 
with  much  more  Safety  than  the  old  Road  that  Lead  thro’  In- 
tervails  and  Low  Grounds — which  Petition  if  your  Honours  in 


314 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


your  wisdom  think  proper  to  Grant,  we  Your  Petitioners  as  in 
Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray. 


July  1778 


Joseph  Greenwood  \ Selectmen 
Reuben  Morse  > of 

Eli  Morse  j Dublin 


Roger  Gilmore 
Abr"'  Bailey 
John  Stanley 

Enoch  Hale 
Edw^^  Jewett 
Francis  Towne 


Selectmen 

of 

Jaffrey 


Selectmen 

of 

Rindge 


[I  fail  to  find  any  action  of  the  legislature  on  this  matter. 
—Ed.] 


[5-206]  \_Relative  to  Trial  of  several  Royalists^  ^777 

Walpole  Sep*  9**^  1778 

The  State  of  New  Hampshire  To  Nath**  S.  Prentice  D^ 
agreeable  to  their  order  of  the  23**^  Aug*  Last  past  Directing  me 
to  pay  Cap*  Benj'^  Floods  pay  Roll  To  Cash  paid  Cap*  Benj® 
Flood  toward  S**  Roll,  T29,  10,  o as  pr.  Receipt 

To  Cash  paid  by  CoP  Benj^  Bellows  out  of  the  money  Lent 
toward  Carring  on  gun  making  in  his  hands  as  p*"  receipt 

47,  2,  6 

Total  of  the  Roll  T76,  13,  6 

Return  of  the  names  of  the  Persons  found  guilty  of  missde- 
menors  against  the  States  by  a Special  Session  held  at  Keen 
June  1777  as  p"  minutes  on  file  with  the  sum  fiiP  & order 
thereon 


Col  Josiah  Willard 

20i‘ 

John  Gould 

405 

Maj*"  Josiah  Willard 

30.? 

Alexander  Rolstone 

405 

Eleazer  Pomroy 

20s 

Paul  Richardson 

^os 

Eben''  Harvey 

40.? 

Nathan  Rugg 

40J 

Rev**  Micah  Lawrence 

20s 

Rev**  Clement  Sumner 

405- 

Benj**'  Mellvin 

40J 

Cap*  Henry  Coffin 

20i- 

Benj*^  Mellvin  Jr 

/^OS 

Sam**  King 

405- 

Nathan  Willard 

10s 

John  White 

405- 

Joseph  Collins 

20s 

Simon  Willard 

105 

Sam**  Wadsworth 

405 

Total  £29-] 

KEENE. 


315 


Ordered  that  the  several  Persons  for  Misdemenor,  Re- 
cognize in  the  sum  of  £500  as  Principal  with  Two  Surties  to  be 
of  a Peacable  Behaviour  tow^ards  the  State  & to  be  Confin*^ 
within  certain  Limits  untill  this  Court  or  Sum  other  Authority 
shall  Discharge  them  therefrom — 

order'^  that  Cap^  Benj“  Flood  Receive  <£12 — out  of  the  fine- 
money  to  Billit  his  guard  with  he  to  acct  therefor — 

order‘d  that  the  Remainder  of  the  fines  be  Reposited  in  the 
hands  of  Nath^  S.  Prentice  Esq  to  wait  the  County  Sessions  or- 
der thereon 

a Coppy  from  the  minutes  on  file 

Nath'  S.  Prentice  Clerk  of  s*'  Sessions 

[Some  of  the  evidence  used  at  said  trial  may  be  found  in 
Vol.  VIII,,  page  593.  Ebenezer  Harvey,  Pomeroy,  and 
King  were  ordered  to  confine  themselves  to  the  limits  of 
their  farms  in  Chesterfield,  but  were  released  from  said 
bonds  and  limits  April  7,  1778,  by  recommendation  of  the 
committee  of  safety  of  said  town. — Ed.] 


[5-207]  \_ye7‘emiah  Stiles  chosen  ]\Iagistrate^  ^777*] 

At  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabitance  of  the  Town  of  Keen 
on  January  the  14"^  ^777 — Voted  that  Cap' Jeremiah  Stiles  of 
this  town  be  in  Nomination  for  a Justice  of  the  Peace  for  this 
County 

. Attest  Ichabod  Fisher  Town  Clerk 

To  the  Honorable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire — Humbly  Shews, 

We  the  subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Keene  in  the 
County  of  Cheshire,  beg  leave  to  inform  your  honours,  that 
Cap'  Jeremiah  Stiles,  at  a legal  meeting  of  this  Town,  as  may 
appear  by  the  copy  of  the  vote  hereto  annexed,  was  unani- 
mously nominated  for  a Justice  of  the  Peace  : And,  for  reasons, 
not  known  to  us,  is  not  appointed.  * * 

Keene,  October  12,  1779 

Abraham  Wheeler  James  Wright  Zadok  Wheeler 

Benjamin  Osgood  David  Willson  Daniel  Willson 

Abraham  Wheeler  iu  Ephraim  Wright  John  Houghton 
Ebenezer  Cook  Benjam  Osgood  Ju  Davis  Howlett 

Isaac  Griswold  Alpheus  Nims 


[They  requested  his  appointment,  and  it  was  granted. — 
Ed.] 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


316 

[R.  2-132]  \^Deserters from  the  Army^  ^777*] 

Deserted  from  Cap*  John  Griggs’s  Company  in  Cod  Scam- 
mills  Rig*  Epraim  Hall  24  years  of  age  Six  feet  high  Dark  hair 
Blew  Eyes  Light  Colered  Cloths  formerly  belonged  to  Lyn  : 
Whosoever  will  take  up  S*^  Deserter  and  Return  him  to  his 
Company  att  Keen  or  N®  4 : in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
shall  have  a harnsom  Reward  and  all  Nesesary  Charges  Paid 
by  me 

John  Griggs  Cap* 

Keen  May  y®  5**^  ^777 

[He  also  advertises  for  one  Nathan  Gale,  “ 21  yers  of  age 
6 feet  Hi  Well  Set  Dark  hair.” — Ed.] 


[R.  2-133]  S^Documents  relative  to  Capt,  Samuel  Weather- 

bee^  V7«?‘] 

I Davise  Hewlett  of  Keen  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  and 
Province  of  Newhampshire,  testifieth  and  saith  that  Eighty  five 
men  appeared  on  mount  Independence  that  belonged  to  Cap* 
Sam'*  Weatherbees  Company  in  the  year  1776  and  that  two 
other  men  enlisted  by  s'*  Capt  Weatherbee,  Namely  Roswell 
Shephard  who  Died  of  the  Small  Pox  as  I was  informed  and 
Tho®  Wilder  who  to  my  knowledge  Did  Die  of  the  Small  Pox 
before  march'* 

Keen  feD^  10-177S 

Davis  Hewlett  Lieu* 

[Sworn  to  before  Isaac  Wyman. — Ed.] 

[ Col.  Wyman’s  Certifcate,^ 

This  may  Certifie  whome  it  may  Concern  that  Cap*  Sam** 
Weatherbe  First  & Largest  Return  of  his  Company  was  84 
men  Test 

Isaac  Wyman 


[R.  2-134]  S^Deposition  of  Ebenezer  Putnam.^ 

Charlestown  JaiP  23**^  i77^ 

Deposition  of  Eben*’  Putnam  Being  of  Lawful  age  Doth  tes- 
tify and  say  that  some  time  in  July  177^  Cap*  Weatherbee  ask^ 


k 


KEENE. 


317 


me  what  I would  give  him  to  Discharge  me  : I told  him  Noth- 
ing where  iippon  he  told  me  that  he  would  Discharge  me  for 
Twenty  Dollars  or  five  weeks  work  I told  him  I would  give  it 
then  he  turned  about  and  went  and  got  a man  to  go  in  my 
Rhoom  and  I set  of  to  go  home  but  Before  I got  home  I got 
sick  of  My  Bargain  and  went  and  told  him  I would  go  My  Self 
and  pay  him  for  his  trouble  for  gitting  the  man  he  told  me  if  I 
would  go  and  tell  the  man  that  I would  go  into  the  Service  that 
should  pav  the  s'^  Cap‘  for  his  trouble  after  I was  Inlisted  I ast 
the  Cap*  if  he  w'as  willing  that  I should  take  the  Small  Pox  he 
said  No  by  No  means  for  perhaps  we  may  be  calP  for  before 
you  will  be  Ready  to  march  then  I was  advis‘d  by  Cap*  Geer 
and  M''  Olcott  to  ask  CoP  Hunt  advise  about  the  matter  wdiere 
upon  he  said  he  would  advise  any  man  that  was  a going  to 
Enocolate  as  he  thought  it  was  not  safe  to  go  without 

Ebenezer  Putnam 

Sworn  before  Benj^  Bellows. 


[R.  2-135]  \^yoJm  Hart's  Discharge^  77/(5.] 

Charlestown  august  6*'^  — 

These  may  Certify  That  in  Consideration  of  Ten  dollars  To 
me  In  hand  paid  by  John  Hart  I do  hereby  discharge  him  from 
my  Company  in  The  Continential  Service  in  CoP  Wymans 
Regiment  of  the  New  hampshire  forces  as  witness  my  Hand 

Sam**  Wetherb’e  Cap* 


[R.  2-137] 

[This  document  is  the  resignation  of  Major  Timothy 
Ellis,  dated  Keene,  October  19,  1779. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-138]  S^Snbstitute  for  Nehejniah  Towti^  ij8oJ\ 

These  may  certifie  That  I Josiah  Reed  of  Chickaby  in 
Springfield  in  Consideration  of  Certain  agreements  Between 
Nehemiah  Town  of  Keen  in  the  State  of  Newhampshire  and 
myself  have  Engaged  and  do  hereby  Engage  to  serve  in  his 
Room  & Stead  in  the  Newhampshire  Lines  for  the  Towni  of 
Keen  for  the  space  of  six  months  as  witness  my  hand  at  Spring- 
field  July  y®  20**^  1780 


Josiah  Read 


3i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-140]  \_Nehet7iiah  Brown^  wounded  Soldier.^ 

To  home  it  may  Conserne 

This  May  Certifye  that  Nehemiah  Brown  a Soldier  in  the 
Melisha  in  the  Battel  at  Loomes  Cock  in  the  year  1777  was 
Shot  throw'  his  Leg  was  under  my  Caire  & was  not  fitt  for  anny 
busness  for  for  or  five  month 

Tho®  Frink  Surgeon  to  s*^  Brown 
Keene  y®  14*’^  of  Octob’’  1785 


[R.  2-141]  S^Petition  of  Charles  Rice^  Bunker  Hill  Soldier^ 

7/p/.] 

To  the  honb’le  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  convened  at  Concord. — 

Humbly  Shew's,  Charles  Rice  of  Keene,  that  in  the  year 
1775  being  a Soldier  in  Captain  Jeremiah  Stiles’s  Company  & 
Cob  John  Stark’s  Regiment  he  received  a most  distressing 
wound  through  the  breast  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill — which  has  ever  since  rendered  it  impossible  for  him  to 
gain  a comfortable  subsistance  for  himself — much  more  for  a 
numerous  family  which  daily  look  to  him  for  that  assistance 
which  he  would  most  readily  afford  were  it  in  his  powder. — 
That  your  petitioner  has  never  received  the  least  assistance  from 
his  Country  being  entirely  ignorant  of  any  feasible  method  of 
making  application — He  therefore  prays  your  Honorable  body 
to  compassionate  his  case  and  lend  him  such  assistance  as  in 
your  clemency  you  shall  judge  proper — And  as  in  duty  bound, 
ever  prays 

Jeremiah  Stiles  in  behalf  of  the  petitioner 

[He  petitioned  again  May  19,  1795,  complaining  that  he 
had  not  been  allowed  for  “ arrears  of  pension,”  and  desired 
to  have  the  legislature  intercede  in  his  behalf. — Ed.] 


[5-208]  [ Warrant  fro?n  Ver?no7it  for  the  Election  of  Pwo 

Represe7itatives^  I'/Si 

State  of  Vermont 

In  generall  Asembly  Windsor  Aprell  7^^  1781 

to  either  of  the  constabels  of  the  towm  of  keen  in  the  County 
of  Cheshire  greeting — Where  as  by  a late  union  of  the  whole  of 
the  New  Hampshir  grants  with  the  state  of  Vermont  a solid  and 


KEENE. 


319 


permanant  basis  is  laid  for  one  free  Severing  and  independant 
State  the  union  of  indivudills  the  right  of  the  peopell  and  the 
exigencys  of  afairs  the  arangement  of  oficers  the  estableshment 
of  govermant  and  the  vigirous  aforts  of  this  state  to  be  made 
against  the  comon  enemy  requires  an  imeadiate  full  and  fair  rep- 
resentation of  the  peopell  at  this  Asembly  these  are  therefore 
to  direct  you  upon  sight  hereof  to  warn  all  the  freeholders  and 
other  inhabitants  in  s'^  town  of  keen  that  have  a right  by  law  to 
vote  to  asembell  at  the  usuall  place  for  holding  town  meetings 
in  s*^  town  as  soon  as  may  bee  and  that  you  then  and  their  call 
upon  them  to  bring  in  their  votes  succesivelly  for  two  represen- 
tatives of  Said  town  to  take  their  seats  forthwith  in  this  hous  as 
law  directs  that  you  make  declaration  of  the  persons  chosen  and 
return  the  same  to  this  Asembly 

excrats  from  the  Journalls 
by  order  of  asembly 

Noah  hopkins  Clark 

[Keene  voted  against  the  union  with  Vermont,  and  did 
not  send  any  representative. — Ed.] 


[5-209]  \^yohn  Baldly  Post-Rider^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 
In  Com‘®®  of  Safety  Exeter  July  27*^  1781 

Pursuant  to  a Vote  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  27**^  of 
June  17S1,  Authorizing  the  Committee  of  Safety  to  establish  a 
Post  to  ride  from  Portsmouth  to  the  western  part  of  this  State 
and  agreeable  to  the  Proposal  of  M*"  John  Balch  of  Keene,  He 
the  said  John  Balch  is  hereby  appointed  a Post  to  ride  for  the 
term  of  three  months,  to  set  out  from  Portsmouth  on  Saturday 
morning  & to  ride  to  Haverhill  by  the  way  of  Concord  & Ply- 
mouth, and  thence  down  the  River  to  Charlestown,  Keene  and 
to  Portsmouth  again,  which  Tour  is  to  be  punctually  performed 
once  in  each  & every  fourteen  days  during  said  term,  unless 
this  Committee  shall  think  it  most  convenient  for  the  public 
Good,  that  the  said  Balch  should  sometimes  alter  his  rout. 

The  said  Balch  is  to  Convey  all  public  Acts,  Letters  & Dis- 
patches free  of  Charge — For  which  Service  he  shall  receive 
from  this  State  seventy  hard  Dollars  or  paper  money  equiva- 
lent.— 

M Weare  Pres* 

I,  John  Balch  do  hereby  agree  to  the  foregoing  proposals  and 
engage  punctually  to  perform  the  duty  of  Post-rider  agreeably 
thereto — John  Balch  " 


320 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-210]  [^Timothy  Baldly  Post-Rider^ 

To  the  Honble  General  assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp' 
Now  Convein’d  at  Portsmouth — in  Said  State — 

Humbly  shews, 

Timothy  Balch  of  Keen  in  this  State 

That  he  has  been  a public  Carrier  for  near  two  years  from 
Portsmouth  to  Charlestown  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  which 
Rout  he  has  perform’d  once  a Fortnight — except  in  exceeding 
bad  Traveling  and  the  pay  he  has  had  for  carrying  News  pa- 
pers and  private  letters  has  been  very  inadiquate  to  his  Labour 
Expence  &c 

That  when  your  Petitioner  engaged  in  this  Service  he  had 
encouragement  from  the  Comrnittie  of  Safty  and  the  Treasurer 
of  this  State  for  a proper  compensation  for  the  Business  Your 
Petetioner  from  time  to  time  Should  do  for  the  public  and  as 
almost  two  years  is  expired  Since  he  engaged  in  this  Service 
wou’d  be  glad  Some  Allowance  might  be  made  him  therfor — 

Your  Petitioner  therefore  most  Humbly  prays  that  your  Hon- 
ors wou’d  take  the  Matter  under  Consideration  and  grant  Such 
Relief  as  the  Case  and  Service  Requires — and  he  as  in  duty 
bound  Shall  Ever  pray  &c — 

Tim®  Balch 

June  10.  1785 


[5-211]  \_Relative  to  Taxes  on  Estates  of  Absentees^  //c^j.] 

This  may  Certify  that  the  Land  of  Elijah  William  Esq*"  late 
of  Keene  Absentee 

was  in  the  year  1781  taxed  hard  money  u 11-2 

& New  Emishon  £1:7:  ^^“5 

& the  Land  of  Doct  Josiah  Pomeroy  an  Absentee 
was  taxed  the  same  year  the  sum  in  hard 
money — £ o:  js:  i 

New  Emishon  £10:  9:1:1 

Keen  August  26  1783 

David  Nims  Jr  Selectmen 
Jonathan  Bale}'’  > of 
Nathan  Blake  jur  ) Keene 

In  behalf  of  the  Select  men  R^  an  order  on  the  Treasury  for 
the  above  sum 


Benjamin  Hall 


KEENE. 


321 


1^5-212]  \_Resignation  of  Timothy  Ellis^  iy82.~\ 

Keene  Sepf  14-1782 

Sirs 

I retain  a due  Sense  of  Gratitude  for  the  many  favors  and 
Honors  bestowed  upon  me  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  ; and  in  particular  for  their  appoint- 
ing me  Colonel  of  the  Regiment,  which  I now  Command.  I 
am  still  tenacious  of  the  Rights  and  Liberties  of  Mankind,  and 
attached  to  the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  The  Appointment 
was  very  unexpected,  and  (as  I thought  I had  neither  Leisure, 
nor  Ability  to  perform  with  Honor  the  Duties  which  that  Sta- 
tion required)  very  undesireable  to  me.  However,  I accepted 
the  same,  hopeing  that  I should  soon  be  succeeded  by  some 
person  more  suitably  qualified.  But  as  I find  myself  disap- 
pointed in  that  Respect,  I must  beg  Leave  to  decline  acting  any 
longer  in  that  Capacity,  and  Send  this  my  Resignation  ; trust- 
ing that  the  Hon*^*®  Assembly  will  Soon  appoint  Some  person 
to  take  the  Command  of  this  Regiment,  who  will  conduct  with 
Wisdom,  understanding,  Fidelity  and  Honor.  I am.  Sir, 
your  most  obedient  humble  Servant 

Timothy  Ellis 

To  the  Hon’^^®  Meshach  Weare  Esq^ ; to  be  communicated  to  the 

General  Assembly. — 


[5-213]  [_Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

Cheshire  ss  To  The  Hon.  Ebenezer  Tompson  Esq*"  Secetary 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Hon^  Sir 

Pursuant  to  an  Order  from  the  General  Assembly  we  the 
Subscribers  have  taken  the  Number  of  all  the  Rateable  polls 
within  the  Town  of  Keene  from  the  Age  of  Twenty  one  years 
and  Upwards  and  find  them  to  be  Tw’o  Hundred  and  Twenty 
Eight 

Josiah  Richardson")  Select 
Timothy  Ellis  ^ men  of 

David  Nims  Jr  ^ Keene 

Cheshire  ss  Keene  Decern*'  13^'*  1783 

The  Above  Named  Josiah  Richardson  Col  Timothy  Ellis  and 
David  Nims  Jun*  personally  Appeared  and  made  Solomn  Oath 
that  the  Above  is  the  True  Number  of  all  the  Rateable  polls 
within  the  Town  of  Keene  from  Twenty  one  years  old  and  Up- 
ward according  to  the  best  of  their  Knowledge  Before  me 

Tho®  Baker  Just  Pac® 


23 


322 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[5-214]  [^Relative  to  the  County  yail^  1^83. 

To  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Assembled  this 
twenty  Eighth  day  of  Oct*'  AD  1783 

Dan  Guild  Gaoler,  and  others  (Subscribers  belonging  to 
Keene  in  the  County  of  Cheshire)  humbly  shew  that  they  con- 
ceive it  would  be  very  beneficial  not  only  to  the  Publick  but  to 
the  Town  of  Keene  in  general,  and  the  Poor  Prisoners  in  Gaol 
here  in  particular,  that  y®  Limits  of  the  Yard  of  the  Prison  here 
might  be  extended  beyond  what  it  now  is  by  law,  sixty  feet,  so 
as  to  take  in  a Barn  and  Shop  that  would  be  very  convenient 
for  them  to  labour  in  and  thereby  to  Earn  something  for  their 
Support  during  their  being  obliged  to  remain  in  said  Gaol  un- 
till they  can  sware  out ; As  there  is  a considerable  number  of 
Prisoners  in  that  Predicament — Wherefore  Your  Petitioners 
pray  that  an  Act  may  be  passed  to  extend  the  Yard  of  said 
Prison  as  aforesaid  which  will  be  a great  relief  to  the  Prisoners 
in  Gaol,  and  to  the  Gaoler,  and  as  we  humbly  conceive  no  dam- 
age to  the  Publick.  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 
Dan  Guild  Gaoler  Abner  Sanger 

Tho®  Baker  Nathan  Blake  jur 

N : Cooke  Thomas  Field 

Benja  Hall  Israel  Houghton 

Jer  Stiles 


[5-215]  \_Taxes  on  Land  of  Absentees^ 

Extract  from  a tax  or  assesment  in  Keene  being  the  State  tax 
on  the  town  of  Keene  for  the  year  1782 — 

s d 

Elijah  Williams’  land  £.  i..  8..  9 

Josiah  Pomeroy’s  land  10..  14.. 

Extract  from  a tax  for  raising  continental  men  in  the  year 
1782 — 

s d 

Elijah  Williams’  land  £ i..  10..  10 

Josiah  Pomeroy’s  land  ii..  10..  9 

The  above  are  true  extracts  from  the  Original  assesments 

Attest  I assessors 

Ichabod  Fisher  > for  the 
Reuben  Partridge  j year  1782 

Feb.  y®  4**'  1785 — 

R*^  an  order  on  the  Treas’’^  in  behalf  of  the  Selectmen  for  the 
Above  Benjamin  Hall 


KEENE. 


323 


[5-216]  \^CertiJicate  of  Nails  made^  i'/8gd\ 

The  State  of  New  Hampshire  Cheshire  ss 
To  whom  it  may  concern — 

We  the  Subscribers  the  major  part  of  the  Select  Men  of  the 
Town  of  Keene  in  said  County  of  Cheshire  do  hereby  certify 
that  Ezra  Hervey  of  Keene  afores'^  Nailer  has  bona  fide  made 
or  caused  to  be  made  at  his  Workshop  in  Keene  aforesaid  be- 
tween the  months  of  October  AD  1787  and  December  AD  178S 
— two  hundred  thousand  of  four  penny  wrought  nails — In  Wit- 
ness whereof  We  do  hereto  set  our  hands  & seals  this  25^^  Day 
of  December  AD  1789 — 

Dan^  Kingsbury 
Jeremiah  Stiles 
Ebenezer  Robbins 
P Sprague 

Cheshire  ss  Dec*"  23^^  ^7^9 — ^ subscriber  being  the  near- 

est Justice  of  the  peace  to  the  above  named  Ezra  Hervey,  do 
certify  that  the  said  Hervey  has  bona  fide  made  or  caused  to  be 
made  in  his  Work  Shop  in  Keene  afores^  the  above  number  of 
nails  within  the  Time  aboves*^ 

Tho®  Baker  Just  pac® 

Jany  12,  1790 

Received  an  Order  on  the  Treasurer  for  six  pounds  as  a 
bounty  on  nailmaking  in  behalf  of  Ezra  Harvey 

Isaac  Griswold 

[Similar  certificates  were  presented  in  favor  of  the  fol- 
lowing, for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  bounty  offered  by 
the  state  : 

Elijah  Baker,  400,000  ten-penny  wrought  nails  in  1790. 

Ezra  Harvey,  200,000  four-penny  wrought  nails  in  1790. 

“ 400,000  “ “ 1791* 

Elijah  Baker,  100,000  ten-penny  wrought  nails  in  1791. 

“ 300,000  “ “ 1792. 

Ezra  Harvey,  400,000  four-penny  wrought  nails  in  1792. 
—Ed.] 


[5-231] 

State  of  New-Hampshire  Cheshire  ss. 

At  a legal  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  others  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Keene  held  Aus‘  25*^  ^794 — HoiP^®  Dan'  New- 


324 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


comb  Esq*^  was  chosen  to  Represent  said  Town  in  General 
Court  the  present  Year  instead  of  Jeremiah  Stiles  Esq*"  resigned. 

Keene  Aus*  25*^  ^794 

Attest  Lock.  Willard  T.  Clerk 

E Dunbar  ) Selectmen 
A Wilder  ) of  Keene 


KENSINGTON. 

The  township  was  set  off  from  Hampton  Falls,  April  i, 
1737,  and  “erected  into  a distinct  parish”  by  its  present 
name,  which  is  probably  derived  from  some  English  town. 
John  Weare,  Joseph  Wadley,  and  Ezekiel  Dow  were  author- 
ized to  call  the  first  meeting. 

A mistake  was  made  in  describing  the  bounds  in  the  act 
above  referred  to,  which  was  rectified  by  an  act  passed  the 
26th  of  the  following  August.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Fogg  was 
settled  as  parish  minister  in  November,  1737,  and  remained 
until  he  died,  December  i,  1789. 

Kensington  was  a populous  town  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Revolution.  The  following  are  the  names  of  their  men 
in  the  First  N.  H.  Regiment : 

Joseph  B.  Hoit,  entered  March  21,  1781  ; discharged  De- 
cember, 1781. 

Orson  Lock,  entered  April  14,  1777  ; discharged  Septem- 
ber 19,  1777. 

The  latter  was  killed. 


[R.  2-143] 

[William  Evens,  of  Kensington,  states  that  he  was  a sol- 
dier in  Capt.  Folsom’s  company  in  the  summer  of  I759»  and 
lost  his  gun,  for  which  he  asks  to  be  paid.  The  petition 
was  dismissed. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-144] 

[Samuel  Elliot,  of  Kensington,  says  he  was  in  the  service 
in  1760,  went  as  far  as  Wentworth’s  ferry,  and  came  home 
from  there  by  permission  of  his  officer,  notwithstanding 


KENSINGTON. 


325 


which  he  was  returned  as  a deserter  by  Capt.  Marston.  He 
wants  to  be  righted.  The  petition  was  dismissed  March 
13,  1761.— Ed.] 


[R.  2-145,  1461  147] 

[In  a petition  dated  June  9th,  1763,  Benjamin  Page,  of 
Kensington,  stated  that  he  had  two  sons,  minors,  in  the  ar- 
my in  1759,  in  Capt.  Samuel  Folsom’s  company,  one  of 
whom  died,  and  the  other  was  wounded.  He  asks  for  their 
wages,  and  presents  the  following  certificate : — Ed.] 

I 

Kensington  June  y®  9^^  ^7^3 
To  the  Honourable  House  of  Representatives — 

This  is  to  Signify  to  your  Honours  my  Judgment  and  opin- 
ion of  Samuel  Page  Son  of  Benjamin  Page  of  this  Parish  he 
was  in  the  army  in  the  year  i759  and  Came  home  sick  w’ith  the 
purging  Called  the  Camp  Disorder  and  wasted  and  Died  with 
the  same  in  about  six  weeks  after  he  came  home  I visited  him 
as  a physician  in  the  time  of  his  Languishment  and  according 
to  the  Best  of  my  Judgment  he  died  with  the  Camp  Disorder 
and  likewise  would  Signify  to  you  that  Jeremiah  Page  Son  of 
Benjamin  Page  Being  at  oswego  the  same  year  that  his  Brother 
was  and  that  he  was  wounded  in  actual  Service  By  Reason  of 
which  he  hath  lost  the  Spring  of  his  great  Toe  which  is  greatly 
to  his  Damage — 

Benjamin  Rowe 

[He  was  allowed  ;^4-i 7-6  sterling. — Ed.] 


[5-233]  \^Petitioii  for  a Grant  of  Pand.^ 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq^  Governour  & 
Commander  in  Chief  in  & over  His  Maj®^  Province  of  New 
Hampsh®’’  in  New  England  and  to  the  Hon'^‘  His  Maj^^  Coun- 
cil— 

Humbly  Shew  your  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Kensington  in  s*^  Prov® — 

That  your  Petitioners  do  themselves  (many  of  them)  Stand  in 
need  of  Tracts  of  Land  for  to  settle  on  & Improve,  and  your  other 
Petitioners  have  Either  Sons  or  such  as  they  are  Concerned  to 
provide  for,  who  Stand  in  need  of  the  Same. — That  most  of 
your  Petitioners  have  not  had  any  Share  & the  other  but  a 


326 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


small  Share  in  any  Grants  of  Townships  which  have  been  Al- 
ready Made. — And  your  Petitioners  Hope  (as  they  are  Part  of 
an  Ancient  Town  which  has  paid  a Large  Share  of  Taxes  in 
the  Support  & Defence  of  the  Government ; & do  (themselves) 
still  pay  more  Taxes  then  Some  other  Parishes  that  Have  y® 
Privilege  of  a Representative)  That  they  Shall  be  Remembered 
with  the  other  Parts  of  the  Town  (which  are  now  Petitioning 
your  Excellency)  in  such  Grants  of  out-Lands  as  may  now  be 
made — 

We  therefore  Pray  Your  Excellency  that  we  may  have  a 
Grant  of  such  a Quantity  of  Land  as  may  accomodate  the 
Number  of  your  Petitioners,  according  to  what  is  usually 
allowed  in  Grants  of  Townships.  We  also  Request  that  the 
Grant  may  be  adjoyning  to  those  that  may  be  made  to  the  other 
Parts  of  the  Town  or  that  we  may  be  otherwise  provided  for 
as  your  Excellency  & Honours  shall  Judge  Best — And  your 
Petitioners  Shall  Ever  Pray — 


Henery  Lampre 
Israel  James 
Joseph  Chase  hil- 
yard  _ 

Benjamin  Page 
Daniel  Blake 
M*"  Fogg 
Ezekiel  Dow 
James  Pirkens 
moses  Blake  Jur 
Samuel  Page 
John  graves 
Philbrick  Palmer 
Josiah  Dow 
John  Page  Juner 
Theophilus  Page 
Obadiah  Johnson 


The  Record 

Jonathan  Dow 
Jonathan  Brown 
moses  Shaw 
Jonathan  Palmer 
Moses  Grifen 
Nehemiah  Brown 
Joseph  Pike 
Caleb  Shaw 
Benjamin  Prescutt 
Joseph  Weare 
John  Batchelder 
Benjamin  James 
Abraham  Moulton 
Benjamin  Brown 
Juner 

John  Weare 
Simon  Batchelder 


Nathan  Clough 
William  Evens  Jun^ 
Jeremiah  Green 
Jeremiah  Batchelder 
Jeremiah  Sanborn 
Joshua  Gilman 
John  Dow 
Elijah  Connor 
Benjamin  Brown 
Josiah  Blake 
Samuel  Clifford  Jur 
Isaac  fellows 
Phebe  Purenton 
Abel  Word 
Philip  Dow 
Stephen  Brown 


[5-234]  \^Ebenezer  Brown'' s Complaint ^ 

M*"  pickerin  this  is  to  inform  you  that  the  in  habitance  of 
Dear  field  has  past  and  re  past  through  My  land  with  out  leav 
or  lisance  wich  is  a grate  Damage  to  me  you  must  thnk  by 
Sides  a great  Charge  that  I have  bin  att  I am  obloyegd  to  Make 
three  Mils  and  a Quarter  of  fence  be  Sides  loosing  my  land  and 
2 hundred  pounds  expends  and  I think  No  Man  of  reson  Can 


KENSINGTON. 


327 


Say  that  is  not  a damao^e  they  have  returnd  Me  Som  land  for 
my  satisfaction  but  I will  not  take  it  for  it  is  within  My  bounds 
be  fore  but  I will  not  take  land  for  it  if  thare  ever  So  much 

kinsington  May  the  20  1778 

Ebenezer  Brown 


£5-335]  \_Petitio7i  for  a Paper  Currency^  iy8yJ\ 

To  the  Hon^'®  the  Gen^  Court  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire  to 
be  held  at  Concord  by  Adjournment  on  the  third  Wednesday 
of  Ocf  current — 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  parish  of  Kensington, 
in  the  County  of  Rockingham  & State  of  Newhamps*’  Humbly 
sheweth, — That  by  reason  of  the  extream  scarcity  of  a Circu- 
lating medium,  that  business  of  almost  all  kinds  have  ceas’d, 
or  must  shortly  cease,  to  the  Distress  of  your  petitioners,  & the 
Community  at  large — 

Therefore  your  petitioners  Humbly  beg  that  vour  honours 
would  Emit  a quantity  of  paper  money  sufficient  to  Discharge 
the  State  Debt,  or  Devise  some  way  or  means  whereby  the  out- 
standing Taxes  may  immediately  be  paid  into  the  Treasury, 
that  the  Treasurer  may  thereby  be  enabled  to  discharge  s*^  Debt ; 
or  otherwise  relieve  your  petitioners  as  you  in  your  great  wis- 
dom shall  think  meet,  & your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound,  will 
ever  pray — 

Kensington  Ocf  14*''  17S5 — 

Abraham  Sanborn  \ Committee  in  behalf 
John  Page  > of  the  parish 

Isaac  Fellows  j of  Kensington 

This  Committee  was  chosen  by  a large  Majority  of  the  parish 
for  the  above  purpose — 

Atest  Moses  Shaw  jr  Parish  Clerk 

[See  Vol.  XI,  p.  127. — Ed.] 


[5-236]  \^Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ //c^j.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss. — 

Pursuant  to  a vote  of  the  General  Court  of  said  State  We  the 
Subscribers  do  hereby  return  the  number  of  male  polls  of 


328 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Twenty  one  years  of  age  and  upwards  paying  for  themselves  a 
Poll  Tax  within  the  Town  of  Kensington  153. 

Kensington  Decern’’  1783 

J.  Bachelder 

Nathan  Dearborn  v Selectmen 
Joseph  Brown  ) 


Sworn  before  Benjamin  Rowe 


[5-237]  \_An  Appeal  for  Dr.  Benjamin  Rowe^  about 


To  his  Excellency  Meshech  Weare,  President  of  the  State  of 

New  Hampshire  And  the  Hon'’^®  Council  for  said  State — 

The  Petition  of  us  whose  names  are  under  written  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Kensington,  humbly  sheweth,  That  Doc- 
tor Benjamin  Rowe  Esq*"  of  said  Kensington,  before  the  present 
Constitution  of  Government  existed,  and  served  the  public  in 
the  capacity  of  a Justice  of  the  peace,  and  we  conceive  he 
served  with  ability  fidelity  and  in  honor.  To  call  in  question 
his  ability  to  act  in  such  a capacity,  would  be  condemning  the 
Judgment  of  that  honorable  body  that  appointed  him  to  his 
office.  * * * * That  we  conceive  while  we  would  by 
no  means  call  in  question  your  wisdom  and  Integrity  in  your 
appointments  ; that  it  is  a Priviledge  we  may  reasonably  hope 
you  will  indulge  us  with,  to  appoint  and  commission  the  said 
Benjamin  Rowe  Esq’’  to  be  Justice  of  the  peace  under  the  pres- 
ent Constitution.  * * * * 


Winthrop  Rowe 
Jonathan  green 
David  Stuard 
Jacob  Worthen 
John  Page  iu 
H anson  Hodgdon 
David  Sanborn 
Jona  Tilton 
Theophilus  Folsom 
Abraham  Sanborn 
Jonathan  Prescott 
Jonathan  Rowe 
Paul  Blake 
Samuel  Prescutt 
John  Melcher 
David  Prescott 
Elihu  Chase 
Nathan  gove 


Benj^  Moulton 
John  Page 
Benjamin  James  Jur 
henry  Sanbun 
Charles  Page 
Theophilus  Sanburn 
John  'Lamprey 
Joseph  Palmer 
Abner  Eastman 
Benjamin  Eastman 
Enoch  Worthen 
Robert  Pike 
Stephen  Page 
Stephen  Brown  the 

S'" 

Jethro  Brown 
Jeremiah  Dearborn 
David  Shaw 


Stephen  Brown 
Timothy  S.  Eaton 
Nathaniel  Dow 
Nathaniel  Weare 
William  french 
Stephen  Brown  jr 
Weare  Nudd 
Jonathan  Flanders 
John  Green 
Stephen  Green 
obadiah  Johnson 
David  James 
John  Chase 
Ephraim  Abbott 
Caleb  Brown 
moses  Blake 
Richard  Samborn 
JoiP  Prescott  Ju 


KENSINGTON. 


329 


Caleb  Brown 
Enoch  gove 
Elijah  gove 
Josiah  Blake 
Hezekiah  Blake 
Samuel  Dearborn 
Jos  C.  Hillard 
Benjamin  James 
Benjamin  Tilton 
Abraham  Prescutt 
William  Brown 
Noah  Hobbs 
Simon  Prescutt 
Joseph  Prescutt 
odlin  Prescott 
Benjamin  Prescott 
Josiah  Batchelder 


Edward  Lock 
Joseph  Rowe 
Moses  Shaw 
Elisha  Blake  Jur 
Nathan  Shaw 
Abraham  Shaw 
Elisha  Blake 
Stephen  Chase 
John  Palmer 
Josiah  Brown 
martin  Prescott 
Josepli  Clifford 
Nathan  Page 
Samuel  Clifford 
Benjamin  Loveren 
Ebenezer  Loveren 
John  Graves 


John  Bachelor 
Jeremiah  Tilton 
Joseph  Brown 
David  Philbrick 
Joseph  Hilliard 
Joseph  Dow 
Josiah  Dow 
Benjamin  Dow 
Isaac  Fellows 
Jonathan  Palmer 
John  Batchelder 
David  Chase 
Samuel  Rowe 
Joseph  Wadleigh 
Jewett  Sanborn 


[5-238]  [^Petition  for  a Coro?ter^  iy86.~\ 


To  the  Honorable  the  President  and  Council  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 


Gentlemen — 


We  the  Subscribers  desirous  of  having  a Coroner  or  Coroners 
appointed  in  Kensington  take  liberty  to  recommend  M*'  Nathan 
Dow  and  M*"  Newell  Healey  as  fit  for  that  Office — 

Kensington  May  the  15*^  17S6 — 


Eben*’  Clifford 
Jere.  Fogg  Jun*’ 
Jere  : Bachelder 
Winthrop  Rowe 
Samuel  Rowe 
John  Batchelder 


Philemon  Blake  Jr 
Joshua  Lane 
JoiP  Fellows 
Eben''  Potter 
Stephen  Page 
Enoch  worthen 


[5-239]  \_yere?niah  Pog'fs  Declination  of  the  Office  of  Ad- 
jutant- General^ 


Gentlemen — 


Kensington  July  y®  1786 — 


About  the  beginning  of  last  Month  I rec*^  the  inclosed  Com- 
mission from  the  hands  of  y®  deputy  Secretary — 

The  Honor  done  me  by  the  late  Executive  in  an  appointment 
so  important  as  that  of  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  is  grate- 


330 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


fully  acknowledged — And  while  I realize  the  Dignity  as  well 
as  necessity  of  such  an  Office  I regret  my  inability  to  fulfill  it 
and  the  Necessity  I am  under  to  decline  an  Acceptance. — 

I am  with  much  esteem  GenP 

Your  very  humble  Servant — 

Jere:  Fogg 

To  the  Honorable  the  President  and  Council  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 


KINGSTON. 

The  township  was  granted  Aug.  6,  1694,  in  the  sixth  year 
of  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary,  by  Lieut.  Gov.  John 
Usher,  to  James  Prescott,  Sr,  Isaac  Godfrey,  Thomas  Phil- 
brick,  Jr.,  Gershom  Elkins,  Samuel  Calcott,  Thomas  Web- 
ster, Samuel  Dearborn,  William  Godfrey,  Jacob  Garland, 
John  Mason,  Ebenezer  Webster,  Nathaniel  Sandburn,  Ben- 
jamin Sandburn,  John  Moulton,  Daniel  Moulton,  Francis 
Towle,  and  others,  mostly  of  Hampton.  It  was  named 
Kingstown,  the  derivation  of  which  is  obvious,  and  the  name 
was  generally  so  spelled  until  about  the  year  1800.  This 
grant  covered  the  territory  which  is  now  contained  in  the 
towns  of  East  Kingston,  Danville,  and  Sandown.  Settle- 
ments were  commenced  soon  after  the  grant,  but  little  prog- 
ress was  made  until  after  the  treaty  of  peace  with  the  Ind- 
ians, which  was  signed  at  Portsmouth,  July  ii,  1713.  Rev. 
Ward  Clark,  ordained  in  1725,  was  their  first  settled  minis- 
ter. 

Nov.  17,  1738,  the  easterly  part  of  the  town  was  set  off 
and  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Kingstown  East  Parish. 

The  west  part  of  the  town,  as  originally  granted,  was  set 
off  April  6,  1756,  by  the  governor  and  council,  and  incorpo- 
rated into  the  town  of  Sandown.  Another  portion  was  in- 
corporated into  a town  by  the  name  of  Hawke  (now  Dan- 
ville), Feb.  22,  1760.  In  consequence  of  these  acts,  the 
town  at  present  contains  but  a small  portion  of  its  original 
grant. 

Dr.  Josiah  Bartlett  commenced  practice  in  this  town  in 
1761.  He  was  a member  of  the  state  committee  of  safety 
from  May  19,  1775,  to  Jan.  20,  1776  ; from  Jan.  20,  1777,  to 
May  28,  1778;  and  from  Jan.  5,  1779,  to  May  29,  1784; 


KINGSTON. 


331 


one  of  the  justices  of  the  supreme  court  from  Nov.  14,  1782, 
until  he  was  elected  president  of  the  state  in  1790,  holding 
the  office  of  chief  executive  four  years.  He  died  May  19, 
1795,  at  the  age  of  65. 


[5-240]  \^Petitio7i  for  a Confrmation  of  the  Grant  and 
Specif  cation  of  its  Bounds.^ 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General, 
Governour  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majes- 
tys  Province  of  New  Hampshire  in  New  England  and  to  the 
Honorable  his  majestys  Council  for  said  Province 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Kingstown 
in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  Most  Humbly  Shews 
That  on  the  Sixth  of  August  A.  D.  1694 — Usher  Esq*^ 
then  Lieutenant  Governour  & Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over 
said  Province  with  the  advice  & Consent  of  the  Council  for  s*^ 
Province  by  a Charter  of  that  date  did  give  and  Grant  a certain 
tract  of  land  lying  within  the  said  Province  of  New  Hampshire 
described  and  bounded  as  in  the  said  charter  (refference  thereto 
being  had  may  fully  appear)  unto  the  persons  mentioned  in 
said  Charter,  and  unto  Severall  others  of  their  Majestys  loving 
Subjects,  that  then  did  or  Should  Inhabit  within  the  said  Grant 
— That  from  the  Date  of  said  Charter  till  the  Settlement  of  the 
Boundary  line  between  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  on  the 
South  and  the  Province  of  the  Massachusets  Bay  on  the  North 
there  has  been  both  a publick  and  private  dispute  Subsisting 
which  has  been  no  Small  Detriment  to  the  said  Town  of  Kings- 
town— 

That  your  Petitioners  apprehend  the  Boundary  Line  between 
the  Two  provinces  is  now  fixed  and  that  the  Southern  Bounds 
of  Kingstown  is  the  same  as  the  dividing  line  between  the  Two 
Provinces — 

That  there  is  some  ambiguity  and  uncertainty  in  the  said 
Charter  as  to  the  bounds  of  said  Grant — which,  for  want  of  an 
Explanation  may  possibly  hereafter  be  the  occasion  of  disputes 
and  expense  of  much  time  and  Money,  which  by  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  in  your  great  wisdom  may  be  prevented 
Wherefore  your  Petitioners  pray  your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours to  take  this  Petition  and  the  Charter  afores'^  (a  copy  of 
which  your  Petitioners  will  lay  before  your  Excellency  & Hon- 
ours) under  vour  wise  consideration  and  to  Confirm  the  afore- 
said  Grant  and  to  rectify  any  mistakes  and  uncertaintys  there 
may  be  touching  the  description  or  bounds  of  the  said  tract  of 
Land  intended  to  be  given  and  granted  by  the  aforesaid  Charter 


332 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


SO  that  the  said  Grant  may  take  effect  according  to  the  true  in- 
tent and  meaning  thereof — And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c — 

Eben^  Stevens  ^ Select  Men  of  Kings- 
Jedidiah  Philbrick  > town  & in 
John  Hunton  j behalf  of  said  Town 


[5-241]  S^Precept for  an  Election^  7/70.] 

Province  of  New  Hampslff 

to  the  Constable  of  Kings  Town  you  are  in  Her  majestys 
Name  Required  to  Convean  the  free  houlder  of  your  Town  to- 
gether on  munday  the  28  day  of  this  Instant  august  at  two  of 
y®  clock  in  y®  afternoon  : and  being  So  meet  you  make  Choyce 
of  a meet  person  Qiialified  according  to  Law  : to  RepreSent 
your  Town  in  Generali  Assembly  to  Sitt  att  portsmouth  the 

and  y^  you  Certifie  the  person  so  Chosen  to 
the  assembly  at  the  time  abovesaid — for  which  this  Shall  be 
your  Warrant — 

Dated  August  24:  1710 — 


[5-242]  Ki7igsto7i  Alens  NaTnes  Sworn  to  K g 2^ : 


Samll  Judkins 
Nath  11  ffrench 
Joseph  Welch 
Simon  ffrench 
Joseph  Elkins 
John  young 
Sam^'  Webster 
John  Gillman 
Sam*^  Tucker 
Eben*'  Webster 
Ephraim  Severens 
Nathan  Prescot 
Luther  Morgan 
Phinehas  Batchelder 
Benj  judkins 
Sam^  Colcord 
Phillip  Moodey 
Richard  Clifford 
Edward  Eastman 
John  Webster  jur 
John  Sweat 


Ichabod  Clough 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Moses  Sleeper 
Daniel  Giles 
Theop.  Griffin 
William  Long 
Ralph  Blasdell 
Nathan  Batchelder 
Sam’^  Welch 
Nathanaell  Rundlet 
John  Lad 
Jeremy  Webster 
Benjam  Choatt 
Sam^^  Colcord 
James  prescutt 
Ichabod  Robe 
John  ffifield 
Joseph  ffifield 
Aaron  Sleper 
Joseph  young 
Daniell  Lad 


Eben’’  ffellows 
Joshua  prescutt 
Elish  winslow 
John  webstr 
Eben*'  Sleper 
philep  Row 
Isac  Greeffen 
Daniel  Been 
Saiff^  Been 
Jonathan  Lauerence 
Jonathan  Choatt 
philip  hunton 
Elish  Swett 
Daniell  Gillman 
Saiff^  Robe 
Josiah  bachelder 
Sam^'  ffifield 
william  busell 
nath^^  ffrench  Ju 
M*"  Ebeff  Colens 
Thomas  Corbin 


KINGSTON. 


333 


Andrew  Webster 
Samll  drench 
Ephraim  Elkins 
Daniell  Young 
Jonathan  Webster 
Benj.  Welch 
Joseph  Young 


Sam^^  Estmun 
Sam^^  Stevens 
David  Qrienbe 
Isac  godfree 
Jeremiah  hubbard 
EbeY  Estman 
Jeddiah  philbrock 


Benjamin  Swett 
abraham  watson 
Sam^^  Sanburn 
moses  Rowell 
thorn®  Geoarg 
moses  Elkens 
Carneilas  Clough 


[5-243]  [^Relative  to  Taxatio7i  by  Massachusetts^ 

To  his  Excellencie  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*"  Cap*  Generali  and 
Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Maj*‘®®  Province  of  New 
hampshire  to  the  hon*’^®  the  Councill,  and  house  of  Represen- 
tatives Now  Conven’d  in  Geif^  Assembly 

The  humble  Petition  of  Samuell  Graves  of  Kingstown  in 
newhampshire  for  himselfe  and  in  Behalfe  of  the  Proprietors  of 
the  Said  Town  of  Kingstown  Most  humbly  Sheweth — 

That  your  Petitioner  is  an  Inhabitant  of  the  Said  Town  of 
Kingstown  on  part  of  that  Town  that  Lyes  Neare  seventeen 
Miles  Dew  North  from  the  River  Now  Caled  Merrimack  : Yet 
So  it  is  that  the  People  In  habiting  Havereill  in  the  County  of 
Essex  in  the  Massachusets  Bay  pretending  Right  to  the  Soile 
where  your  Petitioner  Liveth  : (and  alsoe  to  a Great  part  of  the 
Said  Town  of  Kingstown)  which  lyes  Some  five,  Some  ten 
Miles,  and  Som  fifteen.  Sixteen,  or  Seventeen  Miles  North 
from  Said  Merrimack  : and  the  Goverment  of  the  Masachusets 
assumes  Jurisdiction  over  all  the  Dimentions  afibre  Said:  and 
hath  Taken  y*"  Petetion‘‘  by  vertue  of  the  writs  and  process  out 
of  the  Courts  of  that  County  of  Essex  : and  he  hath  been  De- 
tained in  the  County  Goale  in  Ipswitch  in  Sd  County  of  Essex 
above  Seventeen  Weeks — and  Since  Your  Petitioner  has  at  his 
Great  Expence  Discharged  himselfe  : yet  Since  y*  his  Neigh- 
bour Jeremiah  Clough  that  Joynes  upon  y*"  Petitioners  Land  fif- 
teen or  Sixteen  Miles  to  the  North  of  the  S**  River  Merrimack  : 
hath  been  taken  by  process  out  of  the  Courts  belonging  to  the 
Said  County  of  Essex  : & there  put  In  Goale  and  forc’t  to  find 
pledges  & suerties  to  Answer  in  the  Courts  of  the  Said  County 
of  Essex — 

Notwithstanding  the  Said  Courts  Cannot  pretend  any  Juris- 
diction So  far  Northward  of  the  Said  River  Merrimack  and  tho’ 
your  Petitioner  Did  Exhibit  a Petition  in  his  own  and  the  afibre- 
said  Cloughs  Name  to  the  Geif^  ass"'  of  the  Mass*'  praying  that 
they  might  have  Some  Relief,  and  that  things  might  Rest  till 
the  Setlem*  of  the  lines  : yet  Could  have  no  Redress — and  was 
answered  they  would  not  Estop  themselves  unless  this  Province 


334 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


would  Do  something  first  (or  be  tyed  as  well  as  them  from  any 
prosecution)  — 

Your  humble  Petitioner  Most  humbly  prayes  that  your  Ex- 
cellcie,  Councill  & house  of  Representatives  will  In  y*"  Wisdom 
as  Seems  most  meet  proceed  to  Do  Something  that  may  put  a 
Stop  to  any  further  proceedings  untill  Such  Time  as  the  Lines 
May  be  Setled — and  your  Petitioner  Shall  Ever  pray 

May  the  4^^  ^73^ 

Samuel  Graves 


[5-244]  \_Petition  of  Inhabitants  of  the  Easterly  Part  for  a 

New  Parish^ 

To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*"  Cap^  Gen^^  and  Gov- 
er°  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesties  Province  of  New 
Hamps  : in  New  England,  And  to  the  Hon'^^®  his  Majesties 
Council  and  Representatives  in  Gen^^  Court  Assembled  May 

ye  2<i 

The  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Kingstown  in 
the  Easterly  part  'thereof,  In  the  Province  afores*^  Humbly 
Sheweth : That  Whereas  divine  Providence  (which  Sets 
Bounds  to  all  our  habitations)  hath  placed  us  at  a great  Dis- 
tance from  the  place  of  Publick  worship  up  in  Town  And  so 
rendered  our  attendance  there  very  Difficult  & often  Impracti- 
cable for  our  families — This  has  put  us  upon  Building  a New 
Meeting  House  Among  our  Selves  to  Accommodate  our  women 
& Children  as  well  as  our  Selves  that  we  might  More  Conven- 
iently attend  the  Publick  worship  of  God  And  with  more  Ease 
& Comfort  Enjoy  the  word  & Ordinances  and  Means  of  Grace 
which  are  So  Necessary  to  our  Spiritual  Edification  and  Eter- 
nal Salvation  Upon  which  we  being  desirous  to  Maintain  the 
worship  of  God  among  our  Selves  at  our  own  Cost  And  Charge 
applyed  our  Selves  to  the  Town  to  Set  us  oft' to  be  a Distinct 
Parish  or  Precinct  from  them  But  they  not  Duly  Considering 
our  Difficult  Circumstances  have  unreasonably  rejected  our  re- 
quest ; Wee  therefore  now  humbly  Apply  our  Selves  to  your 
Excellency  and  Hon^®  for  relief  And  pray  that  this  Hon'^*®  Court 
would  please  to  Consider  and  Compassionate  our  Difficult  Case 
and  Make  us  a Distinct  Parish  or  precinct  by  fixing  a Parish 
Line,  or  Polling  oft'  our  persons  & Estates  who  are  Subscribers 
hereunto  that  we  may  be  Discharged  from  paying  to  the  Min- 
istry or  School  in  the  other  part  of  the  Town  and  enjoy  the 
Powers  & Priviledges  of  a Distinct  Parish  by  our  Selves  ; We 
have  paid  our  part  of  the  Towns  Extraordinary  Charge  in 
Building  A New  Meeting  House,  and  Settling  a new  Minister, 


KINGSTON. 


335 


& buying  a Parsonage  House  & Land  Among  them  ; And  they 
are  Numerous  And  Sufficiently  able  to  Carry  on  without  us,  It 
Seems  then  very  unreasonable  for  them  to  deny  us  our  request, 
and  we  have  been  at  an  Extraordinary  Charge  to  Build  A 
Meeting  House  and  to  procure  preaching  for  Some  time  as  well 
as  to  Maintain  a School  among  our  Selves  at  our  own  Cost, 
and  hope  God  will  Enable  us  Still  to  do  it  Cheerfully  and  pros- 
per us  in  so  good  an  Undertaking  which  tends  so  much  to  pro- 
mote religion  and  the  best  good  of  our  families  & Children  ; 
And  we  pray  that  your  Excellency  and  Hoffi®  would  in  your 
great  Wisdom  and  Goodness  Encourage  us  in  so  good  a design 
and  Accordingly  Grant  our  request 

So  Shall  we  as  in  duty  Bound  Ever  pray  &c 


Benjamin  French 
Richard  Cliffard 
John  Darling 
Joseph  Grele 
Theophilus  Griffen 
william  Boynton 
Joshua  Prescut 
Jeremy  Webster 
William  Smith 
Nathan  Bachelder 
Phinehas  Bachelder 
Jonathan  Greele 
Jeremiah  Prescot 
Stephen  Merrill 
Josiah  Bachelder 
Edward  fifield 
Benjamin  Morrill 
Ebenezer  Bachelder 


John  Clifford 
Andrew  Webster 
Josiah  Tilton 
Isaac  Godfrey 
Isaac  Grefin 
John  Webster 
Caleb  Clough 
Abraham  Smith 
Samuel  Lock 
John  Webster  Jff 
Joseph  eastman 
theophiLus  CLough 
thomas  eastman 
Ichabod  Clough 
Ebenezer  fellows 
Edmund  Titcomb 
Philemon  wells 
James  Tappin 


Sam^^  Emons 
Ebenezer  Sleeper 
Ebenezer  Collins 
Orlando  Bagly 
Ebenezer  Webster 
Thomas  Webster 
Jim'' 

John  Clifford  Juff 
Joseph  Greele  Junr 
Jonathan  Blasdel 
Daniel  Rowell 
Enoch  Blasdel 
Samuel  Tompson 
Joseph  Gould 
Thomas  Brown 
William  Whicher 
John  Darling  Juff 
Jacob  Gale 


[It  was  set  off  and  incorporated  as  Kingston  East  Parish, 
November  17,  1738. — Ed.] 


[5-245]  \_Petitio7i  for  a Grant  of  Land^ 

To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esquire  Commander  in 
Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesties  Province  of  New  Hampshire 
and  to  the  Honourable  his  Majesties  Council 

The  Humble  Petition  of  us  Inhabitants  of  Kingstown, — 

Most  Humbly  sheweth. 

That  with  Earnest  desire  of  Enlarging  the  dominion  of  the 
Supreme  of  the  English  Territories ; and  to  Accomodate  our 


336 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Posterity  under  the  most  happy  Administration  on  Earth  : WE 
have  exposed  our  Persons  and  Families  Goods  and  Fortunes  to 
the  Ravage  and  Insults  of  a barbarous  Enemy,  and  many  of  our 
dear  Friends  and  Relatives  have  lost  their  Lives  in  the  Enter- 
prize,  and  Others  undergone  a long  and  Sore  Captivity  and 
some  of  them  redeemed  with  vast  Labour  and  difficulty  and 
great  Expence  which  has  so  impoverished  many  of  us  that  We 
have  been  Obliged  to  sell  much  of  our  Lands  to  the  Inhabitants 
of  Other  Towns  in  which  distressing  and  Calamitous  Wars  we 
have  been  their  Barrier,  and  thro’  the  unhappy  Disputes  arising 
between  this  and  the  adjacent  Province  much  of  our  Lands  has 
been  Seized  and  Setled  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  neighbouring 
Province  which  has  caused  Some  of  us  Inhabitants  great  Tryalls 
and  Perplexities  in  being  harrassed  with  Uncomfortable  & 
Chargeable  Lawsuits  ; 

On  These  and  several  other  Motives  we  did  humbly  Request 
a Tract  of  Land  near  adjoining  to  Ammiskeeg  Falls  which  has 
laid  upon  File  near  Fourteen  Years,  thro’  the  unsetled  state  of 
- this  Province  in  respect  to  the  Line.  WE  Have  been  at  the 
Charge  of  sending  a Number  of  Men  to  view  the  Inland  and  to 
give  us  a plan  of  a suitable  Tract  of  Land  which  may  be  indis- 
putable and  thro’  the  Guidance  of  Providence  they  have  found 
such  a spot  between  Winnepeseokke  & Pemissewassett  Rivers. 
WE  Therefore  humbly  Request  the  favourable  and  Compas- 
sionate consideration  of  your  Excellency  and  Honours  in  the 
Grant  of  a Township  there  of  Ten  miles  square  or  of  such 
other  Dimensions  and  Quantity  as  in  your  Wisdom  may  seem 
meet,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray 
&c. — 


Ebenezer  Stevens 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Joseph  Seecomb 
Jedediah  Philbrick 
Simeon  Brown 
John  Sweet  Juffi 
Joseph  Easeman 
Ebenezer  Easeman 
Ebenezer  Stevens 
Juffi 

Francis  Batchelor 
Peter  Sanborn 
Samuel  Bean 
Cornelius  Clough 
William  Wicher 
Beniamin  Choate 
Juffi 

Joshua  Woodman 


Samuel  Judkins 
Samuel  French 
Jacob  Morrill 
William  Buzwell 
Theophilus  Clough 
Joseph  Greele  Juffi 
Benjamin  French 
Jonathan  Greele 
John  Clark 
Benjamin  Judkins 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Jonathan  Young 
Benjamin  Sleeper 
Joshua  Webster 
Moses  Sleeper 
Aaron  Young 
William  Siloway 
Joseph  Young  Juffi 


Joseph  Clifford 
John  Clifford 
Daniel  Young 
Nathaniel  French 
Benj^  Easeman 
Samuel  Easeman 
Benj^  Adams 
William  Long 
Philip  Huntoon 
NatlF  Smith 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Tert : 

Abraham  Sanborn 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
JuiF 

Jeremiah  Hubbard 
Samuel  Huntoon 
Joseph  Bean  Juff 


KINGSTON. 


337 


Jonathan  French 
Thomas  Elkins 
Beniamin  French 
Jun*- 

Benjamin  Morrill 
Benjamin  Ladd 
Samuel  Robey 
John  Newton 
Elisha  Sweet 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Daniel  Gilman 


Joseph  Fellows 
John  Hubbard 
Nathan  Sweet 
John  Fifield  Jun*" 
Elisha  Winslo 
Samuel  Tucker 
Joseph  Fifield 
Isaac  Clifford 
Samuel  Colcord 
Tristram  Sanborn 
Benjamin  Webster 


Jonathan  Choate 
Benj^  Wodley 
Jacob  Gilman 
Samuel  Fifield 
Samuel  Sleeper 
John  Huntoon 
Tristram  Sanborn 
JuiF 

Joseph  Adams 
Samuel  Webster 
Ebenezer  Colcord 


The  whole  number  is  8i  persons. 


[5-246]  \^Actio72  of  Town- Meet  mg  ^ 

At  A Legal  town  meeting  held  by  the  Inhabetance  and  free- 
holders of  kingston  y®  second  day  of  march:  1 741/2:  15  ly 
voted  that  sq.  Ebe*'  Stevens  Jedidah  Philbrock  & Jeremiah  Web- 
ster are  Chosen  a committe  to  bring  forward  the  petition  which 
is  allready  Laid  before  the  governor  & Councel  by  sd  town  of 
kingston  or  to  prepare  any  other  petition  for  sd  town  to  the  sd 
govrner  & Councel  This  is  a true  Copey  taken  out  of  kingston 
book  of  Reackords  as  a test  by  me — 

Tristram  Sanborn  town  Clerk  for  kingston 


[5-247]  [_Tet/tion  for  Lafids^  J/JO.] 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq’’  Governour  & 
Commander  in  chief  in  & over  his  Majestie’s  of  New  Hamp- 
shr®  & To  the  HoiP^  his  Majestie’s  Council  of  s*^  Prov. 

The  Petition  of  Jedediah  Philbrick  of  Kingston  in  said  Prov- 
ince, Humbly  Sheweth,  as  well  on  his  own  behalf  as  on  the 
behalf  of  his  Associates  That  your  said  Petitioner  &c — have 
lived  in  a Frontier  Town  during  some  of  the  late  Wars  exposed 
to  all  the  Dangers  & Difficulties  of  such  a Situation  of  which 
your  Excellency  & Honours  we  doubt  not  will  be  thoroughly 
sensible  upon  the  bare  mention  without  enumerating  of  them 
And  we  never  yet  having  had  any  Grant  of  Lands  made  us  as 
many  of  our  Neighbours  and  fellow  Subjects  have  had  & we 
being  desposed  to  cultivate  & improve  some  of  the  wast  Lands 
of  this  his  Majestie’s  Province  aforesaid  Humbly  hope  & pray 
that  y*"  Excellency  & Honours  would  be  pleased  to  grant  to  us 
& our  Associates  (a  list  of  which  is  herewith  humbly  presented 
or  such  as  your  Excellency  & Honours  shall  be  pleased  to  join 
24 


338 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


with  us)  a Township  to  the  Northward  of  & joining  to  No.  4 
(so  called)  & bounding  on  the  East  side  of  Connecticut  River 
and  if  we  may  not  have  it  there  we  pray  that  it  may  be  allotted 
us  in  some  other  place,  commodious  for  a speedy  settlement  or 
elsewhere  as  your  ExcelE  & Hon”  in  your  great  Wisdom  shall 
see  meet  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever 
Pray— 

Kingston  10*^  SepP  1750 — 


Jedidiah  Philbrick 
tristram  Sanborn 
Elisha  Sweett 
will™  Busiel 
Samuel  fifield 
John  Young 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Peter  Sanborn 
John  fifield  jun*" 
Benjamin  Sweett 
thomas  Eastman 
Sam^^  Webster 
Natt'^  french 
Benjamin  french  jun’ 
Obediah  Clough 
Benjamin  Sanborn 
Joseph  fellows 
Epheraim  Seaver- 
ance  juY 


Benjamin  Choat  jun’ 
Joseph  Greely 
NatP^  Hunton 
Daniel  Gillman 
John  Webster  jun’’ 
Joseph  Elkins 
Jonathan  Choat 
Eben’’  webster 
Elisha  winslow 
Eben’’  Long 
SanY  Robey 
Jeremiah  Philbrick 
Edward  Sleeper 
Joseph  Secombe 
Peter  Coffin 
Benjamin  webster 
Joshua  webster 
william  Calfe  • 


Joshua  woodman 
Ebeffi  Bachilder 
Isaac  Smith 
Abraham  Green 
Joshua  Brown 
Joseph  Greely  Juffi 
Hezekiah  Young 
Joseph  Eastman 
Juffi 

Ebeffi  Paige 
Daniel  Brown 
Nathan  Bachilder 
Benjamin  Morril 
Ebeffi  Collins 
Daniel  Clough — 


[5-250]  \^Action  of  Town  relative  to  Roads ^ 

Kingston  march  24*^  ^755 
Decon  Elisha  Sweet  was  chosen  moderator 
2^y  voted  that  we  will  prefer  a Pettison  to  the  Generali  Court 
for  Liberty  to  sell  that  Grant  of  a high  way  between  m’'  John 
fields  Land  and  m’'  Stephen  Gillmans  Land 

a true  Copey  taken  out  of  Kingston  Book 

Ebeffi  Stevens  town  Clark 

at  a lagel  Commoners  meetin  held  march  y®  24^^  ^755 
Decon  Elisha  Sweet  was  Chosen  moderator  for  s*^  meeting 
2^y  voted  that  we  will  prefar  a Pettison  to  the  Generali  Court 
for  to  Exchang  the  high  way  that  was  laid  out  in  the  West  part 
of  the  town  for  a nother  way  in  a mor  Conveniant  place  whear 
the  town  has  purchased  it 

A true  Coppey  taken  out  of  Kingston  Book  of  Record 

attest — Ebeffi  Stevens  town  Cleark 


KINGSTON. 


339 


[5-252]  \_Petitzon  relative  to  a Road^  ^755*] 

Province  of  New  Hamps : 

To  his  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq.  & Govern*^  in  & 
over  his  Majesties  Province  of  New  Hamps;  And  to  the 
Hon^^®  his  Majesties  Council,  And  House  of  Representatives 
in  Gen^^  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Select  men  for  the  Town  of 
Kingstown  in  s^  Province  Humbly  Sheweth — That  whereas 
there  was  a High  way  formerly  laid  out  by  the  Inhabitants  of  our 
Town  of  Kingstown  to  Accommodate  the  Inhabitants  of  London 
Derry  & people  above,  to  come  down  through  our  s'^  Town  to 
Portsmouth  &c  which  s^  way  now  it  corns  to  be  wanted  is  found 
to  be  very  bad  ground  for  A High  way  in  part  of  it  viz  : from  the 
Westerly  end  of  the  Two  Hundred  Acre  Grants  (so  Called)  in 
s^  Town  to  the  Rode  going  by  Lieu*  James  Graves’s  & exceed- 
ingly prejudicial  to  private  men  by  Cutting  their  Land  very 
much  in  pieces  & also  go  over  a burying  place  which  the  In- 
habitants have  made  & already  laid  their  Dead  ; wherefore  your 
Petitioners  have  been  & view’d  & have  found  & purchas’d 
a far  more  Convenient  way  in  all  respects  viz : it  being 
much  better  ground  for  a High  Way  viz  : much  easier  made 
& much  Easier  & Cheaper  kept  in  Repair  and  much  Cheaper 
purchased  & far  less  prejudicial  to  private  persons  in  regard  to 
their  Lands,  & shorter  & so  nearer  for  Travellers  : to  go  from 
s'*  James  Graves’s  to  the  s'*  end  of  the  Two  Hundred  Acre 
Grants  ; wherefore  your  Excellency  & Hon’’®  Petitioners  Hum- 
bly prays  that  your  Excellency  & Hon'®  would  be  pleasd  to 
Consider  our  Case  & Abrogate  & make  Null  & void  the  s'*  way 
in  that  part  of  it  viz  : from  s'*  Graves’s  Rods  to  the  s'*  West  end 
of  the  s'*  Two  Hundred  Acre  Grants,  And  by  your  Excellencys 
& Hon'®  Com*'®  or  otherways  as  your  Excellency  & Hon'®  shall 
in  your  wisdom  Se  meet  lay  out  confirm  & establish  the  fore- 
mentioned  New  way  Looked  out  & viewed  as  afores'*  & so  your 
Excellency  & Hon'®  Petitioners  shall  as  in  duty  bound  ever 
pray  &c — 

Kingstown  March  the  31®*  day  1755 

Sam**  Winslo  Select  men 
Samuel  fifield  > for 
Elisha  Sweet  ) Kingstown 

[In  H.  of  Rep.  the  matter  was  referred  to  a committee, 
who  reported  as  follows  : — Ed.] 

[5-249] 

Kingston  the  15**^  of  april  i755 
Province  of  New  Hampshier 

by  order  of  the  General  assembley,  we  have  Enquired  and 


340 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


examined  into  the  Subject  Matter  of  the  two  Petitions  Prefer^ 
by  the  Select  men  of  Kingston,  and  are  of  Opinion  that  the 
Praier  of  the  Pittioners  Should  be  Granted,  Saving  a Spring  or 
Place  of  water  in  the  westerly  Ende  of  that  high  Way  Laid  to 
the  Spring  Medow,  which  Spring  with  Land  adjoyning  of  Said 
way  not  Less  then  four  Rods  wide,  be  Left  open  to  the  high- 
way or  Cuntrey  Road  which  Leads  throw  the  Town — which 
is — Humbly  Submitted  by  us  the  Subscribours. 


John  Macmurphy 
John  Paige 


Committee 


[The  foregoing  request  was  granted,  and  an  act  passed  in 
accordance  therewith. — Ed.] 


[5-253]  \_Petition  for  Encouragement  to  Manufacture  Salt^ 

777(5.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  The  state  of  Newhampshire 

The  petition  of  Ebenezer  Griffing  of  Kingstown  in  the 
County  of  Rockingham  in  said  state  Humbly  sheweth 

That  the  Great  Scarcity  of  the  Necessary 
Article  of  salt  and  the  Difficulty  of  procuring  in  the  Usual  way 

. . 

Importation,  has  induced  your  petitioner  to  be  at  Considerable 
Expence  in  Order  to  Erect  works  for  Making  the  samefrom  sea 
water 

That  if  proper  Encouragement  is  Given  he  has  Reason  to  think 
that 

He  shall  in  a short  time  be  Able  to  procure  Large  Quantities 
that  way 

That  the  Erecting  proper  works  for  that  purpose  will  be  At- 
tended 

With  Very  Considerable  Cost  and  Expence  And  as  the 
Manufacturing  that  Very  Necessary  Article  will  be  of  Very 
Great 

Advantage  to  the  publick.  He  humbly  prays  that  your  honors 
will 

Take  the  Matter  into  your  Consideration  and  Grant  him  such 
Encouragement  as  to  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  fit — 

And  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c. 

Ebenezer  Griffing. 


KINGSTON. 


341 


[He  erected  works  for  the  manufacture  of  salt,  as  maybe 
seen  by  the  following  document : — Ed.] 

[5-254]  \^Petition  for  a Lottery^  ^777'~\ 

To  The  Honb'®  The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  Humbly  Shew — 

Ebenezer  Griffing  of  Kingston  in  said  State,  hath,  at  his 
own  Cost,  and  Charge,  erected.  Salt  Works  : within  this  State, 
as  well  for  the  Publick,  as,  his  own  particular  Benefit — being 
moved,  thereto,  from  the  Present — and  future  prospect  of  the 
great  Scarcity,  of  the  Valuable  and  very  necessary  Article  Salt 
— on  Reflection,  he  finds  his  Works  Insufficient  to  make  a 
Qiiantity  barely  sufficient  to  Supply  the  Wants  of  his  Vicinity 
— the  Uncommon  Demand  of  Salt  throughout  this  State  being 
such  as  strongly  urges  your  Petitioner  to  make  further  Trials 
(in  the  Art  of  Salt  making)  he  haveing  allready  by  Labour  and 
enquiry  made  good  progress  therein)  to  Effect  which  he  finds 
he  must  make  further  Additions  which  must  be  Attended  with 
great  Cost  too  much  for  him  Individualy  to  hazard,  that  Salt 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  Publick  and  Private  Use  that  it  is 
now  uncommonly  Scarce  and  the  Demand  therfor  daily  increa- 
seth — and  that  there  is  no  Present  prospect  of  Supplys  from  the 
former  Resources  are  facts  notorious  to  your  Honours  your  Pe- 
titioner Therefore  prays  your  Honours  to  take  Under  Consider- 
ation the  Subject  matter  of  this  Petition  & if  Consistent — grant 
him  Power  to  form  and  Accomplish  a Lottery  under  the  Im- 
mediate Inspection  & Direction  of  the  HoiP^®  General  Assem- 
bly of  this  State  for  the  Sole  purpose  of  Assisting  him  in  his 
Endeavours  of  Increasing  the  Qiiantity  of  Salt  Sufficient  for 
the  Demands  of  the  Publick  & your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty 
Bound  Shall  pray 

June  26^^^  1777 — 

Ebenezer  Griffing 


[R.  2-148]  \_yo//n  Prescott^  Soldier^  ^753 

[Joshua  Prescott  petitioned  for  an  allowance  to  pay  for 
nursing  and  doctoring  his  son  John,  who  was  a soldier  at 
Louisbourg,  was  taken  sick,  and  died  soon  after  his  return 
home.  He  further  stated  that  he  (Joshua)  was  65  years 
old,  and  not  able  to  pay  said  bills.  The  petition  was  “ Dis- 
missed.”— Ed.] 


342 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-149]  \_Abst7'acts  fro7n  PetitioTis  of  Fre7ich  War  Sol- 
diers.^ 

[John  Blaisdell  and  Samuel  Fifield,  of  Kingston,  stated 
that  they  were  in  Col.  Meserve’s  regiment,  in  the  Crown 
Point  expedition,  1756.  In  another  petition  (R.  2-150) 
Samuel  Fifield  stated  that  he  “ was  ordered  by  CoF  Meserve 
to  stay  at  Albany  Flatts  to  take  care  of  two  sick  soldiers 
viz  Waldron  Smith  of  Brentwood,  & John  Blasdell  of  s^^ 
Kingstown,”  and  did  not  get  home  until!  January  19,  1757. 
He  was  allowed  new  tenor.  (R.  2-154)  John  East- 
man, of  Kingston,  stated  that  he  was  in  Capt.  Trueworthy 
Ladd’s  company.  Col.  John  Hart’s  regiment ; had  his  gun 
taken  from  him  at  “ AlBiny,”  for  which  he  wanted  pay. 
His  petition  was  dismissed.  (R.  2-155)  Iddo  Webster,  of 
Kingston,  stated  that  he  belonged  to  same  campany  and 
regiment ; had  his  gun  stolen  on  the  way  home,  and  also 
put  his  elbow  out  of  joint,  and  asked  for  an  allowance. 
January  29,  1760,  dismissed.  (R.  2-156)  Josiah  Judkins,  of 
Kingston,  stated  in  a petition  dated  May  7,  1759,  that  he  had 
an  apprentice  named  Richard  Tucker  in  same  company  and 
regiment,  who  was  sick  on  his  way  home,  and  was  put  to  ex- 
traordinary expense  in  consequence,  which  he  wanted  allowed. 
Ordered  “to  lay.”  (R.  2-157)  Benjamin  Sweat,  Jr.,  in  a 
petition  dated  March  19,  1760,  stated  that  he  was  in  Capt. 
Jacob  Bayley’s  company.  Col.  Lovewell’s  regiment,  in  the 
spring  of  1759;  marched  to  Dunstable,  and  from  there  to 
Leicester,  Mass.,  where  he  was  taken  lame,  and  left.  “And 
when  Cap^  Bayley  Came  to  Pay  off  the  Men  under  his 
Command,  I went  to  him  to  see  if  he  had  Money  for  Me, 
and  he  Shew^  Me  that  against  my  Name  Was  only  Sy- 
phers.”  He  was  allowed  36  shillings  sterling.  (R.  2-159) 
John,  son  of  Jonathan  Webster,  was  in  the  service  at  Fort 
Edward  in  1759.  (R.  2-162)  David,  son  of  Asa  Flanders, 

served  in  the  Crown  Point  expedition  in  1756.  (R.  2-163) 

Samuel  Webster  stated  that  his  son  Barnum  was  in  the 
Canada  expedition,  and  died  coming  home  from  Fort  Ed- 
ward in  1758.  Also,  his  son  David  “was  in  mager  tashes 
Regment  at  number  fore  and  died  their”  in  1757. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-164]  \^Capt,  Samuel  Fif  eld's  Certificate.,  7/(52.] 

This  may  Sartifie  Home  It  may  Consarn  that  Jonathan  Bede 
Hath  Paid  an  Eqiieal  Perposion  in  Suporting  the  war  in  my 


KINGSTON. 


343 


Company  with  other  Solders  Since  this  Present  ware — this  from 
your  Humbel  Servant — 

Samuel  fifield  Cap‘ 

Kingston  august  the  23^  1763 

[Jonathan  Beede  belonged  to  the  Quakers. — Ed.] 


|]R.  2-165]  \Petition  of  folm  Dent^  Soldier^  lyjg  : addressed 

to  the  General  Court.'] 

The  Petition  of  John  Dent  of  Kingstown  in  the  Province 
aforesaid — Humbly  Shews — That  your  Petitioner  having  been 
for  more  than  seven  years  in  the  service  of  his  King  & Country 
as  a Soldier : particularly  in  the  last  years  Campaign  after  the 
Reduction  of  Louisbourg  & Territories  &c  (your  Petitioner 
being  a Ranger  in  Cap‘  William  Starks  Company)  which  with 
others  was  sent  up  S‘  John’s  River  in  tlie  Province  of  Nova 
Scotia  where  by  hard  & Incessant  Labour  (in  January  the  very 
dead  of  winter)  in  wet  & cold ; being  obliged  to  work,  in 
water,  snow,  & Ice,  & extream  cold  ; and  when  Nights  come 
on  ; then  to  Lodge  between  the  Heavens  & the  Earth  ; and 
besides  this  ; had  not  a Sufficiency  of  the  Common  & Necessa- 
ry supports  of  life  &c — which  exceeding  Difficultys  bro’t  upon 
your  poor  Petitioner  such  sore  disorders  & diseases  of  Body  as 
caused  a long  & tedious  sickness  which  at  length  fell  into  his 
feet ; for  which  both  of  his  feet  have  been  cut  off  & yet  they  are 
not  healed ; and  in  this  distressed  state  your  petitioner  was 
obliged  to  spend  all  his  wages  : which  was  all  his  substance  for 
Chirurgery  ; & other  Necessaries  ; and  now  tho’  through  Gods 
Rich  Mercy  & goodness  to  your  petitioner  he  is  escaped  (thus 
far)  with  his  life  & got  to  his  Native  Town  yet  being  without 
estate,  & is  ever  entirely  Incapacitated  for  Labor  and  so  is  now 
(even  if  he  should  get  well)  in  a very  distressed  state  & condi- 
tion and  inasmuch  as  this  evil  came  upon  this  unhappy  crea- 
ture ; by  hardships  endured  in  the  service  of  his  King  & defence 
of  his  Country;  he  Humbly  cries  unto  this  Court  praying  for 
an  Interest  in  their  compassion  ; Intreating  that  something  may 
be  allotted  to  him  that  may  at  least  in  some  measure  contribute 
to  his  support  & subsistance  while  he  may  exist  in  the  present 
state  ; and  so  your  poor  & distressed  Petitioner  shall  as  in  Duty 
Bound  ever  pray  &c 

John  Dent 

Kingstown  June  the  13*^  day  1759 
Voted,  dismissed  Octob’’  12^^  G59 


344 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-166]  \_Petition  of  Paul  Pressey^  Soldier^  ^759' 
dressed  to  the  General  Assembly 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Paul  Pressey  of  Kingston  in  said 
Province — Shews  That  your  Petitioner  was  an  enlisted  soldier 
in  this  province  Service  in  the  year  1758,  under  the  Command 
of  Cap‘  Trueworthy  Ladd,  of  CoP  John  Hart  Esq*"  Regim‘  for 
the  Reduction  of  Canada,  who  proceed‘d  & went  in  said  Ser- 
vice as  far  as  any  of  the  Regim^  But  so  it  was  that  on  the  28^*^ 
of  July  1758,  the  Enemy  Cutt  oft'a  number  of  Teems,  & Killed 
many  of  the  soldiers,  & women  &c,  that  Convey‘d  them,  & your 
Petitioner  with  a Large  number  of  this  province  Troops,  were 
ordered  by  their  sup*'  officer  to  march  Immediately  to  their 
relief  & did,  & In  the  Fight  there  your  petitioner  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  be  shot  by  an  Indian  in  the  Left  Breast,  the  bullet 
Log«  in  the  back  part  of  his  shoulder,  was  afterward  Cut  out  by 
Doc*"  Clark.  ^ ^ when  your  petitioner  was  one 

hundred  & fifty  miles  from  home  was  obliged  to  sell  his  shoes 
off  his  feet  for  sustenance  In  order  to  get  home.  * * 

Paul  Pressey 


[R.  2-167]  [ Certificate  relative  to  fioregoingC^ 


To  the  Honorabile  Gentelman  of  the  House  of  Repreizen- 
tives  of  the  Province  of  Newhampshir  this  is  to  Inform  your 
Honours  What  We  the  Subscribers  Know  Concerning  M‘‘ Paul 
Pressey  Sence  he  Came  Home  from  the  Lake  the  said  Pressey 
was  not  able  to  Do  any  work  of  any  Valy  till  a Bout  the  first  of 
December  1758  and  after  that  he  was  often  Complaining  of  his 
Shoulder  as  he  was  Shuing  of  oxen  for  Sume  of  us  and  other 
times  he  was  Saing  that  his  wound  hurt  him  in  his  Labour 
Dated  att  Kingston  march  y®  i2‘^  ^759 — 


Jeremiah  Hubbard 
Joshua  Webster 
Dyer  Hook 
Jonathan  French 
Humphrey  Hook 


Jonathan  French 
Juner 

Daniel  Brown 
John  Paige 
Jonathan  Harvey 


Ephraim  Paige 
Joseph  Worth 
Caleb  towl 
Caleb  towl  Junr 
Aaron  Quimby 


[Dr.  John  Kittredge,  of  Andover,  Mass.,  testifies  to  hav- 
ing taken  care  of  his  wound.  He  asked  for  relief,  and  was 
allowed  fi8  sterling. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-168]  \_Jeremiah  Bartletf s Petition^  /y/c?.] 

[In  a petition,  dated  “ Kingstown  April  2*^  1778,”  Jere- 
miah Bartlett  stated  that  he  was  “ a soldier  in  the  company 


KINGSTON. 


345 


commanded  by  Capt  Ezra  Currier,  in  Col®  Abraham  Drake’s 
Regiment,  that  marched  from  this  State  Last  fall  and  joined 
the  northern  Army  near  Stillwater.”  He  further  stated  that 
he  was  taken  with  a fever  near  Fishkill,  and  wanted  pay  for 
his  expences  in  getting  home,  etc.  He  was  allowed  ]£6o. 
—Ed.] 


[R.  2-169]  \^Soldiei's'  Orders 

Kingstown  January  24,  177^ 

Please  to  pay  to  Samuel  Peirson  or  Order  all  the  pay  due  to 
me  for  my  Rations  as  an  Adj‘  in  CoP  Drakes  Reg^  from  Sep^  8 
to  this  day  for  which  his  receipt  shall  be  your  Discharge  & 
you’ll  oblige  yours  &c 

pr.  NatlP  Bacheller 

[Thomas  Severance,  of  the  First  Regiment,  orders  what  is 
due  him  to  be  paid  to  John  Nicolle.  Witnesses,  Jona.  Blake 
and  Samuel  Favour. 

Christopher  Challis,  of  the  Second  Regiment,  orders  his 
wages  to  be  paid  to  same.  Witness,  Jeremiah  Graves. — 
Ed.] 


[R.  2-173]  of  Sarah  Hobart^  ^797 

[In  a petition,  dated  Kingston,  November  20,  1797,  Sarah 
Hobart,  “ late  widow  of  Col  Windborn  Adams,”  who  was 
killed  at  Stillwater,  September  19,  1777,  asked  to  have  some 
interest,  which  she  claimed  to  be  due  her,  allowed  and  paid. 
—Ed.] 


[5~255]  \_Rclative  to  the  j\/il7tia,  iy84.~\ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  the  HoiP’®  Executive 
Council  of  the  State  of  New  hampshire — your  Petitioners 
Humbly  Shew — 

That  the  Legaslative  of  this  State  at  their  Last  Session 
Thought  Proper  to  take  off  from  the  Seventh  Regiment  of  mi- 
litia in  this  State  (Commonly  Called  Kingstown  Regiment)  the 
Southwesterly  part  thereof  (viz)  Salem,  Plaistow,  Hampstead, 
Atkinson,  & Sandown,  and  Erect  them  into  a Distinct  and  Sep- 
errate  Regiment,  and  have  added  to  the  other  Part  of  Said 


346 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Seventh  Regiment  the  Town  of  South  Hampton  taken  from 
the  third  Regiment,  That  in  aranging  the  Said  Regiments 
the  South  westerly^  Regiment  altho’  the  youngest  part  of 
Said  Seventh  Regiment  are  by  Some  mistake  allowed  the 
Rank  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  while  the  oldest  Part  of  the 
Said  Seventh  Regiment  is  Reduced  to  the  Twentieth,  Your 
Petitioners  are  of  oppinion  the  Said  arrangment  was  made  in 
haste  and  without  properly  Considering  of  die  Same,  and  make 
no  Doubt  that  when  the  matter  is  Properly  Laid  before  the 
Legislature  at  their  Next  Session  that  the  mistake  will  be  Rec- 
tified, We  therefore  Pray  your  Excellency  and  Llonours  to  Pos- 
pone  the  giving  out  any  military  Commitions  in  Either  of  Said 
Regiments  till  after  the  next  meeting  of  the  Legislature  when 
we  Expect  the  mistake  will  be  amended  or  otherwise  we  are 
apprehensive  Very  great  Difficulties  will  Ensue — and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  Ever  Pray  &c. 

Kingstown  Nov^ 


John  French 
John  CleffarD  fifiel 
Peter  Fifield 
William  Sanborn 
Peter  Sanborn 
Peter  Sanborn  juffi 
Jacob  Hook 
John  Hunton 
Abraham  French 
Jon'^  Blake 
John  Eastman 
Amos  Gale 
Thomas  Elkins 
Joseph  Woodman 
John  Judkins 
Joseph  Judkins 
David  Sanborn 
Henry  Judkins 
Ebenezer  Lang 
Ebenezer  Griffing 
Ebeffi  Stevens 
John  Lad 
Ebeneser  proctere 
Daniel  Colcord 
Moses  Huntoon 
Jacob  Foot 
Nathaniel  garland 
Joseph  Tucker 
William  Patten 


Joseph  Calef  Ju 
Joseph  Calf 
Jacob  Webster 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Samuel  Favour 
Nathaniel  Darbon 
Benjamin  Webs‘  Sul 
laway 

Calab  Sever 
Stephen  Stuart 
Jonathan  Collins 
Jonathan  Severance 
John  Davis 
Daniel  Qiiimby 
Samuel  Huse 
Phines  Davis 
Stephn  Badger 
John  Tucker 
Aaron  Quimby 
Samuel  Quimby 
Benjamin  Qiiimby 
David  Qiiimby 
Joseph  Williams 
Peter  Sweat 
Isrel  Dimond 
Enos  Colbey 
Hezekiah  Blake 
Elias  Buriel 
Nathanael  Morrill 


Richard  Collins 
Samuel  Sargent 
moses  Woodman 
Dudly  Kinrick 
Jonathan  French  4 
Jonathan  French 
Juner 

Jethro  Sanborn 
Thomas  Page 
Jedediah  Philbrick 
Peter  Elkins 
Joseph  Elkins 
Elisha  Bachelder 
David  Tilton 
Humphry  Hook 
Jonathan  Heath 
Israel  Hook 
Jonathan  french 
Jonathan  french  3*''^ 
Caleb  Towle 
James  Towle 
John  Kent 
Henery  Dearbon 
Reuben  True  Jr 
Daniel  True 
Seth.  Bartlett 
George  Bartlett 
Jeremiah  Bean 
Jonathan  Sanborn 


KINGSTON. 


347 


John  Singleton 
John  Procter 
John  Calef 
Aaron  young 
Caleb  judkins 
Will"'  Sweat 
Aaron  H unton 
Benj^  Cooper 
Jonathan  sanborn 
Junr 

John  quemby  San- 
born 

Samuel  Stevens  3*^ 
Nathan  Sweat 
Solomon  Wheeler 


Henry  Morrill 
Israel  Dimond  juner 
Samuel  Plummer 
David  danders 
Jonathan  Jones 
Samuel  Eastmen 
Benjamen  Eastman 
Jabez  Eaton 
Joseph  true  Eaton 
Nathaniel  Brown 
Stephen  Eastmen 
Asa  danders 
Benjamin  Collins 
Juer 

John  Challis 


Jonathan  Sanborn 
juiE 

Peter  Emerson 
Phinehas  Bachalder 
Reuben  True 
Jon''  Procter 
Jeremiah  Elkins 
Thomas  Elkins 
Henery  french 
Joseph  Homan 
Samuel  Calef 
Isaac  Cledbrd 
Caleb  long 
Ebenezer  Stevens  3*''^ 
Peter  Abbot 


[5-256]  S^Another  co7tcerning  Militia^ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  Con- 
vened at  Concord  the  9^''  day  of  Feb^  i7^5* 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  humbly  shew  that  in  the  last 
session  of  the  General  Assembly,  among  other  alterations  and 
arrangements  of  the  regiments  of  Militia  in  this  State,  they 
thought  proper  to  take  od'  theTowm  of  Southhampton  from  the 
Third  Regiment  commonly  called  Plampton  Regiment,  and 
annex  it  to  the  seventh  commonly  called  Kingstown  Regiment, 
and  then  to  devide  the  last  mentioned  regiment  into  Two  sep- 
erate  & Distinct  regiments  ; that  with  great  Diderance  to  the 
opinion  of  the  Legislature  your  petitioners  humbly  conceive, 
that  the  devision  of  said  regiment  might  be  made  in  a diderent 
manner  to  more  advantage,  and  beg  leave  to  request  that  it 
may  be  taken  up  again  and  altered  if  it  shall  seem  proper 
to  your  Honours — that  in  giving  Rank  to  the  said  two  Reg** 
the  southwesterly  regiment,  by  much  the  youngest  part  of 
the  said  Seventh  Regiment,  is  allowed  the  Rank  of  the  Sev- 
enth Regiment,  while  the  Northeasterly  regiment  by  much  the 
oldest  part  of  said  seventh  Regiment,  is  reduced  to  the  twen- 
tieth— that  the  Town  of  Kingstown  is  the  drst  Chartered  town 
in  the  State,  andi  was  drst  settled  after  the  four  old  towns,  as 
they  are  called,  viz  Portsmouth,  Dover,  Hampton,  & Exeter; 
and  your  petitioners  can  conceive  of  no  good  reason  why  the 
said  town,  togather  with  the  two  parishes  thereof  viz  East 
Kingston  & Hawke  which  make  up  the  greatest  part  of  the 
said  Northeast  regiment,  should  be  degraded  from  their  former 
rank  to  which  they  are  so  Justly  intitled  by  age,  and  which  they 


348 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


have  not  forfeited  by  any  misconduct  as  they  humbly  Con- 
ceive.— 

That  at  the  time  the  arrangement  was  made,  we  are  informed 
that  the  two  Representatives  from  the  said  Northeasterly  regi- 
ment were  both  necessarily  absent  from  Court,  and  so  had  not 
an  opportunity  of  laying  the  matter  projDerly  before  them, 
which  we  conceive  is  the  reason  that  the  arrangement  passed 
as  it  did,  as  we  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  the  wisdom  & jus- 
tice of  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  than  to  suppose  that  it  would 
have  been  passed  in  the  manner  it  was,  had  the  matter  been 
properly  laid  before  them  ; — 

We  therefore  pray  that  your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to  take 
the  matter  of  this  petition  into  your  wise  Consideration,  and  if 
it  shall  seem  to  you  proper,  make  some  alteration  in  the  lines 
Deciding  the  said  former  Regiment ; And  that  you  will  be 
pleased  to  restore  to  the  Northeasterly  regiment  their  former 
rank  of  the  seventh  regiment,  to  which  we  humbly  conceive 
they  are  justly  intitled  ; And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
will  ever  pray  &c 


Josiah  Bartlett 
Thomas  Elkins 
John  Hunton 
Will'"  Henderson 
Moses  Huntoon 
Ebenezer  Giffing 
Joseph  Tucker 
John  Lad 
John  Singleton 
Daniel  Colcord 
William  Clifford 
Sam^^  Sanborn 
Jo®  Williams 
Gideon  George 
John  Wheeler 


Philip  Tilton 
Andrew  Greeley 
Enoch  Greeley 
Jeames  gale 
Natff  Greeley 
william  Smith 
John  Sanborn 
Jonathan  Clough 
John  Emons 
Benjamin  Thomp- 
son 

Ebenezer  Fi  field 
Richard  Smith 
Nathan  Bachellor 
Caleb  Webster 


Thomas  Elkins  Junr  Nath'  Bachellor 
Henrv  French  Currier 


Jon^  Proctor 
Joshua  Hill 
Will*"  Sweat 
James  Carruth 
Samuel  Fifield 
Francis  Hubbard 
Jacob  Foot 
Jacob  Hook 
Benjamin  Stevens 
Samuel  Calef 
Eli  Hunton 


Malach  Davis 
Andrew  mace 
Jeremiah  Currier 
Abner  Morss 
Ezra  Currier 
Jacob  Gale 
Henry  Gale 
Jacob  Rowell 
Philip  Morill 
John  Sam  born 
William  Patten 


Jabez  Eaton 
Benjaman  Eastman 
Samuel  Plummer 
Samuel  Eastman 
Samuel  Sargent 
Nathan  Jones 
Jonathan  jones 
Asa  flanders 
Stephen  Eastmen 
Joseph  true  Eaton 
Nathaniel  Brown 
Elias  Burisel 
Henry  Morrill 
Nathanael  Morrill 
Willum  Gorg 
Hezekiah  Blake 
John  Chalies 
Joseph  Colins  Juner 
Edward  Brown 
Jonathan  Blake 
Israel  Dimond 
Israel  Dimond  Juner 
Peter  Sweat 
Jonathan  Houlton 
Enos  Colbey 
Samuel  fellows 
Benjamin  Collins 
Juner 


KINGSTON. 


349 


Isaac  Clifford 
Aaronhuntoon 
Sam^  Grilling 
Ebeneser  proctor 
Stephan  Huntoon 
John  Calef  3 
Gilman  Gale 
Benjamin  Loverin 
William  Proctor 
Charles  Chase 
Nathannel  Calfe 
John  George 
Jon*^  Blake 
Nathan  Sweat 
John  Proctor 
John  Calef 
Benjamin  Stevens 
junr 

Henry  Judkins 
Joseph  Judkins 
Joshua  Huntoon 
Sam  french 
Edward  Greeley 
John  Cleffbrd  fifield 
Abraham  French 
John  Judkins 
Richard  Sleeper 
Joseph  Woodman 
Peter  Sanborn 
Benjamin  Sleeper 
Benjamin  Sleeper 
Junr 

Rezia  Beede 
Daniel  Bacheller 
Benjamin  Magoon 
Simon  Magoon 
Daniel  Smith 
Daniel  Smith  Junr 
William  Sanborn 
Benjamin  Sanborn 
Noah  Sanborn 
Peter  Fifield 
Amos  Judkins 
Robert  S.  French 
Jacob  Ordway 
David  Tilton 
Richard  Tilton 


Peter  Abbot 
Nathaniel  Darbon 
Beniemen  Webster 
Jacob  Webster 
Natha^^  Fellows 
Ephr'"  Severance 
Stephen  Badger 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Samuel  Severance 
Edward  Sleeper 
Jonathan  Sleeper 
William  Collins 
Phinias  Davis 
John  Sleeper 
John  Stevens 
Samuell  Favour 
Samuel  Huse 
John  Severance 
Jonathan  Severance 
Jonath  Severance ju 
John  Davis 
Daniel  Quimby 
Jonathan  Collins 
Bartholomew  winslo 
Ephraim  winslo 
William  Sleeper 
willam  Challis 
Jacob  Peaslee 
Daniel  wodley 
Greely  Sillaway 
Jem  Webster 
benjamin  hubbard 
Thomas  Sever 
elijah  Sever 
Elisha  Sever 
Gideon  Webster 
Amos  Burman 
James  Noyes 
Jonathan  Pollard 
Calab  Sever 
Philip  Davis 
Webster  Davis 
Benj"  Webster  Sulla- 
way 

Thomas  Severance 
Isaac  Pollard 
NatlP^'  fianders 


John  Sweat 
Samuel  Kinrick 
Joseph  willams 
Samuel  moulten 
Josiah  Tuxbury 
Sanborn  Blake 
Richard  Collans 
Stephen  Barnard 
willam  Busel 
Moses  Busel 
Aaron  Quimby 
Elisha  Quimby 
Samuel  Qiiimby 
Daniel  Qiiimby 
Paul  Qiiimby 
Dudlv  kindrck 
Benjamin  kindreck 
Benjamin  Page 
Joseph  fellows 
Jonathan  fellows 
Israel  FI 00k 
John  Kent 
Jeremiah  Elkins 
Reuben  Tracy 
Henery  Darborn 
Henery  darborn 
Juner 

John  kent  Juner 
Daniel  Page 
Daniel  True 
joseph  Homan  Sold- 
ger 

Jonathan  french 
Juner 

JonatlP  french  the 
forth 

Jonathan  Sanborn 
Jim*’ 

Peter  Emerson 
David  Bachelor 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
John  Sanborn 
Enoch  Sanborn 
Jethro  Sanborn 
Obadiah  Sanborn 
Jer,  Towle 
James  Towle 


350 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Josiah  Tilton 
Eliphalet  Webster 
David  Gordon 
Trustuin  saborn 
Ichabod  Colby 
Thomas  Challis 
moses  Greeley 
Jonathan  Greeley  jr 
moses  chandler 
John  true 
John  morill 
John  Tappan 
James  Tappan 
Josiah  Bachelder 
Benja.  Remick 
Daniel  Tilton 
Nathaniel  Tilton 
Humphrey  Flood 


thomas  Colby 
John  Stevens  iu 
Thomas  Bootman 
Henery  Hunt 
Nehemiah  Hunt 
abner  Hunt 
Moses  Hunt 
Stephen  Stuart 
Sam^^  Stuart 
Moses  Welsh 
Aaron  Welsh 
Stephen  Sturt 
Joseph  w^ellch 
David  Quimby 
Neh  Sleeper 
Ezek  Challis 
Moriss  w hitter 
Jacob  Eastmen 


Jedidiah  philbrk 
Gideon  Sawyer 
James  Sawyer 
Reuben  Sawyer 
Joseph  Elkins 
George  Bartlett 
Isaac  Bartlett 
Jonathan  Heath 
Tho®  Page 
Simon  Page 
Jonathan  french 
Jonathan  F rench  the  3 
Humphry  Hook 
Humphry  Hook  jun' 
Sam'^  waite 
Caleb  Towle 
David  Flanders 


[S“257]  \_CertiJicate  of  Nails  made  in  //pz.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss 

Kingstown  OcP  3^  1791 

This  may  Certifie  that  it  appears  to  us  the  subscribers  That 
John  Phillbrick  of  this  Town  has  Really  & Bonafidely  made  in 
his  black  smiths  shop  in  said  Town  since  the  seventh  Day  of 
February  i7^9  Hundred  & Nine  Thousand  well  wrought 
tenpenny  Nails  & also  Twenty  eight  Thousand  & eight  Hun- 
dred sixpenny  Nails 

Abraham  French  | Selectmen  of 
Simmons  Secombe  j Kingstown 

Kingstown  ocf  3*^  i79^  This  may  Certifie  that  I have  no 
Doubt  but  that  the  said  Philbrick  Really  & bonafide  made  the 
Nails  mentioned  in  the  Above  Certificate — 

Simmons  Secombe  Justice  of  peace 

Oct°  7 1791 

Received  an  Order  on  the  Treasurer  for  five  pounds 

John  Philbrick 


LANCASTER. 


351 


LANCASTER. 

This  township  was  granted  July  5,  1763,  to  David  Page 
and  others,  and  named  for  a town  in  Massachusetts.  The 
following  September,  David  Page,  Jr.,  and  Emmons  Stock- 
well  cut  a path  through  from  Haverhill  to  the  township, 
built  a camp,  and  wintered  there  ; and  in  1764,  the  senior 
Page  and  his  family,  with  Edwards  Bucknam,  and  others, 
moved  in  and  commenced  settlements.  The  conditions  of 
the  grant,  however,  were  not  fully  complied  with,  and  on 
the  20th  of  September,  1769,  an  extension  was  granted. 
Indian  depredations  during  the  Revolutionary  war  caused 
most  of  the  inhabitants  to  leave  : others  came  when  peace 
was  restored,  so  that  the  town  contained  twenty-four  fami- 
lies in  1787. 

By  an  act  approved  June  22,  1819,  the  tract  of  land  known 
as  Barker’s  Location  was  annexed  to  Lancaster.  This  was 
a tract  of  3,020  acres,  which  was  granted  to  Capt.  Joshua 
Barker,  Oct.  21,  1773,  for  service  in  the  French  war. 

The  farm  of  E.  Winchester  was  severed  from  Stark  and 
annexed  to  this  town  Dec.  4,  1840. 

Lancaster  was  still  further  enlarged  by  the  annexation  of 
a portion  of  Kilkenny,  Dec.  15,  1842,  It  is  now  one  of  the 
most  flourishing  towns  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 


[6-6]  \_Petition  of  David  Page  for  more  La7td^  777^.] 
Province  of  New  Plampsh  : 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General, 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  & to  the  Honble  Plis  Maj- 
esty’s Council  of  said  Province — 

That  your  petitioner  having  been  at  great  trouble  & Expence 
in  first  attempting  & since  prosecuting  the  settlements  at  Upper 
Coho’os  on  Connecticut  River  which  then  was  forty  Miles  dis- 
tant from  any  other  settlement,  and  that  with  incredible  fatigue 
he  has  often  travelled  that  wilderness  Country  back  & forth  to 
bring  on  his  own  with  several  other  Familys  having  five  of  his 
own  Children  married  & settled  about  him  who  have  made 
considerable  progress  — besides  frequently  assisting  others  to 
explore  the  New  Roads — by  which  means  his  small  stock  & 
substance  is  almost  exhausted  & himself  impoverished  in  his 
old  Age — He  prays  your  Excellency  & Honors  Consideration 


352 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


that  for  his  Assistance  & Releif  in  his  present  Difficultys — he 
may  be  favourd  with  a Grant  of  some  vacant  Tract  of  Land  if 
to  be  found  in  that  part  of  the  Country,  as  to  Your  Excellency 
& Honours  may  seem  meet,  and  your  petitioner  as  in  Duty 
bound  will  ever  pray,  &c.  &c. 

David  page 

Portsmouth  22*^  Jan  7 i773 — 


[6-534]  \_Relative  to  Representative^  7775.] 

To  the  Honarabel  Provincial  Congress  conveaned  at  Exeter 
Dec.  20,  A D 1775. — 

Respected  Gentlemen — we  would  take  this  opportunity  to 
inform  your  Honorable  House  That  the  nine  Towns  in  the  up- 
per Cohos  have  not  complied  with  the  precept  of  the  last  Con- 
gress issued  to  them  for  the  election  of  a Representation  the 
reasons  of  which  conduct  are  these — first,  the  neady  circum- 
stances of  the  peple  render  it  impossible  for  them  to  be  at  the 
expence  of  supporting  one 

2 the  distance  of  the  inhabitance  and  difficulty  of  communa- 
cation  is  so  greate  that  it  prevented  a general  attendance  in  the 
meeting  for  to  chuse  a representative  we  write  to  your  honor- 
able house  as  individuals  but  at  the  same  time  as  being  well 
acquainted  with  the  minds  of  the  people  it  is  their  universal 
desire  not  to  be  taxed  to  defray  aney  Expence  of  delegates 
maintaing  this  principel  that  their  ought  to  be  no  taxation 
without  representation  we  are  with  the  highest  respect  for  your 
house  much  respected  Gentlemen  your  most  obedient  humble 
servants  -n.  -j-d  ) Selectmen  for  The 

° ) town  ot  Lancarster 


Lancarstar  Dec^  14^^  1775 


T -o  ) Select  men  for  The 
ames  Brown  > , r o..  j 

) town  ot  Stratford 


Josiah  Walker 


inhabitant  of  Stratford — 


[^“7]  [^Return  of  Ratable  Polls^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Grafton  ss  : — 

Lancaster,  Dec™  2*^  ^7^3 

The  Number  of  all  the  male  Poles  from  twenty  one  years  old 


LANCASTER. 


353 


and  upwards  in  the  town  of  Lancaster  that  pays  taxes  for  them- 
selves— 

Number — lo — men  which  is  the  exact  Number  taken  by  us 

Edw^®  Bucknam  ] Select 
Emmons  Stockwell  J men 

Northumberland  2^  Dec’’  1783 


Then  the  above  named  Edwards  Bucknam  & Emmons  Stok- 
well  personally  appearing  made  Oath  to  the  above  Account 

Before  me — Jer^’  Eames  Justic  Peace 


[6-S]  \_Petitio?i  of  Col.  Bucknam  for  the.  Grant  of  a Ferry 

1784.'] 

To  the  HoiP^®  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire 

The  Petition  of  Edwards  Bucknam  of  Lancaster  in  the 
County  of  Grafton  in  vSaid  State  Humbly  Sheweth  that  there 
are  Catteracts  or  falls  in  the  River  Connecticut  adjoining 
Northumberland  in  Said  County  convenient  for  Building  Mills 
and  for  keeping  a ferry  Boat 

Your  Petitioner  is  Now'  Actually  erecting  a Set  of  Mills  both 
for  Sawing  and  Grinding  on  the  Said  falls 

Therefore  prays  that  the  Hon'’^®  Court  w'ould  be  pleased  to 
Grant  and  Convey  unto  him  his  heirs  and  Assigns  the  privi- 
ledge  of  using  and  improving  the  Earth  and  waters  betw'een  the 
Eastwardly  and  Westwardly  Banks  of  Said  River  in  width  ; 
and  in  length  the  Distance  of  one  Mile  each  way  from  the  cen- 
ter of  Said  falls 

And  your  Petitioner  will  pray 

Edw"*^®  Bucknam 

Lancaster  oc*  8^^  1784 

[The  request  in  foregoing  petition  was  granted  in  1786. 

—Ed.] 


[6-9]  \_Petitio7i  for  Authority  to  tax  No7i- Residents.,  I7^7'\ 

To  the  Honourable  the  senate  and  the  HoiP^®  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  General  Assembly  convened  on  the  second 
Wednesday  in  September  A,  D,  1787 — 

The  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Lancaster  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  humbly  Sheweth 

That  the  inhabitants  of  said  Town  labour  under  many  and 

25 


354 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


great  inconveniances,  and  without  that  succour  and  releif  which 
every  infant  Country  expects  from  the  Government  to  which 
she  ow’es  her  allegiance,  they  must  remain  in  but  very  indigant 
circumstances  ; and  the  state  not  receive  that  emolument,  that  it 
might  justly  expect  from  a Country  so  fertile  as  this,  when  prop- 
erly peopled.  Nothing  more  effectually  hinders  the  emigra- 
tion of  inhabitants  to  this  part  of  the  state,  than  the  badness  of 
our  roads,  and  the  want  of  a conveniant  place  to  worship  that 
being,  to  whom  all  owe  their  existance.  The  formation  of  the 
town  being  very  peculiar,  on  account  of  marshes  creeks  and 
large  streams  and  the  number  of  inhabitants  being  but  very 
small ; consequantly  the  expence  of  making  and  mending 
roads,  building  bridges  meeting  house  &c  must  be  very  great — 

One  large  stream,  known  by  the  name  of  Israels  river,  is  so 
formidable  where  it  must  be  bridged,  to  accomodate  the  travel 
up  and  down  Connecticut  river  and  likewise  the  travel  to  and 
from  Portsmouth,  (our  most  advantageous  port)  that  it  must 
cost,  at  a moderate  Computation  two  hundred  pounds.  The 
inhabitants  have  solicited  the  nonresidant  land  owners,  for  as- 
sistance (many  of  whom  live  out  of  the  state,)  but  they  have 
entirely  refused, — 

Your  petitioners  are  therefore,  necessitated  to  pray  your  hon- 
ours to  pass  an  act  empowering  the  selectmen  of  said  Lancaster 
to  levey,  and  Collect  a tax  of  three  pence  on  each  acre  of  land 
(Publick  Rights  excepted)  for  the  purpose  of  making  roads 
building  bridges  meeting  house  &c,  &c.  and  a continuation  of 
one  penny  on  the  acre,  annually  for  the  term  of  five  Years,  to 
be  appropriated  to  the  aforesaid  purposes.  And  that  the  prayer 
of  your  petitioners  be  granted,  or  such  assistance  or  directions 
be  given,  as  Your  honours  may  see  fit ; your  Petitioners  as  in 
duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Lancaster  y®  4^^  September  17S7 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  State  of  New  hampshire  (humbly  Sheweth)  The  In- 
habitants of  A Place  Called  Uper  Coos  That  they  began  Setel- 
ment  at  that  Place  mor  than  twentithree  Years  ago  and  Ever 
Since  have  Continued  their  Setelment  through  many  Dificulties 


per  ore 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted. — Ed.] 


[6-10]  S^Petltio7t  relative  to  Roads^ 


LANCASTER. 


355 


Especialy  on  account  of  the  Badness  of  the  Roads  through  Lit- 
tleton and  Dalton  which  have  never  been  properly  Cleared  nor 
bridged  by  which  means  wagons  or  Sleighs  pass  with  the 
greatest  Danger  and  never  more  than  half  a Load  which  Sub- 
jects the  Inhabitants  of  Said  Coos  to  very  Large  Expence  in 
transporting  necessary  foreign  articles  and  others  in  Removing 
with  their  famileys  and  Efects  from  Connecticut  Massachuesetts 
and  the  Easterly  part  of  New-Hampshire  to  the  Same  Dificul- 
ties  which  very  much  Impedes  & hinders  the  Setelment  of  the 
Towns  on  Connecticut  River  &c  Lying  above  S*^  Littleton  & 
Dalton  Your  Petitioners  beg  Leave  to  farther  Sugjest  that  the 
Townships  of  Littleton  and  Dalton  being  owned  by  only  a few 
Gentelmen  and  the  Towns  not  Vested  with  Power  nor  the  In- 
habitants of  ability  to  Lay  out  Clear  bridge  and  ISIake  Passable 
Said  Road  through  which  Your  Petitioners  must  Pass  on  any 
Business  belonging  to  the  Probate,  or  County  Matters,  Where- 
fore your  Petitioners  Pray  Your  Honors  to  take  their  Case  into 
Your  wise  Consideration  and  order  that  the  Road  be  made  Pas- 
able  and  keept  in  good  Repair  through  Said  Towns  of  Littilton 
& Dalton  to  the  acceptance  a Commitee  to  be  appointed  for  that 
Purpose  or  by  Some  other  way  as  Your  Honors  Shall  See  fit 
and  Your  Petitioners  Will  Ever  Pray 

May  1788 

Inhabitants  of  Lancaster 


Jonas  Wilder 
Aamasa  Grout 
Jonas  Baker 
Joseph  Brackett 
Edw^®  Bucknam 
Phinehas  Hodgin 

Francis  Willson 
John  Weeks 
Abijah  Darby 
Walter  Philbrook 
Samuel  Johnson 
Hopestill  Jenison 

David  Page 
Emons  Stockwell 
Ephraim  Griggs 
WilP^  Johnson 
Jonathan  Hartwell 

Northumberland 

Jer^  Eames  Jifi 
Thos  Eames 
Joseph  Peverly 

Abner  osgood 
J.  Whipple 
Daniel  Spaulding 

Abel  Bennett 
thomas  Burnside 
James  Burnside 

Stratford 

Hez'  Fuller 
David  Jnoson 
Heth  Baldwin 
Elijah  Hinman 
Joshua  Lamken 

Archippus  Blodget 
Jabez  Baldwin 
Elijah  Blodget 
Oliver  Lamkin 
James  Curtiss 

Josiah  Blodget 
James  Brown 
Nucomb  Blodget 
Benj"  Strong 
William  Curtiss 

John  Cole 

Piercy 
Caleb  Smith 

356  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[6-1 1 ] \_Relative  to  the  Formation  of  Coos  Coiinty^  lygoC^ 


To  the  Honourable  senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the 
state  of  Newhampshire  to  be  convened  a Concord  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  Jan^  next, 


The  petition  of  the  select  Men  of  the  towns  of  Lancaster 
Northumberland  and  Stratford,  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  respect- 
ive towns.  Humbly  Sheweth  ; That  our  located  situation  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  state  is  such,  that  it  will  be  perticularly 
beneficial  for  us,  to  have  Conway  and  adjacent  towns  annexed 
to  us,  in  the  formation  of  the  northerly  County  in  s*^  state,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  occupancy  and  improvement  of  our  most 
advantageous  road  to  seaport,  but  in  order  to  promote  emi- 
grants, and  agriculture  in  this  fertile  & healthy  territory  ; the 
promotion  of  which,  we  humbly  conceive  will  be  of  publick 
utility  and  the  state  to  which  we  owe  our  allegiance,  will  re- 
ceive emolument  in  proportion  to  the  opulency  of  this  part  of 
the  state — And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pi-ay— 


Lancaster  Dec^  29*^  ^79® 


Edw^^®  Bucknam 
Emmons  Stockwell 
Francis  Willson 
Joseph  Peverly 
Jer’”  Fames 
Elijah  Hinman 
James  Brown 


Select  Men 
for  Northumberland 
Lancaster 
and 

Stratford 


[6-12]  S^Petition  for  a New  County^  iygiC\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Lancaster  in  the  County 
of  Grafton 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  Your  Petitioners  live  at  the  distance  of  near  sixty  miles 
from  the  nearest  shire  Town  in  this  County 

That  a very  considerable  part  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  part 
of  the  County  live  above  us  and  are  under  similar  disadvantages 
with  us. 

That  the  Roads  to  Haverhill  our  nearest  shire  Town  are  ex- 
ceeding bad  and  at  some  seasons  of  the  year  unpassable. 

Wherefore  we  your  petitioners  pray  that  we  may  be  seperated 
from  the  said  County  of  Grafton  and  made  a new  County  by  a 


LANCASTER. 


357 


line  drawn  from  Conecticut  River  between  the  Towns  of  Con- 
cord alias  Gunthwait  and  Littleton  and  on  Eastward  taking  in 
the  Towns  of  Conway  Eaton  &c  to  the  Province  line  so  call’d 
and  we  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Lancaster  Nov^  22*^*^  ^79^* 


Edw^®  Bucknam 
William  Bruce 
Stephen  Willson 
Jeremiah  Willcox 
Emmens  Stockwell 
Robert  Gotam 
Francis  Willson 
Joseph  Bruce 
Jonas  Wilder  junur 
Asaph  Darby 
Jonas  Baker 
Jonathan  Cram 
Edward  Spaulding 
WilP^  Moore 
Joseph  Brackett 
Ephraim  Wilder 


John  Weeks 
JoiP  Hartwell 
Nathan  Lovewell 
Joseph  Wilder 
Samuel  Johnson 
Dennis  Stanley 
Isaac  Darby 
Phinehas  Bruce 
Elisha  Wilder 
John  Rosbrook 
Ezra  Reves 
Benj^  Twombly 
Waiter  Philbrook 
Moses  Page 
John  Mackintire 
Abijah  Darby 


Bradfor  Sanderson 
Zadock  Samson 
Jonathan  ros 
Daniel  How 
David  Stockwell 
Daniel  Chany 
John  Wilder 
Jonas  Wilder 
Manassah  Wilder 
Charles  Rosbrook 
David  Page 
James  Twombly 
Coffin  Moore 
Phinehas  Hodgdon 
William  Johnson 


[Coos  county  was  formed  in  1803. — Ed.] 


[6-13]  \_Petitlon  to  have  the  Right  of  Ferries  vested  ht  the 

Town^  iyg2.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

Lancaster  y®  30^^  May  1792 

To  the  HoiP'®  Gen'  Court  to  be  holden  at  Dover  in  said  State 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  1792 — 

Humbly  Sheweth  the  Selectmen  of  Lancaster  in  behalf  of 
said  Town,  that  there  is  a necessity  for  keeping  ferries  a cross 
the  River  Connecticut  from  Lancaster  to  Guildhall  & Lunen- 
burgh  in  Vermont — They  therefore  pray  your  Honors  to  grant 
to  the  said  Town  of  Lancaster  the  exclusive  privilege  for  ever 
of  keeping  ferries  a cross  said  River  extending  so  far  as  said 
River  runs  through  said  Lancaster  And  your  Petitioners  will 
ever  pray — 

John  Weeks  ) o 1 

ik  Oi.  1 11  r Selectmen 

Emmons  Stockwell  j 

Lancaster  y®  12"^  Nov^  i79^ 

We  Certify  that  the  within  Petition  & order  of  Court  thereon 


358 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


has  been  posted  up  at  the  house  of  Col°  Jonas  Wilder  as  the 
most  Public  House  in  said  town  more  than  six  weeks 

John  Weeks  ] o i 

1 n r oelectmen 
Hmmens  btockwell  ) 

Jonas  Baker  Town  Clerk 

Jonas  Wilder 

Edw*^®  Bucknam 

Joseph  Brackett 

Joseph  Wilder 

[Not  granted. — Ed.] 


[6-14]  Petition  for  Authority  to  levy  a Special  Tax  for 

Road  purposes^ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  the  Honorable  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  to  Convene 
at  Exetor  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  Nov*^  Instant — 


The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Lancaster 
Humbly  Sheweth  that  about  four  years  past  the  Honorable 
Gen^  Court  Granted  a tax  on  all  the  lands  in  said  Lancaster 
public  Rights  excepted  for  the  purpose  of  rhaking  Roads 
Bridges  &c  in  said  Town  that  by  some  unfourseen  fattallity 
the  business  was  not  Accomplished  and  a considerable  part  of 
the  roads  through  said  Lancaster  to  our  nearest  seaport  and 
Shire  Town  is  yet  almost  impassable,  That  a Considerable  part 
of  the  Township  is  owned  by  Nonresidants  and  the  settlements 
very  Inconsiderable  in  said  Town  and  the  Roads  being  very 
lengthy  being  about  nine  Miles  on  Connecticutt  River  and  the 
Roads  leading  from  said  Connecticutt  River  Eastward  to  Dart- 
mouth almost  as  far  Distance  the  making  passable  said  Roads 
being  very  Chargable  and  Insuportable  to  the  Inhabitants ; 
therefore  your  Petitioners  pray  Your  Honours  to  order  that  a 
Tax  of  two  pence  per  acre  for  two  Years  may  be  Assessed  on 
all  the  lands  in  said  Town  and  that  a Committee  may  be  Ap- 
pointed to  lay  out  said  Tax  in  the  most  advantagious  maner  or 
grant  such  other  Releaf  in  the  premises  as  your  Honors  shall 
think  best — And  Your  Petitioners  as  In  Duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray— 


Lancaster  y®  12^^ 

Fortunatus  Eager 
John  Rosbrook  J^*^ 
Charles  Rosbrook 
Jonas  Wilder 
William  Bruce 


Nov'  1792 

Jonathan  Cram 
Titus  O Brown 
John  Holms 
Elisha  Wilder 
Phineas  Bruce 


John  Rosbrook 
Em  mens  Stock  well 
Joseph  Wilder 
Asahel  Biglow 
Nathan  Lovewell 


LANCASTER. 


359 


Benjamin  Orr 
David  Stockwell 
Moses  Page 
Dennis  Stanley 
W*"  Moore 


David  Page 
Abijah  Darby 
Joseph  Brackett 
Walter  Philbrook 
Jonas  Baker 


Edw^  Spaulding 
Will'"  Johnson 
Coffin  Moore 


£6-1 6]  \_Petition  of  Eleazer  Eosb?'ook  for  a Eerry^ 

State  of  New^  Hampshire — 

Lancaster  June  P*  1792 

To  the  Plon^  Gen^  Court  to  be  convened  at  Dover  in  said  State 
the  first  Wednesday  of  said  June — 

Humbly  Sheweth  Eleazer  Rosbrook — that  he  has  opened 
and  kept  a Ferry  across  Connecticutt  River  at  said  Lancaster 
for  several  Years  past  by  means  of  which  the  public  have  been 
considerably  benefited — that  for  and  during  the  time  which  he 
has  kept  said  ferry  it  has  been  rather  an  expence  to  him  than 
otherwise,  and  most  probably  no  great  advantage  can  arise 
thereby  for  some  time  yit  to  come,  though  it  may  be  profitable 
at  some  future  period — wherefore  he  prays  Your  Honors  to 
grant  him  his  Heirs  and  assigns  the  exclusive  priviledge  of 
keeping  a ferry  across  said  River  under  such  restrictions  and 
regulations  as  may  appear  proper  and  Your  Peti*"  will  ever 
pray— 

Eleazar  Rosbrook 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted. — Ed.] 


£6-17]  \^Petitio7i  for  Special  Pax  to  jnake  Roads^  7/pj.] 

The  Hon^^®  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 
The  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Lancaster  in  said  State  humbly 
•sheweth — 

That  the  said  town  of  Lancaster  is  such  that  the  public  Road 
leading  through  s*^  town  on  Connecticutt  River  is  upwards  of 
ten  Miles  in  Length  and  is  attended  with  many  Creeks  Valies 
and  Streems  that  leads  into  said  River,  where  Bridges  and 
Casways  are  needed  to  be  built,  and  the  Road  leading  through 
said  town  up  Israels  River  towards  Conway  is  attended  with 
the  like  Impediments  and  that  one  other  Road  is  much  wanted 
to  be  opened  through  the  Center  of  said  town  from  Connecti- 
cutt River  leading  a Corse  through  said  town  and  Whitefield 
and  on  to  Thornton  and  Plymouth  which  road  if  opened  would 


S6o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


shorten  the  Distance  from  Lancaster  to  Plymouth  about  thirty 
Miles  which  Road  will  in  all  probability  be  opened  in  said 
town. the  Ensuing  Year — The  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  being 
but  small  in  Numbers,  having  the  season  past  erected  a large 
meeting  house  and  are  loaded  with  great  Expences  for  the 
same,  their  Roads  &c  ; and  the  Major  part  of  the  proprietors 
and  land  owners  of  said  town  live  at  New  York  and  out  of  this 
State  and  are  unwilling  to  Assist  the  Inhabitants  of  said  town 
in  these  Burthensome  Matters  altho, — they  are  as  much  beni- 
fited  thereby  in  the  Rise  of  their  lands  as  the  Inhabitants  of 
said  town  Therefore  your  petitioners  pray  your  Honours  would 
make  a Grant  of  three  pence  on  each  and  every  Acre  of  land 
in  said  town  viz  one  penny  each  year  the  three  next  succeeding 
Years  and  appoint  a Committee  to  levy  and  Collect  the  same 
and  apply  it  in  opening  the  New  and  Repairing  the  other 
Roads  and  Bridges  in  said  Town — And  Your  petitioners  will 
ever  pray — 

December  y®  ^793 

Edw^®  Bucknam  \ Committee 
Emmons  Stockwell  > in  behalf  of 
Jonas  Baker  j the  Town 


[4-18] 

At  a Legal  Meeting  of  the  Voters  of  this  town  of  Lancaster 
held  this  22*^  Nov*"  1793 — 

Voted  to  petition  the  HoiT^®  GeY  Court  for  land  tax  to  re- 
pair the  roads  Bridges  &c  in  s^  Town — 

Voted  CoP  Edwards  Bucknam  Cap^  John  Weeks  and  Jonas 
Baker  Committee  to  make  out  a petition  to  the  Hon'^*®  Gen^ 
Court  for  the  above  purpose — 

Dec*'  21®*^  1793 — Met  agreable  to  adjournment  and  Voted  to 
chuse  a Committee  to  sign  the  petition  to  the  Hon’*^®  GeY  Court 
for  a land  tax  as  made  out  by  the  Corn*®®  chosen  for  that  pur- 
pose and  Chose  CoP  Ed*^®  Bucknam  Cap*  Emmons  Stockwell 
and  Jonas  Baker  for  s*^  Committee — Voted  Cof  Ed**®  Bucknam 
Ajant  for  the  Town  on  s'*  petition — 

A true  Coppy  from  the  Records  attest — 

Jonas  Baker  Town  Clerk 

[Capt.  John  Weeks  settled  in  Lancaster  in  lySy.  He  was 
the  father  of  Hon.  John  W.  Weeks,  who  commanded  a com- 
pany in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  brevetted  for  gallant  ser- 
vice at  Chippewa.  He  was  a member  of  the  state  senate 
in  1827  and  1828,  and  of  congress  in  1829  to  1831.  He 
died  in  1853. 


LANDAFF. 


361 


Emmons  Stockwell  was  one  of  the  first  settlers,  a sturdy 
old  hero,  who  refused  to  be  frightened  away  by  the  Indians, 
and  occupied  his  castle  in  that  frontier  town  during  the 
Revolutionary  war. — Ed.] 


LANDAFF. 

The  township  was  granted  Jan.  31,  1764,  to  James  Avery 
and  others,  who  failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions  of  the 
grant,  and  it  was  declared  by  the  governor  and  council  to 
be  forfeited. 

Jan.  19,  1770,  the  tract  was  granted  to  Dartmouth  col- 
lege, with  the  usual  conditions  and  reservations.  Settle- 
ments were  made  under  the  latter  grant  to  some  extent, 
roads  opened,  and  a mill  built  at  the  expense  of  the  college, 
and  on  the  nth  day  of  November,  1774,  the  town  was  in- 
corporated by  the  governor  and  council. 

After  the  Revolutionary  war  the  first  grantees  claimed 
that  their  alleged  forfeiture  was  not  legal,  and  maintained 
their  claim  : the  college  had  to  abandon  its  title  and  lose 
what  it  had  expended  in  making  settlements.  A com- 
pensation was  however  made  to  the  college  soon  after,  by 
the  grant,  Feb.  5,  1789,  of  a tract  of  land  containing  40,960 
acres  on  Connecticut  river. 

By  an  act  approved  July  2,  1845,  ^ tract  of  land  was  sev- 
ered from  Lincoln  and  annexed  to  this  town.  June  23, 
1859,  that  part  of  Landaff  lying  north-west  of  Ammo- 
noosuc  river  was  annexed  to  Lisbon. 

The  town  was  divided  July  20,  1876,  and  the  east  part 
incorporated  into  a town  by  the  name  of  Easton. 


[6-1]  \_To'w?i-]\Ieetnig  Proceedings^  ^777*] 

At  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabitance  of  the  Town  of  Lan- 
daff holden  at  the  House  of  mr  Joseph  Warner  in  s'^  Landaff 
on  the  Day  of  febuary  1777,  to  Consider  and  Determin  what 
they  will  Do  relitive  to  the  Letter  sent  to  them  by  the  Assem- 
blys  Commity  bearing  Date  Jenuary  io‘^  ^777  I^^  Answer  to 
which  Voted  that  this  town  Appoint  mr  Joseph  Warner  Cap* 
Nathaniel  Hovey  and  Leu*  Josiah  How  who  are  our  Commity 


362 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


of  Safety  to  act  In  our  behalf  In  treating  with  the  Assemblys 
Commity  and  that  our  Commity  do  not  enter  into  any 
measure  for  accomidation  with  Assemblys  Commity  but  In 
Conjunction  with  the  united  Commity  whose  meeting  now 
stands  Adjon'^  to  the  13**^  of  february  Instant  to  be  holden  at 
Lebanon  and  that  a Copy  of  this  Voat  be  transmited  to  the 
Assemblys  Commity  as  quick  as  may  be 

A true  Copy  of  the  original  minits  by  order  of  the  Com- 
mity— 

Joseph  WarneiA 

Natlf^  Hovey  V Selectmen 

Josiah  How  ) 

Test  NatH^  Hovey  Town  Clark 

To  the  honorable  Meshech  Weare  Esq*'  &c  Committee  from  the 
Assembly  at  Exeter. 

|[6-3]  \_Petition  for  an  Allowance  for  Services  in  the  War^ 

iy86.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Grafton — 

To  the  Honorable  the  general  Court  of  the  said  State,  to  be 
convened  at  Portsmouth  on  the  first  day  of  February  ADom. 
1786 — 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Landaff  in 
said  County,  humbly  sheweth  ; that  innumerable  & inexpres- 
sible were  the  difficulties  and  distresses  your  petitioners  suf- 
fered thro’  the  course  of  the  late  war  in  America  ; by  being 
situated  in  a large  extensive  uncultivated  Country  almost  desti- 
tute of  Inhabitants,  inviron’d  about  with  a barbarous,  cruel  & 
merciless  enimy,  we  were  undefended  and  utterly  unable  to  put 
ourselves  in  a warlike  state  of  defence  against  those  sanguinary 
Savages,  who  were  lying  in  ambush  to  kill,  burn,  lay  waste 
and  destroy  indiscriminately,  all  that  were  opposite  to  their 
vile  & inhuman  proceedings.  Being  thus  exposed  and  living 
in  constant  jeopard  of  our  lives,  we  were  frequently  alarm’d 
and  obliged  to  join  our  feeble  efforts  on  sudden  emergences  for 
the  immediate  preservation  of  our  lives  and  properties,  and 
were  at  great  expence  in  guarding,  scouting,  building  Forts  &c. 
for  which  service  we  have  never  received  any  recompence  or 
reward,  from  the  State.  Notwithstanding,  if  we  could  sup- 
pose ourselves  to  be  upon  an  equality  with  other  towns  in  this 
State,  and  that  we  had  done  no  more  than  our  just  proportion, 
we  should  rest  perfectly  easy  and  satisfied  with  the  benefits 
accruing  from  the  glorious  Conquest  obtained  by  the  loss  of 
immense  quantities  of  Blood  and  Treasure.  Altho’  our  Cir- 


LANDAFF. 


363 


cumstances  at  this  day  are  very  difficult  indeed  by  reason  of  the 
extreme  scarcity  of  Money  ; taxation  is  almost  an  insupportable 
burden,  nevertheless  your  petitioners  will  exert  every  Nerve, 
with  the  greatest  alacrity  for  the  due  observance  of  all  your 
laws  & regulations,  but  as  it  hath  been  a Custom  heretofore  to 
reward  those  that  have  done  service  or  expended  Money  in 
the  Common  cause  for  the  Defence  of  the  State,  we  take  en- 
couragement therefrom,  and  most  ardently  pray  your  honors  to 
take  our  Circumstances  under  your  wise  Consideration  and 
make  us  some  allowance  for  our  former  Services  as  set  forth 
in  this  petition,  or  otherwise  as  your  honors  shall  think  proper. 

And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

Landaff  Jan^  y®  25*^^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Grafton — 

To  the  Hon'^^®  the  Senate  & house  of  Representatives  to  be  con- 
vened at  Concord  on  Wednesday  the  fourth  day  of  June 
next — 

The  petition  of  Nathaniel  Hovey,  Jonathan  Blake,  John 
Clark,  Nathaniel  Webber,  James  Snow,  Jeremiah  Hutchins, 
Jacob  Hurd,  John  Cleaveland,  Henry  Hancock  and  John  Mer- 
rill in  behalf  of  themselves  & the  inhabitants  of  the  Towns  of 
Landaff  and  Bath  in  said  County,  humbly  shews — That  the 
difficulties  and  inconveniences  attending  the  said  Towns  being 
classed  with  Gunthwait,  Lymon,  & Littleton  to  chnse  a Repre- 
sentative, are  numerous  and  almost  insuperable,  on  account  of 
the  great  distance  the  people  have  to  travel,  (more  especially 
those  that  live  in  the  extreme  parts  of  said  Towns,)  to  attend 
the  meetings  held  for  that  purpose,  at  a season  of  the  year 
when  the  Roads  are  generally  extreme  bad  and  the  Rivers  open 
or  about  breaking  up,  so  that  it  is  very  dangerous  and  some- 
times almost  impossible  to  pass  over  them  For  which  reasons 
and  others  that  might  be  ennumerated,  the  choice  of  our  Rep- 
resentatives heretofore  has  been  very  unequal  and  commonly 
made  by  a small  number.  The  situation  of  the  Contry  is  such 
& the  people  live  so  remote  from  each  other  that  they  never  can 
assemble  together  in  any  one  place  in  this  District  as  now 
formed,  without  much  fatigue  & difficulty  ; and  the  said  Towns 
of  Landaff  & Bath  having  at  least  one  hundred  & forty  one 
legal  voters  therein,  and  are  so  well  situated  to  form  a District 
that  might  be  attended  with  many  advantages,  and  the  people 


Selectmen 


[6-3]  \_Relative  to  Refi'esefitative  Class ^ iy88.~\ 


3^4 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


favoured  with  many  privileges  that  they  cannot  otherwise  enjoy  ; 
therefore  your  petitioners  most  ardently  entreat  your  honors  to 
take  the  premises  under  your  wise  consideration  and  grant  lib- 
erty for  the  inhabitants  of  said  Landaff  & Bath  to  send  a Rep- 
resentative to  the  general  Court  of  said  state,  and  that  the  meet- 
ings for  electing  one,  might  be  held  annually  at  the  dwelling 
house  of  Cap*  Jeremiah  Hutchins  in  said  Bath — or  otherwise 
as  you  may  think  proper  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray  &c — 

Landaft'  May  y®  20*^  1 78S — 

Nath*'  Hovey 
Jon^  Blake 
John  Clark 
Nath"  Webber 
James  Snow 
Jeremiah  Hutchins  1 
John  Cleaveland  ’ 

John  Merrill 
Henry  Hancock 


1 


Committee 
for  said 
Landaff. 


Committee 
for  said 
Bath. 


[R.  2-176]  \^Landaff  claims  Edward  Marden^  Soldier 
State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Hon°  General  Court  of  said  State  to  be  Convened  at 
Portsmouth  on  the  first  Day  of  Feb^  next  by  adjournment — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Landaff  humbly  sheweth — 
That  wdien  the  Requisition  for  soldiers  was  made  to  the  State 
said  Inhabitants  being  inform’d  that  they  ware  cal’d  on  to  fur- 
nish one  man  for  three  years  or  during  the  war  at  great  ex- 
pence hir’d  one  Edward  Mardin  then  lately  come  to  Town,  to 
serve  and  answer  for  their  Proportion  of  said  Requisition. — ■ 
That  through  some  mistake  said  Mardin  was  returned  for 
Northumberland,  without  the  knowledge  of  said  Mardin,  Lan- 
dafl',  or  Northumberland, — That  said  Mardin  was  never  an  In- 
habitant of  Northumberland.  * * * ^ 

Landaff  Jany  21®*  1786. — 

Joiff  Blake 
for  s"  Inhabitants — 

[The  town  presented  a sworn  statement  of  Marden’s,  cer- 
tifying that  he  was  hired  by  Landaff  and  paid  ;^30  ; was 
never  an  inhabitant  of  Northumberland.  The  committee 
reported  in  favor  of  Landaff,  which  was  adopted.  Harden 
served  in  Whitcomb’s  corps. — Ed.] 


LANDAFF. 


365 


[R.  2-180]  \_Relative  to  a Bunker  Hill  Soldier^  etcd^ 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 

General  Court  convened — 

Humbly  shews — James  Mitchell  of  Landaff  in  said  State, 
that  in  June  1775,  he  furnished  his  Brother  William  Mitchell, 
then  a soldier,  with  a valuable  Gun  and  some  other  articles  (to 
the  amount  of  four  pounds)  necessary  for  the  then  intended  ex- 
pedition against  the  British  Troops  in  Boston  which  gun  and 
other  articles  were  lost  at  the  Battle  at  Bunker  Hill,  where  the 
said  William  lost  his  Life — that  in  September  i777  hired 
one  Amos  Hastings,  and  in  July  1778  one  Stephen  Hall,  to  go 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States  for  him,  for  which  your 
petitioner  gave  them  about  eleven  pounds  as  a Bounty  expect- 
ing that  at  some  future  period  some  equitable  mode  would  be 
devised  for  reimbursing  those,  who  had  contributed  more  than 
their  proportion  in  defence  of  their  Country — for  all  which 
your  petitioner  has  received  no  kind  of  compensation — Your 
petitioner  begs  leave  further  to  shew,  that  in  September  1778, 
at  the  special  desire  of  Major  Henry  Moore,  then  a Collector 
of  Cattle  for  the  use  of  the  army,  he  purchased  thirteen  oxen 
and  gave  his  notes  for  the  same,  amounting  to  six  hundred  and 
sixty  five  pounds  payable  in  six  weeks  ; expecting  within  that 
time  to  receive  the  money  of  the  said  Moore  ; — that  he  was  put 
to  great  expence  in  keeping  and  driving  the  said  oxen,  and  was 
kept  out  of  the  money  so  long,  and  so  distressed  by  law  suits 
for  it,  that  your  petitioner  sustained  a loss  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  at  least,  and  was  obliged  to  sell  his  Farm  for  a sum 
much  below  its  value.  * ^ * 

Jany,  23'^  1794 

James  Mitchell 


[6-4]  \_Petitio?i  for  Authority  to  tax  Non-Residents^  ij8g.'\ 

To  the  Hon'^'®  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  convened — 

Humbly  shews  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Landaff  in  the  County  of  Grafton  and  State  aforesaid,  that  the 
Public  Highways  leading  through  said  Town  are  in  a very 
bad  condition,  and  in  many  places  almost  and  totally  impas- 
sible,— that  the  expence  of  making  altering  and  repairing  said 
Highways  will  be  large, — that  whatever  has  hitherto  been  done 
in  making  & repairing  Highways  in  said  Town  has  been  at  the 
expence  of  the  Inhabitants  & Residents  in  said  town,  without 
any  expence  to  Nonresidents — 

Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  your  Honors  to  pass  an  Act 


366 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


authorizing  the  raising  of  a Tax  of  three  cents  per  acre  on 
Resident  & Non-resident  Lands  in  said  Landaff  for  the  purpose 
of  making  altering  & repairing  highways  within  said  Town  & 
your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Landaff  June  179S — 


Eben*"  Eaton 
Benj  Currier 
David  Atwood 
Sargent  Currier 
Thos  Noys 
Jacob  Moody 
James  Snow 
Ephraim  Cushman 
Samuel  Noyes  Jun’’ 
Jereh  Martin 
James  Simonds 
Luke  Libby 
Alexander  Hodge 


John  Cogswell 
Natlf^  Rix 
Rich‘S  Clement 
Jon'^  Noyes 
Joseph  Morrill 
Jonathan  Clark 
Eph"^  Edwards 
Nathaniel  Noyes 
Jon'^  Poor 
Isaiah  Cross 
JoiP  Simonds 
Savory  Patee 
Jon^  Blake 


John  Clark  Jr 
Joseph  Jewett 
Simeon  Edwards 
Joshua  Belknap 
Birnsley  Edwards 
Sam^  Mann 
Jn®  Johnson 
Moses  Noyes 
Alexander  M'^Keen 
Jeremiah  Bowin 
Aaron  VVodley 
Day  Patee 
Peter  Carleton 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Nov.  29,  1798,  the  foregoing  petition 
was  granted.  Senate  concurred. — Ed.] 


[6-5] 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  to  be 

convened  at  Exeter  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  December  A.  D. 

1799  Most  Humbly  sheweth — 

That  the  selectmen  of  Bath  presented  a certificate  to  us  the 
undersigned  Selectmen  of  Landaff  purporting  that  there  was 
entered  on  their  valuation  for  the  vear  1799  more  than  one 
Plundred  & fifty  rateable  male  polls  of  twenty  one  years  of 
Age  and  upwards,  and  that  they  should  not  join  with  Landaff 
& Lincoln  in  sending  a representative  to  the  General  court  in 
future — therefore  your  petitioners  (at  the  request  of  the  inhabi- 
tants) of  Landaff'  most  humbly  pray  that  an  act  pass  that 
the  Towns  of  Landaff  Franconia  and  Lincoln  be  classed  to- 
gether for  the  purpose  of  sending  a representative  to  the  general 
court  in  future — and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray — 

Joseph  Morrill  J Selectmen 
Ezra  Chandler  >-  of 
Peter  Carlton  ) Landaft 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Dec.  27,  1799,  the  foregoing  request  was 
granted.  Landaff  was  classed  with  Franconia  and  Lincoln. 
—Ed.] 


LANGDON. 


367 


LANGDON. 


The  town  was  formed  from  territory  taken  from  the  towns 
of  Charlestown  and  Walpole,  and  incorporated  Jan.  1 1,  1787. 
It  was  named  in  honor  of  Hon.  John  Langdon,  at  that  time 
speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

Settlements  were  made  on  territory  now  in  this  town  by 
Seth  Walker  in  1773,  and  by  Nathaniel  Rice  and  Jonathan 
Willard  the  year  following.  Rev.  Abner  Kneeland,  who 
was  ordained  over  a Universalist  church  here  in  1805,  was 
one  of  the  leading  men  in  that  denomination  in  New  Eng- 
land for  some  years,  and  published  a periodical  devoted  to 
his  peculiar  tenets,  called  the  Boston  hivestigato7\  In  1795 
the  town  might  have  been  extended  to  Connecticut  river, 
but  it  refused,  by  vote,  to  accept  the  proffered  addition. 


[6-20]  \^Petition for  Authority  to  tax  JVo?i-Peside?zts^  iy8g.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  May  27*^^  ^7^9 — 

To  the  Hon^’®  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  Conveined 
at  Concord  June  4*^^  1789 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Langdon 
Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  petitioners  are  few  In  number  and  inhabit  a new 
Town  or  District  of  land  a considerable  part  of  which  Is  owned 
by  nonresident  proprietors  and  that  they  are  not  able  to  make 
the  necessary  public  Roads  and  Bridges  and  in  particularly  a 
Bridge  over  Cold  River  so  called  which  is  very  Rapid  and  in 
the  Spring  and  Fall  at  high  water  is  not  passible  and  the  Ex- 
pence of  build  the  Bridge  and  making  said  roads  exceeds  the 
ability  of  your  petitioners  They  therefore  most  Humbly  pray 
your  Honors  to  Impower  them  to  Leavy  a Tax  of  one  penny 
on  each  acre  of  the  non  resident  proprietors  Land  in  said  town 
for  the  purposes  aforesaid  or  grant  your  petitioners  such  other 
Relief  as  you  in  your  Wisdon  shall  think  Propper  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray — 


Langdon  May  27“'  17S9 

The  Committee  on  the  within  petition  Report  a Tax  of  one 


368 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


penny  be  laid  on  each  Acre  of  Land  in  said  Town  for  one  Year 
& they  have  leave  to  bring  in  a Bill  accordingly 

Nat  Rogers  for  the  Com 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  ii,  1789,  the  report  was  adopted. 
Senate  concurred. — Ed.] 


[6-21]  \_Petition  for  Special  Tax  to  build  a Meeting- House ^ 

m3-'] 

To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire to  be  holden  at  Concord  on  first  Wednesday  of  June 
Next — 

The  petition  of  the  Select  men  of  Langdon  Humbly  Shew- 
eth — that  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  said  town  are  aboute  to 
Build  a meeting  House  for  the  better  Conveannance  of  meet- 
ing for  publick  worship  &c  as  soon  as  thay  think  them  Selves 
in  a Sittuation  to  accomplish  it  and  Considering  that  there  is  in 
said  town  Considerable  Land  of  Non-residents  which  by  build- 
ing said  meeting  house  will  be  likely  to  be  more  Valueable, 
these  are  therefore  to  pray  your  Hounours  to  Grant  Liberty  for 
said  town  to  Tax  said  Lands  two  pence  on  Each  acre  which 
money  to  be  laid  out  toward  said  building  whenever  said  town 
shall  see  fit  to  build  said  house  or  otherways  Do  as  you  Hon- 
nours  in  your  wisdom  think  best  and  your  Petitioners  as  in 
Duty  bound  will  Ever  Pray 

James  Egerton  J Select  men 
Sam^  Prouty  >-  of 
John  Prentiss  j Langdon 

Langdon  May  27  i793 


[6-22]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  exte7iding  its  North  Line^ 

At  a Legal  Town  meetin  in  Langdon  the  third  Day  of  march 
1795  the  following  Vote  was  taken  for  extending  Langdon 
North  Line  to  the  River  Connecticut  thare  appeared  to  be 
thirty  three  Votes  for  extending  said  Line  to  said  River  and 
thirty  against  Extending  said  Line  to  said  River  at  A Legal 
town  meeting  in  Langdon  May  ^795’  Called  at  the  Requst 
of  a Number  of  Free  Holders  to  Know  the  mind  of  the  Town 
if  thay  Will  have  Langdon  North  Line  Extend  to  the  River 
Connecticut  acording  to  the  Vote  Recorded  at  our  Last  annual 
meeting  or  Not — thare  appeared  to  be  thirty  seven  Votes  Not 


LEBANON.  369 

to  Extending  said  Line  to  River  and  twenty  three  Votes  for 
extending  said  Line  to  said  River 

A Trew  Coppey  Record 

atest — James  Egerton  Town  Clark 

Langdon  May  13^^  ^795 

[The  town  of  Charlestown  had  given  its  consent  to  the 
annexation  of  that  portion  of  its  territory  lying  between 
Langdon  and  Connecticut  river  to  the  latter  town,  and  the 
inhabitants  residing  thereon  had  petitioned  to  be  thus  an- 
nexed (Vol.  XI,  p.  295).  Had  this  project  succeeded,  both 
towns  would  have  been  more  symmetrical,  and  Langdon 
would  have  had  a river  front  and  a railroad  within  its  bor- 
ders.— Ed.] 


LEBANON. 

The  township  was  granted  July  4,  1761,  to  Nehemiah 
Estabrook  and  59  others,  in  68  equal  shares,  with  the  usual 
reservations.  Some  of  the  grantees  were  from  Lebanon, 
Conn.,  and  the  town  was  named  for  their  old  home. 

The  first  settlements  were  made  by  William  Dana,  Silas 
Waterman,  William  Downer,  and  Nathaniel  Porter. 

Lebanon  was  one  of  the  towns  that  attempted  to  unite 
with  Vermont,  and  was  represented  in  the  convention  at 
Cornish,  April  5,  1781,  by  Col.  Elisha  Payne  and  Elihu 
Hyde.  Some  documents  relative  to  the  matter  may  be 
found  among  the  following  papers. 

This  was  the  first  town  settled  on  Connecticut  river  north 
of  Charlestown,  and  has  been  for  many  years  one  of  the 
leading  towns  in  that  section  in  wealth  and  population. 
Lead  and  iron  ore  were  found  here  many  years  ago,  and  a 
copper  mine,  more  recently  discovered,  is  now  being  devel- 
oped by  the  Mascoma  Mining  Company. 


[6-23]  \_Repo7't  of  Co77i7uittee  07t  Botmdaries^  l/dS.] 

Sir — 

With  Submission,  these  wait  upon  you  with  Respect,  and 
may  Serve 
26 


370 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


To  Inform  that  we  the  Subscribers,  for  the  proprieties 

of 

Lebanon  and  Plainfield,  in  pursuance  to  your  advice,  have 
Established  a Bound  Between  the  Said  Towns,  and  as  near 
The  Centre  as  possible,  Sd.  Bound  being  a Large  White 
Pine  tree,  mark’d.  3 and  4.  and  Standing  a Little  Below  the 
Meadow.  Called  Hedgehog  meadow,  in  Said  Lebanon  Just  in 
The  bend  of  the  River  : on  the  N.  Side  of  a hill,  on  the  East 
bank 

Of  Connecticut  River — 

These  are  therefore  to  Desire  the  favour,  of  your  Hoifi  if  you  in 
Your  wisdom  Shall  Judge  our  proceedure  in  Said  affair  to  be 
Legal  and  Conclusive  ; To  Certifie  the  Same,  to  his  Excel- 
lency 

For  his  approbation,  thereof,  that  the  Same  maybe  Established 
As  to  Law  and  Custom  doth  appertain — 

And  we  as  in  duty  bound,  beg  leave  to  Subscribe. — 

Your  Honours  most  Obedient 

And  very  Humble  Serv^® John  Wheatley 

Nathaniel  Porter 

Dated  in  Lebanon  Charles  Hill 

New  Hampshire  Oc‘  i®*  1768 — Thomas  Gates 

Thomas  Gallup 
John  Stevens 


[6-24]  \^Return  of  Arms  a7td  Equiptnents^  ^775 
Grafton  ss — Lebanon  August  2i®‘  1775 — 

A Return  of  Fire  arms  now  in  Said  Lebanon  Judged  to  be  Fit 

for  actual  Service,  Firelocks 55 

Other  Accoutrements  now  in  hand,  or  to  be  procured  immedi- 
ately— Fire  arms  wanting  to  Compleat  the  whole  of  the 

inhabitants  of  Said  Lebanon  able  to  bear  arms 27 

it  is  the  Humble  Request  of  the  Select  men  of  Said  Lebanon, 
in  behalf  of  Said  Town,  that  the  Hon*’^®  the  provincial  Con- 
gress, would  make  provision  for  the  Supplying  the  above  Defi- 
ciencies in  Said  Lebanon,  according  to  the  proposal  made  by 
Said  Congress — For  the  Equipting  of  the  militia  throughout 
this  province — 

Nehemiah  Estabrook 
JtP  Wheatley 
John  Griswold 

[Superscription]  To  The  Hon*^^®  Matthew  Thornton  Esq*" 
Chairman  of  the  provincial  Congress. 


} Select 
^ Men— 


LEBANON. 


371 


[R.  2-  1 81]  \^Petition  of  Nathaniel  Bugbee^  Soldier':  ad- 
dressed to  the  General  Asse?nbly 

May  it  please  your  Honours  : the  petition  of  Natlf  Bugbee 
Humbly  Sheweth  ; — That  your  petitioner  Listed  a private  Sol- 
dier, in  the  year  1777  in  Cap‘  John  House®  Company  & Col® 
Sylley®  Reg‘  of  foot,  Raised  by  the  s'^  State  for  three  years  ser- 
vice in  the  Continental  Army ; * * * * 

Nathaniel  Bugbee 

[R.  2-182] 

These  May  Certify  that  NatL  Bugbee  Inlisted  April  22*^  ^777 
for  three  years,  in  the  Comp^  Formerlv  Commanded  by  Cap‘ 
John  House,  in  the  i®*^  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  in  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  and  served  in  said  Company  untill  April  23, 
1780,  Excepting  the  time  he  was  Absent  which  time  I am  Not 
Able  to  Assertain 

, Daniel  Clapp  Cap‘  L‘ — 

To  whom  it  may  Concern 

The  Bearer  Nathaniel  Bugbyof  Col®  Silley®  Reg^  Cap*  House® 
Company  being  unfitt  for  Duty  has  a furlow  for  two  months— 
by  order  of  the  Director 

M“®  Treat  Chir : Gen*  N D 

Gen*  Hospital  Northern  Department  Octo’’  25**^  1777 — 

[He  also  presented  a certificate  from  “John  Williams 
Physician,”  dated  Lebanon,  May  26,  1778,  relative  to  his 
condition  ; and  one  dated  October  24th,  1785,  signed  Nehe- 
miah  Estabrook,  Elihu  Hyde,  committee  of  safety,  and  Theo. 
Huntington,  Simeon  Peck,  selectmen. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-185] 

[In  a petition  dated  May  ii,  1778, ’John  Slapp  stated  that 
his  “son  Edward  Slapp  of  Lebanon  Listed  into  the  Conti- 
nental Service  April  25**^777,  in  Cap*  Jn*^  House®  Comp^ 
— in  CoL  Cilley®  Reg*  & was  at  Ticonderoga  when  that 
important  post  was  Ev^acuated  ; ” that  he  was  taken  sick, 
and  died  at  the  house  of  Ichabod  Cross,  of  Shaftsbury,  on 
the  way  home.  He  asked  for  an  allowance.  The  follow- 
ing endorsement  is  on  the  back  of  the  petition  : “ Stop  a 
little  while  till  they  pay  Taxes.” — Ed.] 


372 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-186]  [_Soldier^s  Order ^ 


To  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire 


Sir  please  to  Pay  unto  James  Norris  or  his  order  all  the 
Money  due  to  me  for  three  Months  Service  in  Cap*^  Woodmans 
Company  it  being  for  value  rec*^  p^  me 


Lebanon  Jan^  12  1785 


Witness  JoiP  Norris 


his 


Joseph  X Steavens 

mark 

■^4’  3’  4 


\_The  following  Docu7nents  are  coj)ied  from  Gen.  fona. 
Chase's  Papers^^  in  JSf.  H.  Historical  Society' s Library 


Lebanon  Sept,  the  27  i777  State  New  hampshier 


Sir  Pursuant  to  your  order  of  Saturday  Last  we  have  Pro- 
cured & sent  to  Join  you  the  Names  of  men  hearafter  mention- 
ed 


Drafted  Lieu^  Levi  Hide 
Joseph  Tildan  Jn*'  in  John  Greys  Rom 
Solomin  mellington 

Volontiers  Hugkins  Stors  William  Downer  JuiP 


Neherniah  Estabrooks]  Comitty 
Azariah  Bliss  v of  Safty 

John  Griswold  ) Lebanon 


The  Names  of  the  Men  Drafted  in  Lebanon  24*^^  July  A D i777 


Serg*  Oliver  Gris-  Joseph  Downer 

wold  Constant  Storrs 

Corp^  Joseph  Martin  Joseph  Tilden  Jr 
Rufus  Baldwin  Ebba  Peck 

Azariah  Bliss  Jr  Joseph  Wood  Jr 

Asa  Colburn  Isaiah  Bliss 

Lieu*  William  Danas  Return 


Zalmon  Aspenwall 
George  Wales 
Eleaz''  Mather  Porter 
Jeremiah  Griswold 


A Return  of  Contanantal  men  that  Enlisted  out  of  Lebanon  for 
3 years — In  CokSylla®  Rigerment  in  Cap*  John  House®  Com- 
pany in  April  i777 


LEBANON. 


373 


Names 

Age 

Discription 

John  Colburn 

33 

Light  Complextion  5 feet 

9 inches  high 

Phinehas  Wright 

27 

((  u 6 

Jonathan  Conant 

17 

u ..  5 u 

5 “ “ 

Edward  Slapp 

27 

“ U ^ u 

6 “ “ 

Luther  Wheatly 

18 

“ “ 5 “ 

hj  CC  ii 

Jonathan  Wright 

22 

u c.  ^ u 

10  “ “ 

Nath*  Bugbee 

25 

Dark  “ 5 “ 

10  “ “ 

Benj^^  Owen 

19 

Light  hair  & Eyes  5 “ 

II  “ “ 

Jon®-  Kingsbury 

28 

Dark  Complextion  5 “ 

8 “ “ 

The  following 

men 

Inhabitants  of  Lebanon 

engaged  for  3 

years  in  the  states  of  Connecticut  & Massachusetts  Bay 

Elisha  Tilden 

26 

Dark  Brown  hair  5 feet 

9 inches  high 

In  CoP  Wylly®  Rigerment 

Stephen  Tilden 

21 

Light  Complextion  5 feet 

8 inches  high 

In  CoP  Durkee®  Rigerment 

John  Landee 

26 

Light  Complextion  5 feet 

7 inches  high 

Samuel  Paine  Cap* 
William  Dana  Lieu* 
Samuel  Estabrook  Ens“ 


[ William  Daiial s Return.^ 

Lebanon  y®  3^  Sep*  1777 

A Return  of  Both  Officers  & Soldiers,  that  are  in  the  Conti- 
nental Servis,  for  three  years,  or  During  the  present  Contest 
with  grate  Britton 

Viz  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

Ens”  Tho®  Blake  Phynahas  Wright  Luther  Wheatly 
Sarg*  John  Colburn  Edward  Slapp  Jonathan  Conant 

In  Cap*  Houses  Company  Syles  Regiment 
Hired  out  of  this  State — 

Nathaniel  Bugbee  Jonathan  Wright  Benjamin  Owen 

for  the  State  New  York 

Cap*  Sam**  Paine  Charles  Tilden  Stephen  Manning 


374 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


for  the  State  of  Connecticut 
Elish  Tildin  Stephen  Tilden 

Test  William  Dana  Lieu* 

John  Slapp  Clark 

To  CoP  Jonath"  Chase 

[Noah  Paine  enlisted  July  i,  1780,  for  six  months. — Ed.] 


[6-25]  \Relative  to  a Coinmittee  of  Conference^  ^777*] 

State  of  N : Hamp’’®  Grafton  ss — 

Jan^  30**^  1777 — 

Whereas,  the  Select  men  of  Lebanon  have  Rec*^  a printed 
Letter,  in  behalf  of  a Com*®®  Said  to  be  appointed  by  a Gen* 
Assembly  of  this  State,  to  treat  with  Such  persons,  or  Com*®®® 
as  Shall  be  appointed  by  any  Town  or  Towns,  that  are  Dissat- 
isfied with  what  is  Called  a plan  of  Government  in  Said  State 
— In  a full  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Said  Leb"  Resolved, 
that  Said  Com*®®  appointed  as  aforesaid  Be  Refiered  to  the 
Gen**  meeting  of  the  Corresponding  Com*®®®  of  Several  Towns 
in  this  State,  to  be  Holden  at  Said  Lebanon  on  Thursday  the 
13**^  Day  of  Feb^  next,  at,  10  Oth.  Clock  A M.  at  the  Dwelling 
House  of  Dea®  John  Ordway.  inn-holder  in  Said  Lebanon — for 
the  purpose  aforesaid — 

Attest  Silas  Waterman  C* 


[6-26]  \^Letter  fro?n  Nehemiah  Estabrook^  •^777*] 

Lebanon  Feb^  5**^  *777* 

Gentlemen, 

The  enclosed  have  been  transmitted  to  me  with  desire  that  I 
wou’d  forward  them  to  you  by  the  first  Opportunity,  which  I 
now  do  by  the  bearer  IVP  Porter, 

I am  likewise  desired  by  Committees  of  various  Towns  to 
inform  you  that  those  Towns  in  these  Parts,  which  are  aggrieved 
with  the  proceedings  of  the  Assembly  at  Exeter  have  united 
by  their  Committees  to  concert  measures  to  obtain  redress  ; and 
that  their  meeting  is  to  be  held  by  adjournment  at  the  House  of 
Deacon  Ordway  at  Lebanon  on  the  13**^  Instant — And  as  it  ap- 
pears to  be  the  general  Sintiment  in  these  Parts  that  the  only 
effectual  means  of  producing  that  harmony  and  union  you  pro- 
pose will  be  a Conference  with  said  meeting  of  Committees,  I 


LEBANON. 


375 


am  desired  to  request  the  favour  that  you  will  attend  said  meet- 
ing that  a solid  P^oundation  may  thereby  be  laid  for  effecting 
those  desirable  and  important  Purposes. 

I am  Gentlemen  with  much  respect, 

Your  most  obedient 

and  humble  Servant 

Nehemiah  Estabrook  chairman  of 
said  united  Committees 


|]6-27]  [ Complaint  of  N.  H.  Adherents^ 


To  the  Hon*^^®  the  Council  & Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire — 


We  the  Subscribers,  being  Inhabitants  of  Lebanon  in  the 
County  of  Grafton  and  State  afores*^  Humbly  Petition  and  give 
your  Hon’’®  to  be  Informed,  that  for  Some  Time  past  we  have 
been  greatly  abused  & harrassed  by  a Power,  usurped  without 
Right,  to  which  we  neither  owe  nor  own  Allegiance,  and  by 
which  we  have  been  prohibited,  from  Yielding  that  Subjection 
.&  Obedience  to  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  which  is  Justly 
due.  and  whereby  we  are  deprived  of  those  Rights  and  Privi- 
ledges  to  which  we  are  Justly  entitled  as  Subjects  of  s^^  State, 
and  are  liable  to  many  & great  Evils  and  Burdens  for  want  of 
that  Protection  which  we  humbly  conceive,  may  be  dutifully 
requested  and  demanded  from  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 
Wherefore  we  most  humbly  pray  that  your  HoiP®  will  take 
Such  resolutions  on  the  premises  as  may  effectually  redress  the 
Grievances  of  your  Petitioners  and  restore  them  to  their  Just 
Rights  & Priveledges  & the  Protection  of  said  State,  and  may 
be  duly  represented  in  the  Gen^  Assembly  and  have  Justice  ad- 
ministered under  the  Authority  of  the  Same — 

And  your  PeP  Shall  ever  pray  &c 

Lebanon  15*^  Dec^  ^77^ 


Charles  Hill 
William  Downer  ji 
Solomon  Millingto 
Ebenezer  Bliss 
Isaac  Cory 
Joseph  Tilden  Jr 
Joseph  Wood 


Sam^'  Bailey 
James  Jones 
John  gray 
Jabez  Baldwin 
Beniamin  fuller 
Simeon  Hovey 
Eliezer  Robinson 


Phinehas  Wri  ght 
Saiff^  Millington 
Jesse  Heath 
W"^  Wakefield 
William  Downer 
Josiah  Plovey 
James  Fuller 


December  24 — at  a Meeting  of  the  Within  Named  petioners 


376 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Voted  Petition  be  Shewn  to  the  Select  men  of  ye  town 
Voted  that  this  meeting  Be  Adjourned  to  the  28*^^  instant 

Jesse  Heath  Clark 

Dec^’’  28*^^  the  above  petitioners  met  by  adjournment  and 
Voted  mr.  william  Downer  their  agent  to  present  S^^  petition  to 
the  Hon’^'®  Asembly  of  S*^  State  or  in  there  reses  to  the  Hon'’^® 
president  and  Council  and  Receive  Their  answer — 

Jesse  Heath  Clarke 

I 

[6-28]  \^Relative  to  an  alleged  Riot^  ^779 

Lebanon  Newhamshire  July  27*^  ^779 
To  the  Hon'^^  Meshack  Ware  and  the  Hon^^®  Councel  of  the 

State  of  Newhamshire — 

Gentlemen  : your  petitioners  desire  to  inform  your  Honersof 
A late  disturbance  in  this  town  : against  all  Law  both  Humane 
and  divine=and  in  defyance  of  the  authority  of  the  State  : a 
number  of  men  went  to  the  dweling  House  of  m’'  Jams  Joans 
in  the  Evening  of  the  22^*  inst.  And  by  force  and  Violence, 
toock  him  from  his  bed  and  bound  Him  on  a horse  with  his 
face  to  the  horses  tail : and  he  was  obliged  to  Ride  in  that 
maner  four  or  five  miles=to  a tavern  they  following  him  with 
Bells  horns  &®=at  the  tavern  they  abused  him  in  a most  Shock- 
ing maner  with  words  and  blows  : then  Return‘d  about  half  a 
mile  made  a halt  and  abused  him  as  before  : Even  thretening 
with  death  till  He  was  oblig*^  to  Comply  with  thir  unreasonable 
Demands,  your  petitioners  are  Very  much  threttened  if  we 
Say  any  thing  against  Such  Conduct,  therefore  we  pray  your 
Honors  to  take  the  mater  into  Considerration.  and  Afford  us 
Such  assistance  as  you  in  your  wisdom  Shall  think  best 

Jesse  Heath  \ 

Sam^  Bailey  > Com‘*^ 
Charles  hill  j 


[6-30]  [Rrotest  against  the  Action  of  the  Town^  i"/8o7\ 

State  of  Newhampshire  County  of  Grafton 
Lebanon  31®*  March  1780 

We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Said  Lebanon 
Who  hold  our  selves  in  duty  bound  To  be  League  Subjects  of 
the  State  of  Newhampshire — 

Do  hereby  publickly  remonstrate  and  protest  against  the  Ille- 
gal proceeding  of  the  Town  of  Lebanon  (viz)  theTown  Voting 


LEBANON. 


377 


to  pay  no  regard  To  the  Authority  of  the  state  of  Newhamp- 
shire  and  that  thay  Would  Yeild  no  Obedience  to  any  precept 
sent  to  them  from  the  Authority  of  Said  state  for  raising  men 
for  the  defence  of  the  United  states  or  any  other  wise — 

The  Town  enacting  Laws  in  town  meeting  repugnant  to  the 
Laws  of  the  state  and  adopting  the  Laws  of  Connecticut  to  gov- 
ern them  Selves  by  in  open  violation  of  the  Authority  of  the 
state  of  Newhampshire  Altho  thay  have  Unanimously  Ac- 
knowlidge  themselves  under  the  Jurisdiction  of  Newhampshire 
by  Vollentarily  confiderating  with  said  State  and  the  Town 
under  a pretence  of  authority  in  a high  handed  manner  fre- 
quently stop  men  in  the  highway  Rob  them  of  their  property 
even  when  the}^  have  a CertilLcate  from  proper  authority  to 
pass  unmolested  and  Blocking  up  the  publick  Highway  by 
falling  Trees  Across  the  path  so  as  to  Render  it  impractible  for 
Travilors  to  pass  Whereby  Travilers  have  been  much  injured 
and  to  the  disgrace  of  the  Town  and  many  Other  Illegal  pro- 
ceedings inconsistant  in  themselves  and  injurious  to  the  public 
peace  of  this  and  Neibouring  towns, — To  be  Communicated  to 
the  Town  forth  with 

Sam^  Bailey  Jesse  Heath 

Eben’’  Bliss  W"^  Downer 

Phinehas  Wright  Sam^  Millington 
Soloman  Millington  Benj“  Fuller 
James  Jones  John  Gray 

Elezer  Robinson  Jabez  Baldwin 

Joel  Kilburn  Gideon  Baker 


[From  Gen.  Chase’s  papers.] 

\_Call for  a Co7?fere?ice  Meetings  77^0.] 

Lebanon  New  Hamshire  Grants  October  1780. 

Whereas  the  present  Day  calls  for  every  Exertion  touching 
the  publick  Cause,  that  our  Lives  & properties  may  be  safe  & 
secure  from  Invasions  of  our  natural  and  unnatural  Enemies  & 
that  we  have  reason  to  believe,  we  have  manv  of  the  most 
abandoned  Wretches,  that  are  lost  to  all  the  fealings  of  hu- 
manity among  us,  who  do  intend  the  Destruction  of  this 
flourishing  Country  if  not  prevented. — We  whose  names  are 
here  inscribed  do  request  that  no  time  be  lost  in  taking  up 
all  suspected  Persons  that  are  Enemical  to  the  Liberties  of 
this  Country — That  every  Town  would  exert  themselves  for 
that  purpose — That  the  Towns  on  this  Frontier  would  form  into 
some  Plan,  for  the  design  & purpose  of  purging  out  this  Detest- 


Charles  Hill 
W"'  Downer  Ju’' 
Sam'  Millington  Ju*' 
James  Fuller 
Joseph  Tilden  JuiF 
W’"  Wakefield 
Nathaniel  Hall  JmF 


378 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


able  Leveii.  We  desire  the  Committee  & Selectmen  & the 
Principal  Inhabitants  of  the  Neighboring  Towns  would  attend 
at  M"  Bliss’s  Inholder  in  Lebanon,  on  Monday  the  30^^  of  Octo- 
ber 17S0  for  this  purpose 

Nehemiah  Estabrook  \ Committee  Simeon  Peck  I c 1 
Elisha  Lathrop  > of  Theo-Huntington  > 

Elihu  Hyde  ) Safety  NatH  Stores  j 

A Coppy  of  a Letter  sent  to  the  adjacent  Towns 

Attest  Elijah  Dewey  Jun*^ 


[6-29]  [^Relative  to  Vermont  Controversy^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Grafton  County 

Lebanon  15  : May  1782 

To  the  HoiP^®  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  the  State 

of  New  Hampshire — 

We  the  Subscribers  Did  prefer  A Petition  to  your  Honours 
Dated  at  Lebanon  15^*^  Decern^  ^77^*  Setting  forth  Some  Diffi- 
culty s & grievances  we  Laboured  under. — & praying  for  Re- 
dress in  the  premices, — We  Rec*^  an  Answer  to  Said  Petition 
from  the  Com*^*^®  of  Safety  Dated  Jan^  ^779  informing  us  that 
the  General  Assembly  had  Resolved  to  take  up  & Consider  the 
matter  and  Endeavour  to  Redress  our  Grievances, — Recom- 
mending to  us  to  pay  no  Obedience  to  any  Authority  but  what 
was  Derived  from  the  Legeslature  of  New  Hampshire,  which 
Recommendation  we  have  Steadily  Adheared  to — and  have 
publickly  Remonstrated  against  the  Illegal  & irregular  proceed- 
ings of  the  Town  in  Town  Meeting,  as  will  Appear  by  A Re- 
monstrance herewith  Exhibitted,  which  was  Laid  before  the 
Town  &c — 

We  would  inform  your  Honours  we  have  always  Stood 
Ready  to  pay  our  Equal  proportion  of  the  Taxes  CalP  for  by 
the  Authority  of  New  Hampshire,  but  by  Reason  of  being 
over  powered  by  Numbers  Could  Never  obtain  to  have  A Reg- 
ular List  made  up  to  have  our  Tax  proportioned  or  any  Legall 
officer  to  Collect,  by  which  means  the  money  haith  Died  in  our 
pockets, — 

We  now  putting  Confidence  in  your  Great  wisdom  and  Good- 
ness being  fully  purswaded  that  you  will  Compasionate  & hear 
the  prayer  of  your  Distressed  Leage  Subjects,  Do  now  again 
most  Earnestly  Petition  to  your  Honours  to  Consider  our  Case, 
and  grant  us  Such  Releife  in  the  premises  as  in  your  wisdom 
you  Shall  think  Just  & Reasonable,  So  as  that  your  Petitioners 
may  be  as  Little  Sufferers  as  possible  by  the  Disorderly  & Dis- 


LEBANON. 


379 


obedient  Conduct  of  the  Town,  and  the  Great  Evils  and  Disad- 
vantages thev  have  involved  themselves  in  by  not  Continuing 
Loyal  Subjects  of  the  State,  and  paying  their  Taxes  in  Season — 

Jesse  Heath 
Charles  Hill 


Com 


tee 


[6-3-] 


\^JDisputed  yurisdiction^  77(?2.] 


To  the  Hon'’^®  the  Gen^^  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp’’® 
To  be  Holden  at  Ports"'®  in  s*^  State,  the  third  Wednesday  of 
Dec''  Instant, — 


May  it  please  Your  Hon''® 


We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Lebanon  in 
the  County  of  Grafton  in  S*^  State  ; having  taken  into  Consider- 
ation the  Several  Resolves  of  the  Hon'''®  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, Respecting  the  Disputes  that  have  Arisen  about  the  Ju- 
risdiction of  the  State  of  N : Hamp''®  over  the  Hamp*'®  Grants 
(So  Called)  are  of  the  Opinion  that  S‘'  Resolves,  implicitly  de- 
clare it  to  be  the  Opinion  of  that  August  Body,  that  that  part  of 
S''  Grants  Lying  East  of  Connecticut  River  (in  which  we  are 
included)  Should  be  under  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  State  of  New 
Hamp''®;  with  which  we  Readily  Comply;  and  Acknowledge 
the  same  ; Yet,  Nevertheless  for  us  to  be  Obliged  to  pay  the 
back  State  Taxes  ; for  the  time  being  that  we  have  been  uncon- 
nected with  the  State  of  New  Hamp''®  in  matters  of  Govern- 
ment, we  Look  upon  it  to  be  a Hardship,  & Trust  that  your 
Hon''®  will  Consider  us  in  that  matter  ; & as  there  is  a Consid- 
erable Number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Town  that  wholly  De- 
ny the  Jurisdiction  of  N : Hamp'®, — if  }^our  Hon'®  should  find 
yourselves  Laid  under  the  Disagreeable  Necessity  of  using  Co- 
ercive measures,  with  Opposers,  to  your  Authority  we  Hope 
that  your  Hon'®  will  make  a Specifick  Difterence  between  them 
& Us,  & we  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray 


Joseph  Tilden 
James  Jones 
Jesse  Heath 
Stephen  Billing 
Nath'  Hall  Ju' 
Joseph  Chamberlin 
Rufus  Baldwin 
James  Hartshorn 
Joel  Kilborn 
Barna  Tisdale 
W*"  Downer 
David  Crocker 
.AliY  Wheatley 


Sam'  Bailey 
Sam"  Millington 
Gid"  Baker 
Tho®  Bingham 
Charles  Hill 
Simon  Slapp 
Dan  Metcalf 
Charles  Tilden 
Joseph  Wood 
David  Hinckley 
Joseph  Downer 
Silas  Waterman 
William  Dana 


Solomon  Millington 
Sherebiah  Ballard 
Ziba  Hall 
Heze  Waters 
Jn®  Wheatley 
Oliver  Penney 
Stephen  Tilden 
Tho®  Wells 
Phinehas  Wright 
William  Downer  jur 
Randol  Evans 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


380 

[Documents  relative  to  the  dispute  concerning  the  juris- 
diction over  the  New  Hampshire  grants,  east  of  Connecti- 
cut river,  may  be  found  in  Vol.  X. — Ed.] 


[6-33]  \^Relative  to  recording  Grafits  in  Office  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  State,  iy82.~\ 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire  and 
to  the  general  Assembly  of  said  State  to  meet  at  Concord  in 
said  State  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  June  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  Seventeen  hundred  and  eighty  two — 

We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Lebanon  in 
the  County  of  Grafton  in  said  State  humbly  petition  and  shew 
to  your  Honors — That  they  are,  either  original  Grantees  of 
land,  granted  either  by  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq  ; or  John 
Wentworth,  Esq  ; late  Governors  of  said  State,  or  claim  land 
by  virtue  of  conveyances  from  such  original  Grantees — That  in 
consequence  of  the  confusion  that  has  prevailed  in  said  County 
but  a small  part  of  the  Laws  of  said  State  have  been  received 
in  said  County,  for  a number  of  Years  so  that  your  Petitioners 
never  heard  of  the  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  said  State, 
entitled  An  Act  For  Recording  Grants,  Locations  or  Charters 
of  Lands  granted  by  the  late  Governors  thereof — passed  March 
the  fourth  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  Seventeen  hundred  and 
Eighty,  until  the  time  limited  in  said  Act  for  filing  said  Grants 
&c  in  the  Secretary’s  Office  in  said  State  was  elapsed — That 
your  Petitioners  have  lately  been  informed  that  the  time  of  fil- 
ing said  Grants  &c  as  aforesaid  has  since  been  lengthned  by  an 
Act  of  said  Assembly,  but  that  the  time  allowed  by  this  Act 
had  also  expired  before  they  received  this  information — And 
that  your  Petitioners  are  in  danger  of  losing  their  lands  in  con- 
sequence of  their  not  knowing  of  the  passing  of  said  Acts — 
Your  Petitioners  therefore  pray  that  a further  time  may  be 
allowed  for  the  receiving  and  recording  such  Grants  &c  as 
aforesaid — or  that  such  other  relief  may  be  granted  to  your  Pe- 
titioners as  to  your  Honors  shall  seem  meet,  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray 

Sam^^  Bailey 
Phinehas  Wright 
James  Jones 
Gid'^  Baker 
Joel  Kilborn 
John  Gray 


W’”  Downer 
William  Downer 

Sam'^  Millington 
Benjmin  Wr  ight 
Nathaniel  Hall  Jffi 


Charles  Hill 
Joseph  Downer 
Solomon  Millington 
Eliezer  Robinson 
Joseph  Tilden  Jffi 


LEBANON.  381 

[6-33]  \_Protest  agahist  the  Incorporation  of  a District  to 
be  called  Dresden^  ^7^3 — incomplete.~\ 

Objections  against  the  Incorporation  of  a part  of  Lebanon  & 
Hanover  in  the  County  of  Grafton  into  a distinct  Town — 

I — The  freeholders  of  that  part  of  Lebanon,  which  is  sub- 
ject to  taxation,  & proposed  to  be  taken  into  said  corporation, 
are  unanimously  opposed  to  such  an  Incorporation — That  is, 
those  of  them,  who  reside  in  said  Lebanon — Fourteen  hundred 
and  forty  Acres  are  all  the  land  (exclusive  of  College  lands) 
lying  in  said  Lebanon  proposed  to  be  taken  in — Thirteen  hun- 
dred Acres  of  which  are  owned  by  said  resident  Freeholders, 
and  a considerable  part  of  the  one  hundred  and  forty  Acres  re- 
maining are  owned  by  a Minor — 

2.  That  the  said  resident  Owners,  have  done  alreadv  their 
proportion  for  building  up  Dartmouth  College,  and  they  can 
see  no  reason  why  they  should  be  subject  to  the  Authority  of 
said  College  and  their  dependants — They  have  given  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  Acres  of  Land,  and  in  money  and  labour,  to  the 
amount  of  Fifteen  pounds — Altho  but  eight  in  number,  and 
subject  to  those  difficulties,  which  generally  attend  those,  who 
settle  a new  Countiy,  And  if  such  an  Incorporation  shoidd  be 
made  every  vote  would  be  carried  according  to  the  Inclinations 
of  the  said  Autohrity,  who  will  alwavs  have  a sufficient  num- 
ber of  Dependants  to  assist  them  in  carrying  any  point — where- 
by the  situation  of  the  said  resident  Owners  would  be  exceed- 
ingly uncomfortable. — 

3.  By  such  an  Incorporation  the  said  Freeholders  will  be  ex- 
cluded from  all  benefit  to  public  rights,  and  to  ministerial  and 
school  privileges  in  s'^  Lebanon — The  public  rights  in  s*^  Leba- 
non are  so  far  improved  and  disposed  oft'  that  a considerable 
sum  accrues  to  Lebanon  from  such  Improvements  and  disposal, 
A minister  is  settled — a meeting  house  and  several  School- 
houses  are  built — 

From  which  benefit,  the  s*^  Freeholders  would  be  excluded 
by  such  an  Incorporation — 

4.  Many  new  roads  must  be  made  to  accomodate  such  a 
Town  as  is  desired — whereas  if  the  s*^  Freeholders  remain  as 
they  are  in  conjunction  with  Lebanon,  the  expence  of  said  new 
roads  will  be  saved — 

5.  That  the  s^^  Incorporation  will  ever  greatly  be  burthened 
with  poor  to  maintain — Dependants  must  be  introduced  and 
not  warned  out  ’till  they  become  a town-charge — 

6.  That  the  expence  of  maintaining  town  order  will  be  great, 
& a very  large  part  of  that  expence  will  fall  upon  the  s'^  Free- 
holders in  proportion  to  their  interest.  The  s*^  Freeholders  are 
the  owners  of  double,  if  not  treble  the  land  in  s^  proposed 


382 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


township,  which  will  be  subject  to  taxation — and  the  College 
will  ever  own  stock  and  other  ratiable  property  whereby  the 
s*^  Freeholders  are  apprehensive  that  they  shall  be  obliged  to  do 
a great,  if  not  the  greatest  part  towards  supporting  the  poor, 
and  discharging  other  town  expences,  which  they  feel  unable 
ever  to  perform — 

7.  That  it  would  be  unprecedented  to  seperate  any  from  a 
particular  Corporation,  they  had  joined  without  their  consent 
either  explicit  or  implicit 

[See  Hanover  papers,  ante. — Ed.] 


[6-34]  l^jRelafive  to  the  Collection  of  Taxes. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  now  setting  in  Concord — 

The  petition  of  the  Select  Men  of  the  Town  of  Lebanon  in 
the  County  of  Grafton  Humbly  sheweth 

That  from  the  year  i777  year  17S1 — sundry  sums  of 

money  were  from  time  to  time  voted  by  said  Town  for  defray- 
ing necessary  Town  charges,  and  for  defending  ourselves  on 
the  Frontier  against  the  Common  Enemy,  that  tax  bills  were 
from  time  to  time  made  out  agreeable  to  said  Votes,  but  Col- 
lected only  in  part,  untill  the  year  1781  when  at  a Legal  Meet- 
ing of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  M*"  Constant  Storrs  was 
appointed  to  Collect  the  aforesaid  Taxes,  and  they  were  accord- 
ingly Committed  to  him  to  Collect — That  as  said  Bills  were 
made  on  Inventories  not  conforming  to  the  then  Laws  of  this 
State,  though  at  the  same  time  makeing  the  Average  to  each 
person  so  taxed  very  nearly  the  same,  as  the  law  in  that  Case 
would  have  done,  and  were  made  by  the  General  Order  Vote, 
and  direction  of  the  people  of  s*^  Town,  yet  as  we  apprehend 
it  unsafe  to  proceed  to  collect  said  Taxes  unless  the  said  Col- 
lector is  duly  authorized  so  to  Do — 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  your  Honours 
would  pass  such  act  or  resolve  as  may  enable  said  Collector  to 
complete  the  Collection  of  s'^  Bills 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Concord  1 2*^' of  David  Hough, 

June  17S3  in  the  behalf  of  s*^  Select  Men 


[6-35]  \_Relative  to  the  I?icorpo7'atio7i  of  Dresden., 

To  the  Speaker  of  the  house  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  Now  Seting  att  Concord — 


LEBANON. 


383 


Sir : Should  thare  be  any  moshon  on  thursday  Nex  to  See  if 

the  a Sembly  will  in  Corperate  in  to  a Destinct  town  a Sarting 
tract  of  Land  lying  on  Conotocut  River  so  called  being  part  of 
Hanover  and  part  of  Lebanon  by  the  name  of  Drisdon  I Beg 
Sir — you  would  in  forme  the  Honorobel  house  that  thare  is  a 
potishon  or  praor  to  vSd  house  not  to  Encorperate  in  to  a Des- 
tinct town  the  Lands  potishond  for  last  seting  of  a Sembly 
those  that  signed  a Ganst  incorporation  owne  more  than  one 
half  the  ratobol  land  Contand  in  the  potishon  for  incorporation 
you  Sir  and  the  house  in  General  are  Sensobol  the  Coledg 
Lands  and  Ofosors  of  Coledge  are  not  taxt  Sir  thare  is  not 
much  if  any  more  one  hundred  and  seventy  acors  under  Em- 
provement  taxabol  lands  in  Sd  tract  potishond  for  inCoperation 
Sir  we  heare  thare  was  an  order  of  Cort  upon  thare  Potishon 
that  the  matter  should  be  heard  and  Reson  shone  if  any  why 
it  should  not  be  in  Coperated  and  that  the  order  of  Cort  should 
be  publeshed  in  the  publick  papers  we  have  No  knowledg  of 
the  orders  being  Complyd  with  Sir;  the  Reson  of  my  trough- 
bling  you  with  this  letter  was,  I was  Desired  to  a tend  Cort 
and  see  that  the  potishonors  protest  a ganst  in  Coperation  was 
lade  be  fore  the  honorabel  house  when  I Sot  out  better  than  a 
fortenate  a Go  from  home  Expected  to  a Returnd  home  time 
anough  to  a ben  Down  by  the  Day  and  Left  the  Potishon  with 
the  Signors  being  wethor  bound  find  I Cant  Comply  with  thare 
requst  I feare  thay  will  have  opertunity  to  send  thare  potishon 
on  with  thare  reasons  wdiy  thay  would  wish  not  to  be  in  Cop- 
erated in  to  a Distinct  town — 

Sir,  tho  you  are  a Stranger  to  me  the  Stashon  or  place  you 
stand  in  is  Sofishont  Evidence  to  me  that  you  are  Gentelman 
of  Vorasoty  and  must  feale  for  Every  Injured  Sutforer  in  the 
State  in  which  asembly  that  you  are  the  Speaker  of  that  Body 
that  w'e  under  God  have  no  whare  Els  to  look  for  help  in  mat- 
ters of  this  nature — 

Sir — if  you  think  that  we  are  not  to  poore  to  be  Notest  hav- 
ing but  small  interest  Liabol  to  pay  wdiat  Ever  is  put  upon  us 
wdthout  ever  having  a Voice  in  Representation  Liabol  to  make 
and  mend  the  Rodes  threw  all  the  Coledg  land  w'ith  out  thare 
help  which  Rods  are  Verey  bad  and  the  few  and  poor  inliabo- 
tonc  wdll  be  oblige  to  make  and  mend  or  Suffer  the  penalty  ot 
Law  for  Not  Doing  it  that  you  wull  att  least  Continue  oure 
trial  or  delay  incorporating  said  town  untill  the  Next  Seshon, 
att  which  time  Hanover  and  Lebanon  will  be  represented  as 
thay  are  not  Know  as  thav  Consider  it — 

if  a Semblv  under  the  Consideration  that  we  Cant  bv  Reson 
of  the  rods  being  bloct  and  Som  other  matters  that  the  house 
ought  to  Know  upon  oure  trial  that  Cant  be  said  before  the 
a Sembly  this  Seshon  if  thay  in  thare  wisdom  would  Give  us 


384 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


a heare  ing  att  the  nex  Seting  we  should  think  oure  Selvs  in 
Duty  bound  to  pray 

December  20*^  ^7^3 — 

Gideon  Tiffan  in  behalf  of 
Signors  a ganst  in  Copration  of  Dresdon 


[6-36]  \_Relative  to  the  Incorporation  of  Dresden^ 

Know  all  men  by  these  Presents — That  we  the  Subscribers 
Freeholders  of  the  town  of  Lebanon  in  the  County  of  Grafton 
and  State  of  New  Hampshire  do  by  these  presents  severally 
constitute  & appoint  Joseph  Tilden  of  s*^  Lebanon  our  lawfull 
Attorney  in  all  causes  moved  or  to  be  moved  for  us  or  against 
us  in  our  respective  names  to  appear  plead  & pursue  to  final 
Judgment  and  Execution — Particularly  to  repair  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  s*^  State  to  sit  at  Concord  in  s*^  State  in  December 
instant,  & in  our  names  to  oppose  the  granting  the  prayer  of  a 
Petition  presented  to  the  s*^  Assembly  at  their  last  Session,  by 
Bezaleel  Woodward  and  others,  requesting  the  Incorporation 
of  a part  of  said  Lebanon  & a part  of  Hanover  in  said  County 
into  a distinct  town — In  our  names  to  appear  at  any  Session  of 
the  said  Assembly,  & there  to  transact  any  matter  or  matters  to 
prevent  the  s*^  Incorporation,  that  we  might  respectively  do 
were  we  personally  present — with  full  power  of  substitution — 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereto  respectively  set  our  hands 
& Seals  the  19^^  day  of  December  Anno  Domini  1783 — 

Joseph  Tilden  Jr  Rufus  Baldwin  Rufus  Baldwin  Ju 

Charles  Tilden  Joel  Tilden  Samuel  Baldwin 

Stephen  Tilden 

\ 

[The  scheme  for  the  incorporation  of  Dresden  did  not 
succeed.  See  Hanover  papers,  ante. — Ed.] 


[^~37]  [ Dana  for  a Ferry ^ iy84.~\ 

To  the  Hon'®  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire to  sit  at  Exeter  in  March  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  Sev- 
enteen hundred  & eighty  four — 

Humbly  shews  William  Dana  of  Lebanon  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  in  s^  State — That  he  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  s*^ 
Lebanon,  that  he  has  suffered  greatly  by  the  passing  of  persons 
thro’  his  land,  in  going  over  Connecticut  river,  to  Hartford  in 
the  State  of  Vermont  (so  call’d) — That  the  privilege  of  a ferry 


LEBANON. 


385 


in  river  parallel  with  Lebanon  has  not  been  granted — But 
the  profits  of  assisting  to  the  crossing  s'^  river  against  s*^  Leba- 
non have  been  ingrossed  by  those  that  live  not  in  the  State  of 
New-Hampshire,  & have  no  estate  therein,  & can  easily  evade 
any  law  of  s^^  State  for  the  regulation  of  Ferries — Your  Peti- 
tioner therefore  prays,  the  granting  to  him  & his  heirs  the  privi- 
lege of  a ferry,  beginning  at  the  Northwest  Corner  of  his  house 
Lott  in  s^  Lebanon — thence  extending  across  s*^  river  in  a direct 
line  with  the  north  line  of  s*^  Lott  to  the  western  bank  of  s*^ 
river — thence  south  on  bank  one  mile  & an  half — thence  east 

across  s'^  river  to  the  North  bank  of  the  river  Mascoma — thence 
North  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  first  mentioned  river  to  the 
first  mentioned  bound — as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

William  Dana 

[Petition  granted. — Ed.] 


[6-38]  {^Petition  for  a new  7hzvn^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Honarable  the  Senate,  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  to  be  convened  at  Concord  on  the  Third 
Wednesday  of  October  instant — 

The  petition  of  Elisha  Payne  and  others  Inhabitants  of  the 
Towns  of  Lebanon  Hanover — Enfield  and  Canaan  in  said 
State,  humbly  shew  that  their  local  situation  is  such,  being  in 
the  four  adjoining  corners  or  parts  of  said  towns,  and  so  remote 
from  the  centre  of  the  Respective  Towns  to  which  they  belong, 
and  the  places  of  their  holding  Town  and  other  publick  Meet- 
ings that  renders  it  very  inconvenient  and  allmost  imposable 
for  them  to  attend  especially  on  the  sabbath  or  Lords  day. 
That  the  Territory  of  land  here  after  discribed,  being  about 
four  Miles  square  is  so  situated,  and  the  laying  of  the  rhodes 
through  the  same  such,  that  makes  it  convenient  for  them  to  be 
a district  or  Town  of  themselves,  and  will  Not  hurt  or  injure 
the  respective  towns  from  which  they  may  be  taken  oft'.  Your 
petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  Your  Honors  to  take  their 
case  into  Your  wise  consideration  and  Grant  them  relief,  by 
allowing  them  an  incorporation  with  Town  privileges  agreeably 
to  the  following  limits  and  boundaries,  viz  begining  at  the 
Northwest  corner  of  lot  N®  50,  of  the  village  lots  so  called, 
in  the  line  between  said  Lebanon  and  Hanover  from  thence 
riming  south  33°  west  by  the  westerly  line  of  said  Village  lots 
untill  it  comes  to  Masquama  River,  then  turning  and  runing 
up  said  River  and  crossing  the  same  to  the  southwest  corner  of 
Lot  N®  36  on  the  southerly  side  of  said  River  from  thence 
southerly  a strate  line  to  the  southwest  corner  of  lot  N°  9 on 

37 


386 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  Northerly  side  of  Enfield  Rhode  (so  called)  Thence  south 
72  degrees  east  by  said  Enfield  Rhode  to  the  east  line  of  Leba- 
non called  the  Freeman  line,  and  to  continue  the  same  course 
in  said  Enfield  one  Mile  and  a half  thence  turning  oft'  and  run- 
ing  North  36°  E.  parilel  with  the  Town  line  untill  it  comes  to 
said  River  thence  up  the  River  to  the  Bridge  standing  on  said 
River  in  Canaan  from  thence  North  36°  East  so  far  as  one  Mile 
and  a quarter  from  Enfield  North  line  thence  turning  oft'  and 
Riming  North  64°  west  through  part  of  Canaan  and  into  said 
town  of  Hanover  to  the  Northeast  corner  of  Lot  No.  13  and  by 
the  Northerly  line  thereof  and  by  the  Northerly  line  of  three 
lots,  No  3 untill  it  comes  to  lot  No.  17  thence  turning  oft 
by  said  lot  No  17,  18  and  19  and  so  continue  the  same  cours 
to  the  line  between  Lebanon  and  Hanover  thence  by  said  line 
to  the  Bounds  began  at which  tract  or  ter- 

ritory of  land  as  above  discribed.  Your  Petitioners  pray  May 
be  by  Your  Honers  incorporated  into  a district  or  town  by 
name  of  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  invested  with  all 

the  powers  priviledges  and  immunitys  that  other  towns  or  dis- 
tricts under  the  like  circumstances  within  the  State  have  and 
injoye,  or  in  some  other  way  grant  Your  petitioners  relief  in 
the  premises  as  Your  Honers  in  Your  wisdom  shall  Judge 
Most  convenient  and  Your  petitioners  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray— 

Dated  Lebanon  i2‘^  day  of  October,  17S5 — 


Walter  Peck 
David  Hinckley 
John  Crowell 
Daniel  Swetland 
Abiel  Willes 
Daniel  Willes 
Benjamin  Wright 
Daniel  Alden 
Diarus  Allen 
Joseph  Basford 


Ebba  Peck 
Edm*^  Freeman 
David  Stoddard 
James  Bellows 
Ephraim  Brown 
Elisha  Payne 
Jeriah  Swetland 
Enoch  Redington 
Simeon  Cooke 


Nathan  Blodget 
Gid*^  Baker 
Lonard  Hoar 
Jonathan  Bingham 
Sam^^  Karr 
Thomas  Howard 
Clap  Sumner 
Phinehas  Allen 
Solomon  Millington 


[The  petitioners  did  not  succeed  in  their  efforts  to  obtain* 
the  incorporation  of  a new  town. — Ed.] 


C^“39]  \_Samuel  Bailey  for  a Ferry  ^ iy8yr\ 

State  of  New  HampslF 

To  the  HoiF^®  Senate  & house  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  Convend  at  Portsmouth  on  y®  first  wensday  of  June 

1785— 

The  Petition  of  Samuel  Bailey  of  Lebanon  humbly  sheweth 


LEBANON. 


387 


that  your  petitioner  hath  purchas’d  afarm  adjoining  Conecticut 
River  where  there  has  been  a ferry  kept  for  several  years  like- 
wise your  petitioner  has  purchased  the  boats  that  has  been  Im- 
proved at  s*^  Ferry  wherefore  your  petitioner  humbly  prayeth 
that  your  Hon’’®  may  take  his  Case  under  your  wise  considera- 
tion and  grant  to  your  Petitioner  the  Exclusive  Right  of  a ferry 
from  the  mouth  of  white  River  to  y®  mouth  of  Mascame  River 
beinof  about  one  mile  & an  half  to  him  and  his  Fleirs  and  as- 
signs  and  vour  Petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Sam”  Bailey 

[In  fl.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  10,  1786,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[6-40]  S^Relative  to  the  Chartei'  of  the  Town^  77<5’<5.] 

State  of  Newhamp’’® 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate,  & house  of  Representatives 
Convened  at  Concord,  the  first  Wednesday  in  June  1786 — 

The  Petition  of  the  proprietors  of  Lebanon  humbly  sheweth, 
that  in  the  year  1765 — after  the  Charter,  & Records  of  said 
Proprietors,  ware  Transposed,  from  Mansfield,  (in  the  then 
Colony  of  Connecticut,)  to  said  Lebanon,  the  said  Charter,  was 
kept  by  Lieu*  Levi  Hyde,  in  a Chest,  filP  with  Clothes,  into 
which  Chest  some  mice  Got  in,  unperceived,  & Doubtless  ware 
lockt  in,  as  two  of  them  ware  found  Dead,  in  said  Chest,  some 
time  after,  & we  suppose  that  in  the  time  of  their  Confinement, 
they  happened  to  find  the  way  to  said  Charter,  which  was 
folded  together ; and  did  Eat,  and  Deface  it : Considerably  : yet 
not  so  as  to  Destroy  it,  as  may  appear  on  view  thereof,  and  as 
there  was  an  Exact  Entry  made  of  said  Charter  in  the  Records 
of  said  proprietors,  (which  we  have  sent  by  Rob*  Colburn  Our 
Agent,  to  Satisfie  your  Honours  of  the  truth  of  facts,)  we 
humbly  Conceive  that  your  Honours  will  find  no  Reasonable 
Objection,  against  Your  Honours  Granting  the  Request  of  your 
petitioners  ; which  is,  that  your  Honours  would  please  to  Order 
the  Secretary  of  said  State  to  make  an  Entry  of  said  Charter, 
in  the  Records  of  said  State  and  as  we  Trust;  that  Justice  & 
Equity,  is  the  Grand  and  invariable  Bases,  of  your  Honours, 
Determinations,  in  all  matters,  and  things  that  Relate  to  the 
State  in  General,  as  well  as  Single  Communities  ; We  the  more 
Chearfully  Crave  your  Honours  Compliance  with  our  Request ; 
And  as  in  Duty  bound  ; Shall  Ever  pray — 

Dated  in  said  Lebanon  This  loth  Day  of  June,  1786 — 

JiP  Wheatley  Prop*’’®  Clerk — 
By  order  of,  & in  behalf  of  s”  prop*’’® 


388  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[6-41]  \_Relative  to  Towii  Botmdaries.,  i"j86d\ 

To  the  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  convened  at  Concord  the  first 

Wednesday  of  June  AD  1786 

The  Petition  of  Elisha  Payne  of  Lebanon  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  Esq*"  agent  for  the  Proprietors  of  the  Township  of 
Lebanon  aforesaid,  & Jesse  Johnson  of  Hampstead  in  the 
County  of  Rockingham  Esq''  agent  for  the  township  of  Enfield 
in  said  County  of  Grafton — Humbly  shews  that  the  Proprietors 
of  Lebanon  & Enfield  aforesaid  for  the  amicable  settlement  of 
divers  suits  & controversies  have  appointed  your  Petitioners  as 
their  Agents  to  request  your  Honors  to  empower  & authorize 
three  persons,  hereafter  to  be  named  by  your  Petitioners,  to  be 
a Committee  with  full  power  & authority  to  settle  & establish 
the  boundaries  & lines  between  the  Towns  aforesaid — And  that 
if  any  person  or  persons  who  have  purchased  lands  of  any  of 
the  proprietors  of  Enfield  should  fall  within  the  limits  of  the 
Township  of  Lebanon  the  said  proprietors  of  Lebanon  shall 
relinquish  all  right  to  such  lands  to  such  purchaser  or  purchas- 
ers upon  their  paying  the  value  of  said  Lands  estimating  the 
same  as  wild  unimproved  Lands — & so  vice  versa  if  any  person 
or  persons  who  purchased  lands  of  the  proprietors  of  Lebanon 
should  fall  within  the  limits  of  Enfield. 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Concord  i6‘^  June  1786 

Elisha  Payne 
Jesse  Johnson 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  16,  1786,  the  foregoing  petitioners 
were  granted  “ leave  to  bring  in  a bill.”  The  following  is 
the  committee’s  report : — Ed.] 

[6-42]  \^Report  of  Com77iittee  07i  Boimdaries^  77(5*<5.] 

State  of  New  Hamp''®  Grafton  ss 

Whareas  we  the  Subscribers  Being  Oppinted  a Committee 
by  the  Honor^^  General  Assembly  of  said  State  to  Establish  the 
Boundaris  between  the  towns  of  Lebanon  and  Enfield  have 
meet  acordingly  upon  said  towns  and  after  Due  Examination 
of  the  Bounds  and  Lins  of  s*^  towns  of  Lebanon  and  infield, 
Porceeded  as  foloweth  firstly  begain  at  a white  Pine  tree  marked 
on  the  Easterly  Bank  of  Conacutt  River  which  is  Caled  the 
agreement  tree  between  s*^  Lebanon  and  Plainfield  and  thence 
mesured  easterly  on  the  line  Between  s*^  Lebanon  and  Plainfield 


LEBANON. 


389 


six  milds  to  a Stake  and  Stone  Comonly  Known  by  the  name 
of  Sumners  Bound  then  Examined  the  Lins  and  Records 
Shewen  us  Between  Lebanon  and  Enfield  and  find  a Bound 
Standing  at  the  Northeasterly  Corner  of  s*^  Lebanon  Comonnly 
Known  by  the  name  of  the  Birch  tree  but  s^  tree  being  fell 
Down  a Stake  and  Stons  Eracted  in  the  place  whare  said  Birch 
tree  stood  ; and  we  Do  Establish  the  first  said  Stake  and  Stons 
Coled  Sumnors  Bound  to  be  a Bound  between  s^  Lebanon  and 
infield  on  the  Southerly  Side  of  s*^  towns,  and  the  said  Birch 
tree  (now  Stake  and  Stons)  to  be  the  northerly  Bounds  between 
s*^  Lebanon  and  infield  and  Do  order  that  a Strat  Line  be 
Drawen  betvv^een  s^  Sumnors  Bond  and  said  Birch  tree  or  Stake 
standing  in  the  place  of  said  Birch  to  be  the  Deviding  Line 
between  said  Lebanon  and  said  infield,  and  have  Recommended 
to  said  Committee  to  settle  with  all  Pursons  who  are  on  Land 
in  ether  of  s*^  towns  which  shall  fall  out  of  the  town  which  he 
settled  in  the  best  way  which  thay  Can  acording  to  ower  orders 
from  s*^  Gen^*  assembly 

which  is  Humbly  Submited 

October  y*^  23  : 1 786 — 

Charles  Johnston") 

Jeremiah  Page  Committee 
Moses  Chase  \ 


[6-43]  [ Certificate  of  Nails  7nade^  lygi 

This  certifies  that  Daniel  Robinson  of  Lebanon  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Grafton  and  State  of  New  Hampshire  has  made  or  caused 
to  be  made  three  hundred  thousand  of  wrought  ten  penny  nails 
between  the  eighth  day  of  Leb^  Anno  Domini  17S9  and  the 
twentieth  day  of  Jan^  current — 

In  Witness  whereof  the  Selectmen  of  s*^  Lebanon  hereunto 
set  their  hands  & Seals  & the  nearest  justice  of  the  peace  coun- 
tersigns this  28‘^  day  of  Jan^  Anno  Domini  1791 

Jesse  Cook  ) Selectmen 

Stephen  Billings  j s^  Lebanon 


Feb^  1791 
pounds — 


Attest  Aaron  Hutchinson  Jus.  pacis 
Received  an  Order  on  the  Treasurer  for  fifteen 

JoiP  Freeman 


390 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


LEE. 

The  township  was  set  off  from  Durham  Jan.  i6,  1766, 
and  incorporated  with  full  town  privileges,  by  the  name  of 
the  “Parish  of  Lee.”  For  petition,  see  Vol.  XI,  pp.  584, 
586.  “Joseph  Syas  GenP”  was  authorized  to  call  the  first 
meeting. 

A dispute  arose  concerning  the  south  boundary  line  of 
Lee  and  Durham,  which  was  settled  by  an  act  approved 
June  19,  1818,  establishing  the  line  as  follows:  “A  straight 
line  from  an  ancient  red  oak  tree,  being  the  south  corner 
bounds  of  the  town  of  Nottingham,  and  the  western  bound- 
ary between  said  Lee  and  Epping,  to  a large  picked  rock 
in  the  south  butment  of  Durham  and  Lamperell  River 
bridge  so  called,  beginning  at  said  red  oak  tree,  and  running 
south  eighty-three  degrees  east,  nine  hundred  and  fifty-five 
rods  to  the  easterly  line  of  Epping  and  the  westerly  line  of 
Newmarket ; thence  the  same  course  four  hundred  and 
eighty-seven  rods  to  the  westerly  line  of  Durham,  thence 
the  same  course  six  hundred  and  ninety  eight  rods  to  the 
aforesaid  picked  rock.” 


[R.  2-186]  \_Relative  to  Edward  Dearborn^  Soldier:  ad- 
dressed to  the  Ge7ieral  Courts 

The  Petition  of  Samuel  Snell  of  Lee  in  the  County  of  Straf- 
ford, & State  afores*^  most  Humbly  Sheweth,  that  on  the  32*^ 
of  December  last,  one  Edward  Dearborn  (brother  to  your  peti- 
tioners wife)  a Soldier  belonging  to  Cap^  John  Drew’s  Com- 
pany in  CoP  Hale’s  Regiment,  in  the  Continental  Service, 
who  was  wounded  in  Battle  on  the  of  October  last  at  Sara- 
toga, came  to  your  petitioners  house  in  distressed  Circumstan- 
ces, a Musket  Ball  had  pierced  thro’  his  arm  above  his  elbow, 
he  was  poor,  without  money  or  Friend  to  assist  him  unless 
your  petitioner  had  taken  care  of  him.  * * 

Samuel  Snell — 

[He  was  attended  by  Dr.  Marshall,  of  Lee,  whose  bill, 
amounting  to  sixteen  dollars,  he  asked  to  have  the  state  pay, 
and  it  was  granted. — Ed.] 


LEE. 


391 


|]R.  2-187]  \_Edward  Leathers’ s Order ^ iy84.~\ 

Lee  Dec^  10  1784 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Sir  Please  to  pay  Daniel  Cook  or  order  all  that  is  due  to 
My  Sun  Edward  Leathers  he  having  been  a Soldier  in  the  2^ 
New  Hampshire  Reg‘ — Value  Rec'^  Witness  my  hand 

his 

Witness — Edward  X Leathers 

mark 

Joseph  Chesle  Sarah  Chesle 


[6-44]  \^Dr.  y antes  Brackett  recotutnefided  for  a Alagis- 

trate^ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  the  HoiP^®  the  Council  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 


The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants 
•of  the  Town  of  Lee  in  the  County  of  Straflbrd,  humbly 
Shews — 

That  many  conveniences  would  attend  the  Appointment  of 
another  Justice  of  Peace  in  said  town,  the  Justice  already 
appointed  living  at  one  extreem  part  of  said  town  which  is 
large. — 

We  therefore  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  & honours  that 
Dr.  James  Brackett  of  said  town  may  be  appointed  and  com- 
missioned a Justice  of  Peace  for  said  county  of  Strafford  and 
your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray — 

Lee  August  1785 — 


Reuben  Hill 
Thomas  Langley 
Sam^  Sawyer 
Elijah  Cartlan 
George  Tuttle 
Samuel  Mathes 
william  gleden 
Smith  Emerson 
Ranah  Bickford 
Aaron  Davis 
George  Dutch 
Jeremiah  Lad 
Richard  Martin 
George  Curtis 
Miles  Randel 
Josiah  Dow 


Samuel  Emerson 
Aaron  Hanson 
George  Shaw 
Ebenezer  Samborn 
John  Layn 
Willi”®  French 
Josiah  Bartlet 
Enoch  folsom 
John  Stevens 
James  Davis  Juiff 
Andrew  Watson 
Samuel  Smith 
Micaih  Bickford 
Anthony  Pickerin 
James  Smith 
Job  Runels 


Miles  Runels 
Richard  Elliot 
Joseph  Sias 
Paul  Giles 
Josiah  Durgan 
Jonath  Clark 
Samuel  gleden 
Joseph  Randel 
Timothy  Langley 
Joseph  meder 
John  kinston 
Clement  Davis 
John  Davis 
Elijah  Fox 
Joseph  Follet 
Levi  Langley 


392 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


James  Pickering 
William  Waymouth 
amos  Furneld 
Fracis  Mathes 
Josiah  Bodge 


Thomas  Huckins 
Micah  Emerson 
Samuel  Watson 
Asa  Folsom 
Winthrop  Frost 


Jonathan  Thompson 
Gideon  Mathes 
Beniamin  Bodge 
David  Davis 


[6-45] 


\_Assessment  List  for  Taxes^ 


Joseph  Sias  Esq*"  Jonathan  Stevens 
Samuel  Emerson  Lieu*  David  Davis 
Thomas  Huckins  Eliphalet  York 
William  Gledden  Henry  Tufts 
William  Waymoth  Widow  Mary  Bryant 
Andrew  Watson  David  Wiggin 
Robert  Thompson  Nathaniel  Stevens 


Elijah  Fox 
George  Dutch 
Timothy  Moses 
Samuel  Chapman 
Enoch  Folsom 
Ens"  Samuel  Smith 
Ephraim  Davis 
Aaron  Kinnison 
William  White 
Ens^  Josiah  Dow 
Simon  Huckins 


Jun’’ 

John  Davis  JuiF 
Ens"  Josiah  Burleigh 
James  York 
Joseph  Duda 
Philbrook  Barker 
Lieu*  Zaccheus 
Clough 

William  Jenkins 
Samuel  Mathes 
Miles  Randel  Esq^ 


Josiah  Durgin  Jun’’  Thomas  Langley 


John  Bunker 
George  Curtis 
Amos  Fernald 
John  Mathes 
David  Rundlet 
John  Hide 


John  Davis 
Aaron  Hanson 
CoP  Samuel  Chesle 
Cap*  Robert  Parker 
James  Jenkins 
Christopher  Faxon 


Widow  Sarah  Huck-  Cap*  Jonathan  Lang- 


ms 

Cap*  Reuben  Hill 
Samuel  Watson 
John  Kennison 
Charles  Rundlet 
William  French 
Jonathan  Dow 
Jonathan  Runals 
Widow  Sarah  Raw’- 


ley 

Lieu*  Miles  Runals 
Thomas  Tufts 
Thomas  York 
James  Davis 
Ichabod  Hilton 
John  Tash 
Lieu*  John  Folsom 
Nicholas  Duda 
John  Stevens 


lins 

DocP  James  Brackett  Joseph  Burleigh 
Edward  Woodman  Fernald  Wallace 


Job  Randel 
Ranah  Bickford 
John  Mitchel 
Ebenezer  Harvey  J 
Ebenezer  Hill 
John  Randel 
Benjamin  Elliot 
Thomas  Langley 
Jun' 

Benjamin  Clark 
Daniel  Chesle 
John  Snell 
Lieu*  Aaron  Davis 
Lemuel  Chesle 
Joseph  Clay 
Cap*  John  Layn 
Aaron  Leathers 
John  Glover  JuiF 
Solomon  Emerson 
Esq”" 

Simon  Randel  Jun*^ 
Isaiah  Williams 
John  Leathers 
Joseph  Clay  JuY 
Paul  Leathers 
Nathaniel  Callwell 
Thomas  Noble 
Micah  Emerson 
Moses  Davis  JuiF 
Israel  Babb 
Joseph  Randel 
George  Shaw 
Samuel  Thompson 
John  Pitman 
Benjamin  Jones 
Maj*’  John  Demerit 
Simon  Randel 
Benjamin  Bodge 


LEE. 


393 


Thomas  Tuttle 
Moses  Davis 
John  Page 
Thomas  Kinnison 
Thomas  Rawlins 
John  Hill 
Jeremiah  Ladd 
Francis  Mathes 
Joseph  Roberson 
Joseph  Tuttle 
Josiah  Batchelder 
Benjamin  Mathes 
Widow  Susanna 
Durgin 

Joseph  Emerson 
Tobias  Cartlan 
Widow  Abigail 
Pickering 
Josiah  Kinnison 
Joseph  Meeder 
Gideon  Mathes 
Joseph  Cartlan 
Jonathan  Rawlins 
Lieu‘  Joseph  Brack- 
ett 

Josiah  Durgin 
William  Rawlins 
James  Brackett 
Samuel  Sawyer 
Joshua  Burnham 
Jun’^ 

Dennet  Waymoth 
Samuel  Gledden 
Phinehas  Sanborn 
W i n t h r o p W i gg  i n 
Lieu‘  Asa  Folsom 
Thomas  Badger 
Mark  Spinney 
John  Rundlet 
Jeremiah  Dutch 
Peletiah  Thompson 
Samuel  French 
Cap‘  George  Tuttle 
Nathaniel  Stevens 


Ens"  Jonathan 
Thompson 
Lieu*  Job  Runals 
Nathaniel  Clough 
Samuel  Llill 
Samuel  Bickford 
Ebenezer  Jones 
Daniel  Shaw 


David  Munsey 
John  Williams 
Wille  Llill 
Matthias  Jones 
Anthony  Jones 
William  Leathers 
Solomon  Emerson 
Jun' 


Cap*  Josiah  Bartlet  Timothy  Glover 
Ebenezer  Burnam  Josiah  Bodge 
Cap*  Timothy  Emer-  Moses  Lamos 


son 

Ricard  Elliot 
William  Bly 
Richard  Martin 
Elias  Critchet 
Ebenezer  Randel 
John  M‘^Crillis 
Lieu*  Andrew  Hilton 
Samuel  Durgin 
Cap*  Hubartus  Neal 
Jim' 

James  Pickering 
James  Davis  JuiF 
Samuel  Burleigh 
Jacob  York 
LIunkin  Dame 
William  Laskey 
Samuel  Langley 
Lieu*  Paul  Giles 
Joseph  Follet 
Widow  Mary  Jones 
Ens"  Micajah  Bick- 
ford 

Clement  Davis 
Eli  Furber 
Samuel  Williams 
John  Jenkins 
Nathaniel  Llart 
Hunkin  Faxson 
Walter  Philbrook 
Daniel  Smith 
Thomas  Hill 
Dodifer  Plummer 


Samuel  Clay 
Ezra  Clark 
Deacon  Joshua  Burn- 
ham 

John  Sias 
James  G Bunker 
Jonathan  Warner 
Esq^ 

Elijah  Cartlan 
Beniamin  Elliot 
Joseph  Chesle 
Cap*  Smith  Emerson 
Edward  Leathers 
Widow  of  Joseph 
Stevens 
John  Jones 
John  Williams  JuiF 
Edward  Llill 
William  Callwell 
Andrew  Torr  Esq*^ 
Ebenezer  Thompson 
Esq’' 

Widow  Lois  Pinkum 
David  Munsey  JuiL 
Ezekiel  Wille  JutP 
Nathaniel  Randel 
Isaac  Williams 
Ebenezer  Chesle 
Gideon  Garland 
Robert  York 
Lieu*  Winthrop  Frost 
Timothy  Langley 


A true  Coppy  Attest — 


Josiah  Dow  ] Select  Men 
James  Brackett  j of  Lee 


394 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[The  original  list  contains  the  amount  of  “ Foreign  Debt, 
Domestic  Debt,  State  Debt,”  assessed  against  each  man. — 
[Ed.] 


[6-46]  S^Notice  of  a Meeting  of  Alarm-men^  77^7.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

The  Gentle-Men  belonging  to  the  alarme  List  in  the  Parish 
of  Lee  are  Desired  to  attend  at  the  House  of  Elijah  Cartlan  in 
said  Parish  on  Tuesday  the  Seventeenth  Day  of  April  Current 
at  Two  of  the  Clock  in  after  Noon,  For  to  Chuse  the  Necessary 
officers  for  to  Command  said  Company 
Nottingham  April  4^^  1787 

Tho®  Bartlett : B.  General 
[ Officers  Chosen  at  said  Meeting 

Strafford  ss  Lee  April  17^^  ^7^7 

at  a Meeting  Duly  Notified  & heald  in  Lee  on  the  said  17*^ 
Day  of  april  for  the  Choise  of  officers  to  Command  the  Com- 
pany of  alarame  List  in  said  Town  the  Votes  being  Called  for 
& Brought  in  it  appeared  that  George  Tuttle  was  Chosen  to 
Command  said  Company  Cap*  John  Layn  for  the  Second  officer 
M'  Josiah  Dow  for  the  third  officer 

attest  Tho®  Bartlett  B.  G 


[6-47]  \^yob  Runnels  recommended for  a Magistrate^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire — Strafibrd  ss — 

We  the  Subscribers  Do  humbly  petition  that  his  Excelency 
and  the  hon®  Senate  would  Anominate  and  Appoint  Lieu*  Job 
Runels  of  Lee  to  Be  a Civil  Magistrate  in  the  Lower  part  of 
the  Parish  there  being  No  justice  of  the  piece  within  five  Miles 
of  the  above  Named  & therefore  we  do  humbly  pray  that  your 
honours  would  Grattify  our  desires — 

Dated  at  Lee  this  19*^  December  AD  1789 


Richard  Elliot 
Jn»  Footman 
Levi  Langley 
Samuel  Smith 
Sam  Chapman 
John  Chesley 
Joseph  Randel 


Jonathan  Runals 
Christo''  Faxon 
Amos  Furnald 
Sam*  Burley 
Valentine  mathes 
Fancies  Mathes 
Israel  Bunam 


Sam*  Hill 
Ebenezer  Randel 
Abraham  mathes 
John  Sias 
Clement  Davis 
John  Clough 
John  williams  3** 


LEE. 


395 


Samuel  Follet 
William  Clough 
Nathan  Runels 
Benj  Elliot 
Mark  Hill 
James  Davis  Se 
Anthony  Jones 
Joseph  Burley 
Jonathan  Runals 
Juner 

Reuben  Hill 
Nathanel  Stevens 
D avid  Davis 
John  Leathers 


Miles  Runels 
Joseph  Follet 
Jonathan  Randel 
John  Randel 
Aaron  Bickford 
George  Tuttle  Juner 
James  Harvey 
Thomas  Langly 
Daniel  Watson 
Pelatiah  thompson 
Josiah  Burleigh 
George  Tuttle  Sen 
James  Davis  Ju' 
David  Munsey  Juner 


Hunking  Faxson 
Jonathan  Thompson 
Thomas  Langley 
Mosses  Firen 
Nathaniel  Stevens 
Josiah  Bodge 
Josiah  Durgin 
Thomas  Noble 
Nathaniel  Randel 
Jacob  York 
Jonathan  Stevens 
John  Drew 
David  Bunker 


[6-48]  \_Paul  Giles  reco^nmended^  iy8g.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  the  FIoiP^  the  privy  Coun 
cil  of  said  State — 


The  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Lee,  finding 
great  inconveniences  arise  from  the  want  of  a Civil  magistrate 
near  the  Centre  of  business  in  said  Town,  would  request  your 
Excellency  & Honor  that  some  suitable  person  may  be  Com- 
missioned of  the  peace — and  if  it  would  not  appear  too  assuming, 
would  beg  leave  to  mention  Cap‘  Paul  Giles  as  a man  calcu- 
lated to  give  universal  satisfaction  to  the  Inhabitants  in  said 
Office — 

Your  Excellency’s  & Honors  attention  to  this  request  will 
greatly  oblige  Your  veiy  humble  Servants — 


Lee  Ocf  22^  1789* 

Jonathan  Thompson 
William  Jenkins 
Andrew  Hilton 
Joseph  Chesley 
Sam^  Wigglesworth 
Jonathan  Dow 
John  Clough 
John  Jenkins 
John  williams  Jur 
Simon  Huckins 
William  Waymoth 
Simon  Randel 
Nathaniel  Randel 
John  Snell 


John  Jones 
Nathaniel  Calwell 
Winthrop  Frost 
Edward  Leathers 
Josiah  Durgin 
James  Jenkins 
Josiah  Durgin  Junr 
William  French 
Dodavah  Plumer 
Josiah  Huckins 
David  Davis 
Daniel  Chesle 
Aaron  Leathers 


Edward  Hill 
Josiah  Dow 
James  Davis  JY 
Thomas  Randel 
George  Dutch 
Aaron  Davis 
Ranah  Bickford 
John  williams 
John  Stevens 
Clement  Davis 
Ichabod  Whidden 
John  Chesle 
John  Sias 


396 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


LEMPSTER. 

The  township  was  granted  Jan.  i,  1753,  to  Samuel  Clark 
Pain  and  others,  by  the  name  of  Dupplin.  This  grant  was 
made  four  days  later  than  the  grant  of  Acworth,  and  prob- 
ably for  the  same  purpose. 

No  settlements  were  made  under  this  grant,  neither  were 
any  attempted  or  expected.  A re-grant  of  the  territory  was 
made  Oct.  5,  1761,  to  Benadam  Gallop  and  others.  The 
conditions  of  this  grant  were  not  fulfilled  in  the  matter  of 
settlements,  and  another  grant  was  made  Jan.  5,  1767,  to 
Dudley  Woodbridge  and  others,  in  sixty-seven  equal  shares. 
Settlements  were  made  under  this  grant,  by  people  from 
Connecticut,  about  the  year  1770;  and  in  January,  1772, 
there  were  eight  families  in  town,  not  enough,  however,  to 
comply  with  the  conditions  of  the  grant,  and  on  the  21st  day 
of  that  month  the  time  for  completing  the  ‘ settlement  was 
extended  three  years.  See  petition,  Vol.  IX,  p.  466. 

By  an  act  passed  Dec.  27,  1791,  the  north-east  part  of  the 
town  was  set  off,  and,  with  portions  of  Unity,  Newport,, 
Fishersfield  (Newbury),  Wendell  (Sunapee),  incorporated 
into  the  town  of  Goshen. 

The  jurisdictional  line  between  this  town  and  Washing- 
ton was  settled  by  an  act  approved  Nov.  27,  1812. 


[6-49]  \_Relaflve  to  the  ToiV7t' s ^uota  of  Soldiers^  77<?J.] 

To  the  Honourable  General  Assembly  to  be  holden  at  Concord 
on  tuesday  the  Twenty  Eighth  Day  of  this  present  October, 
we  your  Humble  and  Dutiful  petitioners  the  Town  of  Lemp- 
ster  beg  leave  to  lay  before  your  Honours  a matter  Respecting 
an  Extent  now  Against  s*^  Town  for  Sixty  pounds  the  One  half 
of  which  we  pray  may  be  taken  of  and  we  flatter  our  Selves 
that  when  your  Honours  Understand  the  matters  as  they  are 
you  will  Release  s^  Town  therefrom  the  matters  of  fact  are 
as  follows  that  Some  time  in  the  Year  1778  we  Received  Orders 
from  his  Hon’’  General  Bellows  to  Join  in  with  the  Town  of 
Acworth  and  Raise  one  man  for  three  Years  or  during  the  war 
to  serve  for  Both  Towns  and  Accordingly  we  Agreed  with  one 
Mathew  Grear  for  three  years  and  paid  s^^  Grear  About  forty 
Pounds  as  our  half  of  his  bounty  and  Cap*  Keyes  of  Acworth 
Agreed  to  go  with  the  s'*  Grear  to  the  muster  master  and  have 
him  mustered  and  set  to  the  Town  of  Lemster  but  Contrary  to 


LEMPSTER. 


397 


that  had  him  set  to  the  Town  of  Acworth  and  Returned  for 
them  and  the  Grear  in  a few  months  After  inlisted  During 
the  war  whereby  the  Town  of  Lemster  were  intitled  to  the  one 
half  of  s'^  Grear  and  in  1782  Each  Town  made  a Return  of  s*^ 
Grear  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  s^^  Committee  gave  Us  a 
Citation  for  s*^  Acworth  to  Appear  and  give  Reasons  if  any  they 
have  why  the  Town  of  Lemster  should  not  hold  s*^  Grear  but 
Advises  us  to  Agree  with  s^  Acworth  and  we  went  and  Agreed 
with  the  Selectmen  of  Acworth  to  have  one  half  of  s'^  Grear 
Credited  to  s*^  Lemster  and  the  Other  half  to  s*^  Acworth 
Carried  their  Certificate  for  that  purpose  but  the  s*^  Comittee 
said  they  could  not  Divide  a man  and  so  Laid  the  wdiole  of  s*^ 
penalty  on  the  Town  of  Lemster  and  now  w^e  Request  no  more 
of  your  Honours  Only  to  Divide  s^^  Extent  and  The  s^  Lemster 
to  pay  but  One  half  as  they  that  were  of  Acworth  Requested 
the  Hon^^®  Committee  of  Safety  to,  And  w'e  your  Dutiful  Peti- 
tion Shall  Ever  pray — 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Nov.  8,  1783,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


The  Number  of  Ratable  Polls  in  the  Town  of  Lemster  Twen- 
ty one  years  old  & upwards  is  fifty  three  to  be  Returned  persu- 
ant  to  the  with  in  Order  taken  by  us 


To  the  Holin'®  Council — 

Gentlemen — 

as  their  is  a Veakency  in  Lancaster  for  a Justice  of  the  peace 
I as  a Representative  for  that  Town  have  taken  Sum  pains  to  In- 
quiar  who  is  the  fittest  person  for  that  Office,  and  the  people 
Differ  Sum  in  Sentiment — But  Capt  w illiam  Cary  and  mr  Elijah 
frink  is  held  up  to  Vew — as  proper  persons  Either  of  them  for 
that  office — 


[6-52]  \^Retur?i  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 


Jabez  Beckwith  >-  Select  Men 


Allen  Willey 


Elijah  Frink  ) 


[^■■53]  \_Civil  Magist^'ate  warited^ 


398 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Leaven  it  to  your  Honours  to  Apint  One  of  them  as  you  in 
your  wisdom  think  fit — 

Daniel  grout 

Concord  febuary  17S5 


[6-54]  \_Assessment  List^ 

To  J T.  Gilman  Esq"^  Treasurer  for  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— A copy  of  the  proportion  of  the  Foreign  Domestic  & 
State  Debt — for  the  Town  of  Lemster  made  by  us  the  Sub- 
scribers— 


Allen  Willey  ) 
Tabez  Beckwith  V 
Elijah  Frink  ) 


Lemster  June  5, 


Allen  Willey 
Abraham  Davis 
Benjamin  Bushe 
Comfort  Wilcox 
Daniel  Chappel 
David  Taylor 
Elijah  Bingham 
Eleazer  Cary 
Eli  Hull 
Freegrace  Booth 
Harris  Bingham 
Isaac  Tatten 
James  Bingham 
Jabez  Hurd 
James  Rich 
John  Way 
Milan  Hebard 
Nathaniel  Way 
Oliver  Carv 
Philermon  Andras 
Richard  Chapman 
Shubael  Hurd 
Sam'  Roundye 
Timothy  Nichols 
Vine  Bingham 
Zacheus  Spencer 


Andrew  French 
George  Atkinson 


Asa  Hebard 
Alvin  Roundye 
Barnabas  Phelps 
Calvin  Bingham 
Daniel  Noyes 
David  Willey 
Elijah  Frink 
Eliot  Cary 
Elizabeth  Jackson 
Francis  West 
Hezekiah  Huntley 
Israel  Smith 
Jabez  Brainerd 
Jonathan  Prentis 
John  Scott 
John  Way  Ju’’ 
Niles  Beckwith 
Nathan  Willey 
Oliver  Booth  Ju’’ 
Peter  Lowell 
Resolved  Wheeler 
Sam'  Huntly 
Silas  Bingham 
Urijah  Brainerd 
William  Cary 
Allen  Willey  Ju*" 

Non-resident  owners 

David  Wheler 
John  Sabens 


Andrew  Dodge 
Charles  Willey 
Charles  Miner 
David  Roberts 
Elijah  Abell 
Epaphras  Booth 
Elijah  Frink  Ju'' 
Elisha  Thacher 
Gam'  Huntington 
Isaac  Dodge 
Jabez  Beckwith 
Joshua  Booth 
James  Rogers 
JonatlP  Taylor 
Luther  Martin 
Nathan  Scovil 
Oliver  Booth 
Phinehas  Abell 
Roswell  Bingham 
Reubin  Willey 
Sam'  Nichols 
Tho*  Eggleston 
Uzel  Hurd 
Will™  Story 


John  Ormsby 
Jacob  Arnold 


LEMPSTER. 


399 


Joseph  Beckwith 
Jabez  Avery®  Hr® 
John  Langdon 
John  Avery 
Nathan  Blake 
Tho®  Scovil 
Eben"^  Spaulding 


Joseph  Wilcox 
James  Hickey®  Hr 
John  Ashley 
John  Perkins 
Russel  Miles  Hr® 
William  Iseham 
Eliph*  Barkers  He 


Jacob  Spaulding 
John  Bachelor 
Nath^  Shaws  Hr® 
Shubael  Brainerds 
Hr® 

Israel  Jennings 


[The  original  return  shows  the  amounts  assessed  against 
each  man. — Ed.] 


[6-55]  \_Relative  to  Towfi  Boundaries^ 

To  the  Hon^  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire to  be  convened  at  Concord  on  Wednesday  the  13^’'  day  of 
June  Instant.  The  Petition  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Towns  of 
Lemster  & Marlow  Humbly  sheweth — that  the  Eastern  line  of 
s*^  Towns  being  in  such  a Situation  that  they  cannot  be  Affixed 
So  as  to  give  satisfaction  without  an  Order  from  Your  Hon’’® — 
therefore  the  prayer  of  Your  Petitioners  is  that  the  Hoffi 
Court  make  order  that  the  Surveyor  Geffi  or  his  Dep'"  or  a com- 
mittee be  Appointed  to  settle  S^  lines  at  the  expence  of  S^  pro- 
prietors or  any  other  way  your  Hoffi  Shall  Judge  best  to  An- 
swer the  Above  purpose — 

and  Your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 
Lemster  Jaffi  14,  17SS. 

Allen  Willey 

Jabez  Beckwith 

Elijah  Frink  [Proprietors 

Lemuel  Miller  j Committees — 

Sam®^  Royse 

Sam*^  Canfield 


[6-58]  [ Opposition  to  the  North-east  Corner  Petition^  7/pc>.] 
Lemster  May  17,  1790 

We  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  S^  Lemster  are  opposers  to 
the  Petition  which  was  presented  to  the  General  Court  at  their 
last  Session  praying  that  part  of  S^  Town  might  be  taken  off' 
and  incorporated  with  part  of  Sundry  other  Towns  mentioned 
in  S*^  Petition 

Jabez  Beckwith  Tim°  Miner  James  Bingham 

Phinehas  Abell  Urijah  Brainerd  Peter  Porter 

Elijah  Bingham  James  Rogers  Juffi  Natlf  Rogers 


400 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Sylvester  Abell 
Jabez  Brainerd 
Eli  Hull 
W™  Isham 
Shubael  Hurd 
Cornelius  Wheeler 
Jonath^  Prentis 
Freegrace  Booth 
John  Scott 
Benj"  Phelps 
David  Taylor 
Israel  Smith 
John  Way 
Charles  Miner 
John  Sabin 
W“  Cary 
James  Rogers 


Sam^  Nichols 
Harris  Bingham 
Comfort  Wilcox 
Jabez  Hurd 
Sam'  Roundye 
Niles  Beckwith 
W“  Way 
David  Gordon 
Nath'  Way 
RiclP  Chapman 
Abner  Hoyt 
JonatlP  Taylor 
Benj*^  Way 
Elias  Fisher 
Oliver  Booth 
Oliver  Carv 
Josiah  Rogers 


NatlP  Scovil 
Alvan  Roundye 
Tim®  Nichols 
Tho®  Egelston 
Barnabas  Phelps 
Hezekiah  Huntly 
Oliver  Booth  Jun’’ 
John  Thacher 
Daniel  Bingham 
Barnabas  Philps  Jn*" 
Dan'  Noyes 
Jonathan  Booth 
Sam'  Ayers 
David  Stoddard 
Stickney  Chase 
W™  Cary  Jun’’ 

Sam'  Roundye  JuiF 


Uzel  Hurd  ) Select 
Daniel  Chappel  | men 


[6—57]  \_jRemo?ist?'a?ice  to  having  the  North-east  Cor?zer  set 

off,  77P0.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Honorable  House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court 
to  convene  at  Concord  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January 
next — 

The  Petition  of  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Lemster  liveing  in  that  part  of  Said  Town  which  is  included 
by  a plan  which  was  exhibited  to  the  General  Court  at  their 
session  in  December  last  with  a Petition  signed  by  Daniel 
Grendell  & Others  : which  Petition  Requested  the  Honorable 
Court  to  incorporate  the  Teritory  included  by  Said  plan  into  a 
Township — Your  Petitioners  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Honours 
that  we  are  very  unwilling  to  be  incorporated  as  requested  by 
the  Above  mentioned  Petitioners  that  the  line  will  divide  our 
farms  leaveing  part  in  one  Town  and  part  in  another:  and  if 
ouV  cituation  is  remote  from  the  center  as  is  represented  in  the 
Above  mentioned  Petition  : we  would  inform  your  Honors  that 
we  had  much  rather  live  in  a remote  part  of  the  Town  of  Lem- 
ster than  in  a remote  part  of  their  intended  new  Township — 
Your  Petitioners  are  sure  that  to  divide  the  Town  of  Lemster 
will  be  a very  material  injurv  to  our  own  Interests  & to  that  of 
S*'  Town  in  General — Therefore  your  Petitioners  most  Humbly 
request  your  Honors  that  the  Petition  of  the  Said  Daniel  Gren- 


LEMPSTER. 


401 


dell  and  others  (so  far  as  it  respects  Town  of  Lempster) 
may  not  be  granted  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  Pray 

Lemster  December  25.  1790 — 

Vine  Bingham 
W'“  Story 
David  go r don 
Calvin  Bingham 


[It  seems  that  a petition  had  been  presented  to  the  legis- 
lature to  have  a new  town  formed  from  portions  of  Lemp- 
ster, Unity,  Newport,  and  what  is  now  Sunapee  and  New- 
bury, but  said  petition  and  plan  have  not  been  found.  The 
matter  was  presented  to  the  legislature  again,  as  may  be 
seen  by  the  following  : — Ed.] 


[6-56^]  \^Petitio7i  to  have  the  Nof'th-east  Part  set  and 
voith  otJier  Perritory  incorporated  into  a Pozv?i^  vyp/.] 


To  the  Honrable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  Convened  at  Concord  on  the 

First  Wednesday  of  June  Next, 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitens  of  Lempster 
being  fully  perswaded  that  the  Northeast  Corner  of  the  Town 
of  Lempster  with  a part  of  Sundry  other  Towns  adjoining 
ought  to  be  Incorporated  into  a Town  for  the  Situation  of  the 
Inhabitants  is  Such  that  they  cannot  be  accomodated  without 
great  Damage  to  the  other  parts  of  Said  Town  and  in  our  opin- 
ion it  will  not  hurt  the  Town  of  Lempster  as  the  Situation  of 
Lempster  is  Such  but  will  leave  it  in  a better  Situation  without 
them  than  it  will  to  have  Said  Corner  Continued  as  it  now  is 
and  therefore  your  Petitioners  are  So  fully  Satisfyed  that  it  will 
be  for  the  Interest  of  this  Town  as  well  as  for  the  Peace  and 
happiness  of  the  Same  to  have  them  Set  of  as  Soon  as  may  be 
as  your  Honours  in  your  Wisdom  Shall  See  fit.  And  it  is  our 
opinion  that  the  Town  of  Lempster  will  not  make  any  more 
Opposition  against  it,  And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Pray, 


Lempster  May  y®  24^’'  1791 


John  Thacher 
Charles  Willey 
David  Willev 
Amasa  Loveridge 
Hezekiah  huntle 

2S 


Calven  Frink 
benj  Annass 
Nath'i  Way 
Moses  Huntlev 
Alexander  Hogg 


Allen  Willey 
Ezra  Miner 
Israel  Smith 
John  Hogg 
Silvanus  Noyes 


402 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Benjamin  Bushe 
Peter  Lowell 
Phinehas  Abell 


Resolved  Wheler 
Luther  Frink 
Syk  Abell 


Elijah  Frink 
Elijah  Frink  Jun^ 
Elijah  Abell 


[6-62]  [ Vote  of  the  Tozv7i  7'elative  to  the  foregoing^  7/^/.] 


At  a legal  Town  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Lemster  held  on  Tuesday  the  15  day  of  November 
1791,  in  consequence  of  a Petition’s  being  preferred  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  at  their  Session  in  June  last  wSigned  by  William  Story 
& others  praying  for  part  of  S^  Town  of  Lemster  to  be  Set  of 
with  part  of  Sundry  other  Towms — 

A Vote  being  taken  to  see  whether  the  Towm  were  Opposed 
to  haveing  part  of  Said  Town  taken  off  as  Set  forth  in  the 
Above  mentioned  Petition  it  passed  in  the  Affirmative  by  a 
large  Majority 


(A  true  copy) 
Nov’’  21.  1791 — 


Attest  James  Bingham  Town 


[ Vote  of  the  Tozvn  of  Newport  relative  to  sa7ne.~\ 

This  may  Certify  that  we  have  received  a petition  signed  by 
William  Story  and  others  Praying  that  a part  of  this  Town  may 
be  incorporated  with  parts  of  several  other  Towns  Unity  Lemp- 
ster  Wendell  Fishersfield  and  order  of  Court  thereon 

Newport  October  y®  10*''  ^79^  ^ Legal  Town  meeting  on 

November  the  7^^  the  above  petition  and  order  of  Court  being 
Read  and  there  was  no  objection  against  said  Prayer  being 
Granted 

Jesse  Lane  ) Selectmen 
Uriah  Wilcox  j of  Newport 


[^~59]  [_J\fore  Opposition.^ 

We  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Towm  of  Lemster 
hereby  certify  that  whereas  we  did  not  Attend  cSl  give  our  votes 
at  a Town  meeting  held  in  Lemster  on  the  15,  of  Nov*"  Instant 
to  see  whether  the  Town  would  Oppose  a petition  which  was 
preferred  to  the  General  Court  at  their  Session  in  June  last 
Signed  by  W'^'  Story  & others  praying  that  part  of  S*^  Town 
might  be  set  off — and  as  we  understand  that  the  Town  Voted  to 


LEMPSTER. 


403 


Oppose  the  prayer  of  vS“  Petition’s  being  granted  we  do  there- 
fore fully  Join  with  the  Town  in  Vote  as  we  think  it  unjust 
& unreasonable  that  the  prayer  of  Petition  so  far  as  it  Effects 
the  Town  of  Lemster  should  be  granted — 


Lemster  Nov^  21 

Richard  Chapman 
Elias  Fisher 

his 

Niles  X Beckwith 

mark 

Sam^^  Silsby 
Benj'‘  Way 


1791— 

Tosiah  Rogers 
Eli  Hull 
Jabez  Brainerd 
Benj*^  phelps 
W'"  Isham 
Tho*  Way 


Cornelous  Wheeler 
Jabez  Beckith 
Vine  Porter 
Barnas  phelpes  Jur 
John  Way 
John  Sabin 


[Depositions  of  Peter  Porter,  Nathan  Willey,  Charles 
Willey,  and  Allen  Willey  were  introduced,  from  which  it 
appears  that  one  reason  why  the  town  opposed  the  separa- 
tion was  the  extra  tax  it  would  be  on  those  who  remained 
to  support  Rev.  Elias  Fisher.  A compromise  was  effected, 
however,  as  will  appear  b}^  the  following  document.  Por- 
tions of  the  several  towns  were  taken,  and  incorporated  into 
a town  by  the  name  of  Goshen,  December  27,  1791. — Ed.] 


[6-60]  \^Portion  proposed  to  be  take^i  fro7ti  Le7npster  to 

fo7'77i  a New  TowTid^ 

The  part  taken  from  the  Town  of  Lemster  to  begin  at  the 
Northwest  corner  of  lot  N®  25,  2*^  division  thence  to  the  north- 
west corner  of  lot  N°  29,  of  S'^  2*^  division  thence  to  the  North- 
east corner  of  lot  thence  Southwesterly  to  the  Southeast 
corner  of  lot  N®  33  of  the  'P  Division  thence  on  a Strait  line  to 
the  Northwest  corner  of  the  Town  of  Washington — 

That  the  contract  with  the  Rev*^  Elias  Fisher  be  held 
sacred  & fulfill’d  by  those  persons  liveing  in  S^^  Lemster  includ- 
ed within  the  lines  Above  mentioned  in  the  same  manner  as  tho 
they  had  remained  a part  of  the  Town  of  Lemster — 

Agreed  on  by — 

James  Bingham  for  Lemster 
Elijah  Frink  for  the  Petitioners 


404 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


LINCOLN . 

The  township  was  granted  January  31,  1764,  to  James 
Avery  and  others  in  seventy-one  equal  shares.  It  is  a 
mountainous  tract  of  land,  and  but  few  settlements  have 
ever  been  made  in  the  town,  the  population  numbering  but 
66  in  1880. 


[6-S4]  \_Petition  for  re-gra7it  of  T'ouonship.'\ 

Province  of  New-Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap”  General,  Gov- 
ernor & Commander  in  Chief,  in  & over  his  Majesty’s  Prov- 
ince of  New-Hampshire  & Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  & to 
the  Honorable  his  Majesty’s  Council  for  said  Province. 

The  Petition  of  Stephen  IMaynard  of  Westbury  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  & Associates  unto  your  Excel- 
lency & Honors  humbly  shews. 

That  your  Petitioner  & Associates  are  desirous  of  settling  a 
Tract  of  his  Majesty’s  unappropriated  Lands  within  said  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  of  the  Contents  of  six  Miles  square 
being  the  same  Tract  which  was  granted 

to  a humber  of  Grantees  by  the  Name  of  Lincoln,  who  hav® 
fail’d  to  fulfill  any  part  of  the  Conditions  of  their  said  Grant  it 
now  remains  forfeited  & reverts  to  his  Majesty  Wherefore  your 
Petitioner  in  behalf  of  himself  & his  said  Associates  humbly 
Prays  your  Excellency  & Honors  would  be  pleased  to  grant  the 
Prayer  of  their  Petitioner  & that  the  said  Tract  of  Land  may  be 
laid  out  by  the  Surveyor  General  & your  Petitioner  be  thereby 
prepared  immediately  to  settle  the  same  under  the  usual  condi- 
tion of  such  Grants  & your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray 

Stephen  Maynard  In  behalf  of  him- 
self & his  Associates 


LISBON. 


This  township  was  first  granted,  August  6,  1763,  to 
Joseph  Burt  and  others  by  the  name  of  Concord.  This 


LISBON. 


405 


grant  was  made,  and  the  town  thus  named,  nearly  two  years 
prior  to  the  incorporation  and  naming  of  Concord  in  the 
county  of  Merrimack.  Very  nearly  the  same  territory  was 
again  granted,  January  31,  1764,  to  John  Fansher  and 
others,  and  named  Chiswick.  Why  this  grant  was  made 
does  not  appear.  It  seems  to  have  been  ignored,  and  the 
township  regranted  at  the  end  of  five  years  from  the  first 
grant,  at  which  time,  October  20,  1768,  the  grantees  failing 
to  fulfil  the  conditions  of  the  same  as  to  settlement,  it  was 
regranted  to  Leonard  Whiting  and  others,  in  ninety-four 
equal  shares,  and  named  Gunthwaite.  The  boundaries  of 
the  latter  grant  varied  somewhat  from  the  former,  but  began 
and  ended -at  the  same  place  in  both.  Settlements  were 
made  by  virtue  of  titles  from  the  grantees  of  1763,  and  some 
by  virtue  of  titles  from  the  grantees  of  1768,  which  natu- 
rally led  to  a bitter  controversy,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  fol- 
lowing documents.  An  act  passed  January  9,  1787,  appoint- 
ing Col.  Charles  Johnstone,  of  Haverhill,  to  call  a meeting 
of  the  proprietors  and  inhabitants  to  choose  officers  to  assess 
and  collect  the  taxes,  contained  the  following:  “Provided 
nothing  in  this  act,  shall  be  construed  to  affect  the  title  of 
any  person  claiming  lands  under  either  the  Grant  made  to 
Gunthwaite  or  Concord.”  The  town,  which  was  incorpo- 
rated in  its  last  grant  by  the  name  of  Gunthwaite,  assumed 
the  name  of  Concord,  and  in  state  papers  was  alluded  to  as 
“ Concord  alias  Gunthwaite,”  and  later  as  “Concord  in  the 
county  of  Grafton,”  until  June  14,  1824,  when  it  was 
changed  to  Lisbon  by  the  legislature. 

By  an  act  approved  June  23,  1859,  ^^at  part  of  Lan- 
daff  lying  north-west  of  Ammonoosuc  river  was  annexed  to 
this  town. 


[6-85]  \_Rep7'ese7itatives  chose7t  to  attend  the  Co7ive7itio7i  at 

Leba7io7t^  ^777*] 

At  a meating  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Gunthwaite  Held  att  the 
House  of  Cap*  John  Young 
Jan^  30*^'  1777 

I®*  Voted  M*"  John  Young  J*'  Chairman  of  S'*  meeting 
2*“''  Cap*  Luther  Richardson  Clerk 
3**  Voted  that  we  send  a Committee  in  Conjunction 
With  the  United  Committee®  of  the  County  of 
Grafton  to  treat  with  the  assemblies  Committee  att 


4o6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Lebenon  on  the  13*’^  of  Feb^  Next  on  the  adjournm* 

Of  the  Counties  Committee  To  bee  held  at  that  time 
And  place 

4^^  Chose  Cap*  John  Young  & M*"  John  Young  jr 
To  Represent  us  at  S'*  Committees  Meeting 
5***  Voted  that  a Coppy  of  our  proceedings  bee 
Transmited  to  the  assemblies  Committee  as 
Soon  as  may  Bee 

John  Young  Chairman 


To  The  Assemblies  Committee  In  Behalf  of  the  Town  of 
Gunthwaite 

John  Young  Committee 
Luther  Richardson  Clarck 


[6-S7]  \_State77ient  of  Co7idltio7i  of  the  Tovo77  a7id  Service  vti 

the  War^  iy86.~\ 

State  of  New-Hampshire  Grafton  ss  JaiF  12**^  1786 

To  the  Hon*  General  Court  of  said  State  to  be  Convend  at 
Portsmouth  on  the  first  Wednsday  of  February  Next  by  Ad- 
journment— 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Concord  in 
said  County  Humbly  sheweth — That  at  the  commencement  of 
the  late  war  with  Great  Britain  there  were  very  few  setlers  in 
said  Town  as  by  Return  herewith  Exhibited  may  appear — all 
which  had  then  very  latly  moov’d  there  from  various  parts  of 
the  Difterant  States — and  it  is  well  known  that  men  of  fortune 
seldom  turn  out  into  uncultivated  parts  of  the  Countiy — there- 
fore conceive  it  unnessary  to  make  mention  that  we  were  poor 
as  well  as  few  in  number  at  that  time  Notwithstanding  when 
the  noise  of  war  was  heard  in  this  part  of  the  State  almost 
Everv  man  in  this  Town  turn’d  out  in  Defence  of  the  Cuntrv, 
and  march’d  to  Canada  under  the  Command  of  Gen*  Mont 
Gomery  for  the  term  of  six  months, — that  a number  of  them 
Inlisted  in  the  service  for  the  year  1776 — at  the  close  of  which 
several  persons  Inlisted  for  three  Years  and  During  the  war — ■ 
some  of  whom  Died  in  service  and  left  their  families  in  very 
poor  Circomstances — 

That  we  never  suppos’d  any  of  those  persons  which  in  fact 
went  from  this  Town  could  be  turn’d  over  for  any  other  Town 
untill  we  had  Credit  for  our  proportion  therefore  rested  very 
easy  knowing  that  we  had  more  than  could  possably  fall  to  our 
Qiiota  of  soldiers  in  service — 

That  we  living  in  the  Exterior  part  of  the  State  Expos'*  to 


I 


LISBON. 


407 


the  Ravage  of  the  savage  Enemy  who  were  dailey  scouting 
among  us,  having  the  promise  of  Bounties  for  prisoners  scalps 
were  many  times  cal’d  out  on  alarms  leaving  women  and 
Children  to  hide  in  the  woods  to  suffer  the  fear  of  being  slain 
bv  the  Enemv 

That  we  built  a fort  in  said  Town  (which  cost  at  least  one 
Ilundred  pounds  to  shelter  ourselves  in)  at  our  own  Ex  pence — 
That  had  it  not  been  for  poverty  (which  in  maiw  Instances 
is  mens  only  protection)  we  should  have  left  the  Town  and 
very  probablv  the  State  long  before  the  close  of  the  war — 

That  Notwithstanding  the  distresses  and  Difficulties  we  have 
Gone  through  in  time  of  war  as  aforesaid  ; we  are  inform’d 
that  there  is  now  an  Extent  out  Ready  to  be  serv’d  on  the 
Selectmen  (if  to  be  found)  in  said  town  to  the  amount  of  two 
Hundred  and  sixteen  pounds  and  twelve  shillings  for  want  of 
our  proportion  of  soldiers  in  said  war — and  that  there  are  very 
large  charges  against  us  for  arrears  of  Taxes — 

all  of  wdiich  we  humbly  conceive  is  very  unjust  Therefore 
most  humbly  pray  that  your  Honours  w'ould  take  our  singular 
and  distressed  case  under  Your  wise  and  serious  Consideration 
and  Grant  us  such  Redress  and  Relief  respecting  the  premises 
as  to  your  Honours  may  appear  just  and  your  petitioners  will 
Ever  pray 

At  a Meating  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  town — Voted  that 
Major  Samuel  Young  be  Requested  to  proceed  to  Portsmouth 
in  Concert  wdth  our  Representative  at  the  Session  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  February  Next — and  lay 
the  foregoing  Petition  before  said  Court — and  doubt  not  but 
every  attention  will  be  paid  thereto  that  the  nature  of  the  case 
Demands — 


Joseph  Dexter 
Will'"  Belknap 
Benj"  Whitcomb 
Paul  Robbins 
Philip  Vorback 
Timothy  Bay  ley 
Robert  Kay 


Caleb  Dexter 
Josiah  Whitcomb 
John  Johnson 
Edward  Mardin 
Samuel  martain 
Jesse  }mung 
David  Young 


Lemuel  Dexter 
John  Whitcomb 
Saiff^  Jameson 
John  Hasseltine 
Joseph  Haynes 
Josiah  Bishop 


1^6-88]  \^Stateinent  of  Tozvn  A fair  77^7.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Grafton  ss — 

Concord  June  12^''  17S7 — 

To  the  Honorable  General  court  of  said  state  now  setting  at 
Concord  in  the  county  of  Rockingham  & state  aforesaid — 
Plumbly  sheweth — 


4o8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  the  proprietors  & Inhabitants  of  said  Concord  setled 
before  the  late  war  & kept  np  thier  settlement  during  the  same 
at  great  risque,  trouble  & expence  on  alarms  scouts  & building 
forts  & garrisons  & in  supplies  &c — 

That  the  Inhabitants,  by  reason  of  persons  living  among  us 
unfriendly  to  the  revolution,  & by  means  of  the  Vermont 
faction — were  not  organized  with  town  officers  till  within  a few 
years  nor  represented  in  the  geffi  Court,  in  consiquence  of 
which  they  laboured  under  very  heavy  arrears  of  Taxes — 
that  the  Inhabitants  within  two  years  last  past  have  been  at 
great  expence,  after  gitting  leagally  organized  with  Town  Offi- 
cers, in  collecting  this  arearage  for  about  two  years  back — stat- 
ing their  extra  Accounts  of  expenditures  during  the  war  & in 
supporting  their  agents  at  the  gen^  Court  about  one  hundred 
Days,  to  effect  a redress  of  greivences  they  labored  under — so 
that  the  geff  Court  in  consideration  of  their  expenditures,  & in 
full  of  their  accounts  were  induced  on  the  2^  of  March  1786  to 
pass  a resolve  abating  about  one  half  of  their  arrearages — & 
enabling  the  select  men  of  said  Concord  to  assess  the  remainder 
which  was  done  & committed  to  the  constable  to  collect  ac- 
cordingly, who  having  collected  a considerable  part  thereof  & 
got  through  the  necessary  rules  established  by  law  in  order  for 
compleatting  the  same,  they  found  themselves  surprisingly  de- 
feated by  an  obscure  Intricate  unintilligible,  & as  we  conceive 
an  unconstitutional  act  passed  at  the  instigation  of  one  Leonard 
Whiting,  calling  himself  agent  of  the  proprietors  of  Gunthwaite 
— & bv  the  more  subtle  insinuations  of  his  advocate  in  framing: 
said  act  in  a very  different  maner  from  what  was  necessary  to- 
releive  from  the  grievence  stated  in  their  pitition  Or  the  prayer 
of  the  same  thereby  involving  your  petitioners  in  matters  & 
consequences  affecting  the  peace  & quiet  of  society  & the  titles 
to  the  land  they  live  upon,  & to  plunge  them  unnessarily  into 
numerous  long  tedious  & oppressive  law  suits  which  we  believe 
was  not  the  Intention  of  the  Legislature,  but  incompassed  by 
the  intrigues  of  said  Whiting,  and  his  Advocate  notwithstand- 
ing it  is  expresly  declared  in  the  last  clause  of  said  act  that 
nothing  therein  contained  shall  any  way  effect  the  title  of  the 
different  Claimants  to  said  Township — But  to  what  purpose  is 
it  to  declare  in  an  act  that  it  shall  not  effect  title  to  lands  when 
the  oppuration  thereof  will  immediately  turn  the  possessors  out 
of  their  Habitations  into  the  uncultivated  woods — and  your 
petetioners  are  still  more  surprized  when  they  experience  the 
purposes,  said  act  is  used  to  effect, — owing  to  the  Intricacy  or 
unintelligableness  thereof,  as  no  inhabitant  upon  the  primises 
was  allowed  to  vote  at  said  meeting  unless  he  wood  acknowl- 
edge himself  a holder  of  land  under  the  regrant,  when  at  the 
same  time  one  person  & a Non  Resident  was  allowed  to  carry 


LISBON. 


409 


twenty  six  votes  without  shewing  title  under  either  Concord  or 
Gunthwaite,  or  that  there  ever  was  a grant  by  the  name  of 
Gunthwaite  or  that  the  persons  he  said  he  acted  for  were  gran- 
tees, if  there  had  been  such  a grant  & the  Inhabitants  possess- 
ing large  farms  were  denied  the  privilage  of  carrying  one  vote 
because  they  wood  not  acknowledge  thier  title  to  be  under 
gunthwaite  grant,  which  they  did  not  know  ever  existed  nor 
was  it  shewn  in  said  meeting — your  petitioners  humble  con- 
ceive that  the  Intintion  of  the  legislature  in  said  act  was  that 
every  Inhabitant  upon  the  premises  shood  have  equal  right 
to  vote  in  said  meeting  with  any  Other  Individual  that  might 
appear  there  let  his  intent  or  agency  be  more  or  less,  as  no 
order  was  made  in  said  act  to  vote  according  to  Intirest — 

Your  petitioners  further  beg  leave  to  Observe  to  your  hon- 
ours that  the  meeting  was  called  on  the  23^^  of  Ivlay  last,  and 
without  any  Clerk  being  chosen  to  record  their  doings,  as  ex- 
presly  pointed  out  in  & by  said  act,  the  meeting  was  declared 
by  the  moderator  to  be  adjourn*^  when  a great  Majority  was 
against  the  adjournment  to  the  Eleventh  of  June  then  next  at 
one  of  the  clock  afternoon  ; & although  vve  supposed  the  ad- 
journment wood  be  Illegal  the  Inhabitants  attended  at  time  & 
place  & there  waited  untill  after  five  Oclock  then  withdrew  to 
their  respective  homes,  at  about  six  Oclock,  the  Moderator  & 
three  persons  not  residents  in  this  Town  appeared  and  said 
they  had  a right  to  negative  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  if 
they  were  present  and  at  about  seven  Oclock  s^^  Meeting  was 
opened  & the  Moderator  proceeded  and  a number  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants not  present  for  reasons  aforesaid  all  of  which  we  humbly 
conceive  to  be  directly  contrary  to  the  laws  of  this  state, 
wherefore  your  petitioners  pray  that  vour  honours  wood  repeal 
said  act  and  declare  the  doings  thereon  to  be  nul  & void  or 
make  the  same  Intiligable  in  such  a way  & manner  as  your 
petitioners  may  enjo}’'  their  natural  rights  & town  privileges 
as  the  law  and  Constitution  in  such  cases  made  & provided 
directs — 

and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 


Isaac  Moore  a nonresident  Pro’’  of  Five  Rights 
John  Baylev  do 

Jacob  Bayley  by  Power  from  Carter  Ward  Apthorp  owning 

twenty  five  rights  under  Concord — 

Nath  Chamberlain  Nonresident  Propri^’’  for  6 Rights — 


Eliphalet  Northey 
Joseph  Haynes  Jr 
Joseph  Haynes 
Philip  Vorbach 
David  young 


Jotham  Shearman 
John  Whetcomb 
James  Shearman 
Edward  mardin 
Joseph  Dexter 


John  Haseltine 
Reuben  Chaffin 
James  Smith 
Robert  Kay 
Benj”  Whetcomb 


410 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Sam^  Young 
Josiah  VVhetcomb 
Ozias  Caswell 
Reuben  Shearman 
John  Jewett 
Joseph  Jewett 


Asa  young 
Ebene’’  Richardson 
John  Young 
John  Vorbach 
Nathaniel  Jewett 
david  jewett 


Samuel  jameson 
Caleb  Dexter 
Lemuel  Dexter 
David  Northey 
SaiY^  Hoyt 


I Benjamin  Sawyer  of  lawful  age,  & Disinterested  person 
testify  & say  that  I was  at  the  House  of  Major  Samuel  young 
in  Concord  alias  Gunthwaite  on  the  eleventh  day  of  June  Cur- 
rent at  work  & wlien  I came  in  to  Dinner  a number  of  the  In- 
habitants of  said  Town  were  assembled  at  said  youngs,  and  I 
understood  that  it  was  on  account  of  an  adjourned  Meeting  of 
the  Proprietors  & Inhabitants  of  said  Town  to  be  holden  at  one 
Oclock  on  said  day,  and  about  six  or  Seven  Oclock  on  the 
same  Day  I was  present  & many  objections  was  made  by  the 
Inhabitants  to  the  Meeting  going  on,  & the  following  are  some 
' of  the  objections,  namely  first  because  there  was,  nor  could  be, 
no  legal  Record  of  the  adjournment  as  no  Clerk  was  chosen  at 
the  first  meeting — 2^  because  a great  number  of  the  Inhabitants 
had  withdrew  to  their  homes  at  about  half  after  five  oclock  the 
Moderator  not  then  being  present  and  one  Captain  Leonard 
Whiting  urged  that  the  Meeting  should  go  on — saying  if  all  the 
Inhabitants  were  present  he  alone  had  a right  to  negative  them, 
the  Moderator  accordingly  proceeded,  & no  one  was  allowed  to 
vote  unless  he  could  be  made  sattisfied  he  owned  an  Interest  in 
Gunthwaite  under  the  Proprietors  thereof,  & in  that  case  to  vote 
in  proportion  to  his  or  their  Interest,  which  proceedings  was 
protested  against  by  a number  of  the  Inhabitants — 

Benj*^  Sawyer 

Grafton  ss  Haverhill  June  15^*^  17S7 — 

Personally  appeared  Benjamin  Sawyer  signer  of  the  foregoing 
Deposition  & after  due  caution  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth 
of  the  same,  Coram 

Jer^  Eames  Just.  Peace 


[6-89]  \_yo/m  Tou7tg  relative  to  Tow7i  Affairs^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  June  22^  ^7^9 — 

To  the  Honorable  General  Court  of  said  State  now  seting  at 
Concord — 

Humbly  sheweth  the  Proprietors  and  Inhabitants  of  Concord 
in  the  County  of  Grafton — That  in  consideration  that  the  said 
Proprietors,  who  are  Setlers,  & the  other  Inhabitants  had  dur- 
ing the  late  war  made  many  Exertions  in  defending  themselves 


LISBON. 


4II 

against  the  common  Enemy,  the  General  Court  of  said  State 
were  Induced,  on  the  2^  day  of  March  1786  to  pass  a Resolve 
abating  about  one  half  of  their  Taxes,  and  enabling  the  Select- 
men to  Collect  the  remainder  from  the  Proprietors, — that  said 
Selectmen  took  the  necessary  steps  for  Collecting  the  same, — 
That  afterward,  namely  on  the  6”'  day  of  JaiP  1787  the  General 
Court  passed  an  act  at  the  request  of  Leonard  Whiting  Esq*' 
nullif3dng  the  proceedings  of  said  Selectmen  upon  said  Resolve, 
and  making  the  said  Inhabitants  liable  to  pay  the  same  again, 
if  the  proceedings  thereon  shall  be  considered  to  be  according 
to  the  Spirit  & meaning  of  said  Act, — Your  Petitioners  beg 
leave  to  make  known  to  your  Honors  that  a Aleeting  by  virtue 
of  said  Act  was  cal’d  on  the  day  of  Alay  last  & by  the 
Moderator  declar’d  to  be  adjourn’d  to  the  eleventh  day  of  June 
then  next,  without  any  Clerk  being  chosen  as  expressly  pointed 
out  in  & by  said  Act — That  notwithstanding  we  conciev’d  no 
legal  Aleeting  could  be  holden  by  virtue  of  such  Decleration, 
the  Inhabitants  attended  at  one  Oclock  on  the  said  eleventh  day 
of  June  which  was  the  Hour  that  the  Aloderator  declar’d  said 
Meeting  to  stand  adjourned  to  and  tarried  there  until  half  after 
five  Oclock,  then  a considerable  number  of  said  Inhabitants 
withdrew  to  their  respectiv'e  homes,  at  six  Oclock  the  Alodera- 
tor appear’d,  & three  persons  with  him,  who  are  not  residents 
in  said  Town,  at  Seven  Oclock  the  Aleeting  was  opened  much 
against  the  will  of  your  Petitioners,  & the  Aloderator  suffered 
said  Nonresidents  to  vote  by  Rights  as  in  Propriety  Aleetings, 
which  we  Concieve  was  not  agreeable  to  the  Spirit  and  mean- 
ing of  said  act,  by  means  of  which  a Clerk  was  chosen  liveing 
out  of  said  Town,  a Alajor  part  of  the  assessors  live  out  of 
Town,  & the  Collector  in  Holies  in  the  County  of  Hillsbor- 
ough,— and  if  the  proceedings  of  said  Aleeting  is  consider’d  to 
be  legal  our  Incorporation  which  has  ben  had  according  to  Law 
is  totally  set  aside, — Your  Petitioners  would  further  beg  leave 
to  add,  that  at  the  time  of  passing  said  act  it  was  not  pretended 
that  any  thing  therein  Contain’d  should  prevent  an\'  legal  voters 
in  town  meetings  from  having  equal  right  to  vote  for  the  choice 
of  their  officers,  & if  there  was  to  be  a negative  b\"  an}"  one 
person  against  all  the  Inhabitants  wlw  were  they  Notify’d  of 
said  Aleeting  ; was  it  to  see  a man  living  an  Hundred  and  forty 
miles  from  said  Town  carry  on  a Aleeting  in  just  such  way  as 
he  might  have  done  in  his  own  Chimne}"  Corner,  for  was  not 
the  Laws  as  Good  for  enabling  the  Proprietors  of  one  Town  to 
call  ProprieU"  Aleetings  as  another,  if  so  then  what  need  was 
there  for  passing  a Special  Law  for  them,  could  they  not  have 
cal’d  a Proprietors  Aleeting  without  said  Act,  to  raise  money 
could  they  not  have  applved  it  for  what  purposes  they  pleas’d,  & 
was  there  any  danger  of  the  Lands  being  sold  for  payment  of 


412 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Taxes  if  they  were  paid  without  such  sale, — but  perhaps  it 
may  be  said  there  is  no  Danger  of  said  Act  being  used  to  affect 
any  bad  purposes,  but  how  can  your  Honors  Determine 
whither  it  will  or  not,  as  there  is  a Dispute  concerning  the 
property  ; then  ought  there  to  be  any  act  of  the  Geff  Court 
against  either  of  the  Grants  we  do  not  mean  to  Impute  any 
thing  to  Your  Honors  in  passing  said  act,  but  only  pray  you 
to  consider  whether  it  is  such  an  one  as  our  Constitution  will 
warrent, — & although  the  greatest  part  of  the  Rights  under  the 
Regrant,  are  own’d  by  persons  who  have  left  the  States  and 
join’d  the  Enemy  thereof  they  expect  to  make  use  of  said  act 
to  Eject  the  Setlers  under  the  Original  Charter,  or  in  some  way 
git  an  advantage  against  them,  notwithstanding  we  have  many 
of  us  ben  Residents  through  the  late  war,  & although  not  one  of 
the  Regrantees  were  in  Town  during  the  same, — 

Therefore  your  Petitioners  pray  your  Honors  to  take  thier 
case  under  your  wise  consideration  & Repeal  said  Act  & de- 
clare the  doings  thereon  to  be  nul  & void,  or  otherwise  order 
& Determine  as  may  appear  just  & your  Petitioners  will  ever 
pi'ay,— 

in  behalf  of  the  Petitioners — 

John  Young  agent 


[6-90]  \_yohn  Young  wants  a Patent  for  Building  CJiim-' 

7teys^  7/p/.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Honorable  General  Court  of  said  State  holden  at  Ports- 
mouth on  the  thirtieth  day  of  November  1791  — 

Humbly  sheweth  John  Young  of  a place  caled  Concord  in 
the  County  of  Grafton  in  the  State  aforesaid — that  Your  Peti- 
tioner has  invented  and  found  out  a method  & Art  of  building 
Chimnies,  & of  altering  those  already  built,  which  will  render 
Chimnys  built  & altered  according  to  his  plan,  intirely  certain 
of  drawing  Smoke — which  art  is  new  and  has  never  been  prac- 
tised in  this  State,  nor  to  the  knowledge  of  your  Petitioner,  in 
any  part  of  the  world — that  the  publication  of  said  art  would 
be  of  great  utility  to  the  public  not  only  as  it  respects  the  77ioral 
certainty  of  Chimnies  drawing  Smoke  when  built  & altered 
according  to  said  plan — but  also  as  it  respects  the  vast  saving 
of  that  very  costl}^  article,  of  fire-wood,  which  may  be  made 
by  having  Chimnies  built  upon  said  plan — because  that  when 
Rooms  are  tight  & well  finished,  the  Chimnies  will  draw  smoke 
as  well,  or  better  than  in  Houses  & Rooms  open  & cold — where- 
fore Your  Petitioner  pray  Your  Honors  to  take  the  premises 


LISBON. 


413 


into  consideration,  & Grant  him  his  heirs  & assigns  the  Sole  & 
exclusive  previledge  of  building  and  altering  Chimneys  accord- 
ing to  his  plan  within  this  State  forever  or  for  such  term  of  time 
as  Your  Honors  please,  or  take  such  order  respecting  the  same 
as  shall  appear  most  proper  & Your  Petitioner  will  ever  pray 

Portsmouth  Nov^  30*^^  ^79^ — 

John  Young 

The  Committee  on  the  within  Petition  report  that  the  prayer 
be  so  far  granted  that  an  exclusive  right  be  given  to  the  Peti- 
tioner for  fourteen  years  & that  he  have  leave  to  bring  in  a Bill 
according — 

W.  PAGE  for  the  Committee 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Dec.  2,  1791,  the  foregoing  report  was 
accepted,  and  on  Dec.  12,  an  act  was  passed  granting  John 
Young  the  exclusive  right  of  building  chimneys  in  the  way 
described  as  his  invention. — Ed.] 


[6-86]  [ Capt.  Samuel  looting's  Petltlo7i^  77^7.] 

To  the  Hon'^^®  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  convened 
at  Concord  & now  setting — 

The  Petition  of  Sam^  Young  of  Concord  in  the  County  of 
Grafton  humbly  shews  that  on  or  about  June  1775  your  Peti- 
tioner for  and  at  the  request  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Concord  and 
other  adjacent  Towns,  made  application  to  the  then  new  hamp- 
shire  Congress  for  ammonition  to  defend  themselves  from  the 
ravages  of  the  enemy  that  he  received  a cask  of  Powder  and 
gave  his  receipt  or  note  therefor  to  be  paid  if  it  was  not  wanted 
for  publick  use,  lead  & flints  your  Petitioner  purchased  & 
transported  them  to  said  Concord  with  the  Powder  and  depos- 
ited said  powder  lead  & flints  in  the  Custody  of  Cap*  Richard- 
son who  was  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  Soldiers  of  his  Com- 
pany if  it  appeared  necessary. — 

that  said  ammonition  was  made  use  of  in  alarms — that  in  the 
year  1776  soon  after  the  defeat  of  General  Montgomery  your 
Petitioner  marched  to  Canada,  that  fire  arms  for  part  of  his 
Company  could  not  be  obtained  that  on  my  arrival  at  S*  Johns 
I made  application  to  the  Commanding  officer  of  that  Garrison 
for  Guns — he  Informed  your  Petitioner  there  was  no  spare  arms 
in  that  garrison,  but  gave  directions  to  purchase  Guns  of  the 
Soldiers  who  had  them  & were  discharg‘d  & on  their  march 
home  your  petitioner  purclP  twenty  six  of  Guns  for  the  use 
of  his  Company  and  gave  from  eight  to  twelve  dollars  apiece 


414 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


for  them — that  when  your  petitioners  Comp’y  was  discharged 
he  agreed  with  a wagoner  to  transport  said  guns  from  Mount 
Independence  to  Charlestown  N°  4 had  made  a chest  & jDut 
them  therein  on  which  Gen^  Gates  ordered  that  they  should  be 
deposited  in  the  stores  or  Magazines  for  the  use  of  the  Army 
and  that  your  petitioner  should  receive  pay  therefor  from  the 
state  of  New  hampshire,  your  petitioners  situation  was  such 
that  he  was  obliged  to  purchase  said  Guns  as  he  had  received 
marching  orders  from  the  commanding  officer  at  S*  Johns  & 
was  obliged  to  deposit  them  in  the  public  stores  & has  not  yet 
been  able  to  git  any  settlement  or  pay  therefor.  * * * 

Concord  i June  1797 

Sam^  Young 

[An  arrangement  was  made  by  the  legislature,  June  15, 
1797.— Ed.] 


LITCHFIELD. 

The  territory  embraced  in  this  town  was  a portion  of  the 
old  Dunstable  grant,  made  by  the  government  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  Oct.  16,  1673,  O.  S.  (Oct.  27,  1673,  N.  S.).  Sev- 
eral “farms”  had  been  granted  in  this  vicinity  prior  to  this; 
one,  of  territory  now  in  Litchfield,  was  granted  to  William 
Brenton,  who  was  afterward  governor  of  New  Jersey,  and 
the  locality  was  known  as  “ Brenton’s  Farm.”  At  the  time 
of  the  Dunstable  grant,  the  Naticook  Indians  occupied  the 
locality  now  known  as  Thornton’s  Ferry,  and  relinquished 
their  claim  to  the  Dunstable  grantees  for  a small  sum  of 
money. 

In  1732  all  of  the  Dunstable  grant  lying  east  of  Merri- 
mack river  was  incorporated  by  the  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts into  a town  by  the  name  of  Nottingham,  which  in 
1734  was  divided,  and  the  north  part  incorporated  by  the 
name  of  Litchfield.  The  settlement  of  the  province  line 
in  1741  decided  the  territory  to  be  in  New  Hampshire;  and 
in  answer  to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants,  the  town  of 
Litchfield  was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council  of 
that  province,  June  5,  1749, — the  town  of  Nottingham  be- 
ing thereafter  designated  as  Nottingham  West  until  its 
name  was  changed  to  Hudson  in  1830. 


LITCHFIELD. 


415 


Settlements  were  made  in  the  part  of  Dunstable  now  in 
this  town  about  the  year  1720,  by  families  from  Billerica 
and  Chelmsford. 

Hon.  Wyseman  Claggett,  who  resided  in  town  during  the 
latter  portion  of  his  life,  was  attorney-general  of  the  prov- 
ince from  1765  to  1769;  of  the  state  from  1776  to  1778, 
and  again  in  1781  ; a member  of  the  council  in  1776  and 
in  1781.  He  died  Dec.  4,  1784,  at  the  age  of  63. 


[6-68]  [ Warra?tt  for  Touuji-AIeethig^  77^j.] 

Province  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  William  Reed  Constable  for  the  District  of  Litchfield  on 
the  East  side  of  the  River  Greeting- 

You  are  hereby  Required  in  His  Majesties  Name  to  warn  all 
the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the  District  of  Litch- 
field on  the  East  Side  the  River  to  meet  and  conven  at  the 
Meeting  house  in  Litchfield  upon  Munday  the  thirty  first  Day 
of  oct*'  Instant  at  two  of  the  clock  in  the  after  Noon  then  and 
ther  when  Meet — 

To  See  if  the  District  will  Chouse  one  man  or  more  to  go  to 
Portsmouth  to  the  General  Court  to  make  answ*'  to  a Petition 
Nath^^  Hills  James  Hills  John  Robinson  and  others  have  Lodged 
theire  and  to  Impower  the  s*^  man  or  men  that  may  be  chosen 
with  full  power  to  act  in  Behalf  of  the  District  in  aney  affier  as 
he  or  they  so  chosen  Shall  think  convenent — 

and  See  that  You  make  Due  Return  of  this  warrant  and  your 
doings  thereon  to  our  Selves  before  or  upon  the  day  and  time 
before  mentioned  as  You  will  Answer  Your  Default  at  Your 
Perrell — 

Given  Under  our  hands  and  Seal  Dad  at  Litchfield  the  24*^  Day 
of  oct*'  anno  Dom.  1743  ^^'^d  in  the  Seventeenth  Year  of  his 
Majesties  Reign — 

A True  Copy  Examined  by  me — 


By  virtue  of  this  warrant  I have  warned  all  the  freeholders 
and  other  Inhabitants  of  the  District  Called  Litchfield  on  the 
East  Side  of  Merrimack  River 


A True  copy  Exam‘S  by  me  John  Bradshaw  Town  Clerk 


John  Bradshaw  Town  Clerk 


William  Reed  Constable 


4i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[ Vote  at  said  Meeting. 

At  a Town  Meeting  Regualery  assembled  at  Litchfield  on 
ocf  y®  31*  1743 — 

Voted  that  John  Bradshaw  be  moderator  for  s‘^  meeting — 

Voted  that  Jo®  Blanchard  Esq’^  and  Dec^  John  Cummings 
and  m^  James  Nahor  be  a Comitte  to  make  answer  to  a Peti- 
tion that  Nath^^  Hills  James  Hills  and  John  Robinson  and 
others  have  made  to  y®  Create  & Gerneral  Court  of  y®  province 
of  New  Hampshire  to  answer  to  s*^  Petitioners 

A True  copy  Examined  by  me — 

John  Bradshaw  Town  Clerk 

[The  petition  of  Nathaniel  Hills  and  others,  referred  to 
in  the  foregoing,  was  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a charter 
for  a town  to  comprise  the  north  part  of  Nottingham  and 
the  south  part  of  Litchfield,  which  did  not  succeed.  See 
Vol.  IX,  pp.  468-471. — Ed.] 


[6-69]  \_Relative  to  fayhtg  Rates  in  two  Towns.^  1^/46. 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq’'  Governor  &c  the 
Hon’®  his  Majestys  Council  & Assembly  in  Gen”  Court  Con- 
veined  at  Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire  April  1746 — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  that  tract 
of  land  formerly  in  the  town  of  Dunstable  lately  Incorporated 
into  a District  Called  Litchfield  & in  that  part  of  s”  District 
which  Interferes  with  Londonderry  bounds  According  to  the 
late  runing  per  M’’  Walter  Briant — 

That  y®  Petitioners  Setled  under  the  Grants  of  y®  Massachu- 
setts Bay  x\nd  have  Continued  to  pay  their  Rates  to  Litchfield 
by  whome  their  poles  and  Estates  was  with  Litchfields  Envoice 
Returned  to  this  Hon’®  Court  but  so  it  is  that  this  Last  Year 
notwithstanding  they  were  Rated  as  Usual  to  Litchfield  And 
there  pay’d  their  full  proportion  to  town  minister  And  Province 
Taxes  yet  thay  were  also  Rated  in  Londonderry  and  by  their 
Constables  Destrained  for  the  same  & have  paid  it  as  per  Rec 
which  your  Petitioners  Humbly  Apprehend  a great  Hardship 
and  know  of  no  Relief  unless  your  Excellency  & Hon’'®  should 
see  meet  to  Relieve  us — 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray  You  to  Consider 
the  premises  & direct  that  One  of  the  s”  Towns  Return  the 


LITCHFIELD. 


417 


rates  Rec*^  as  aforesaid  or  Otherwise  relieve  us  as  may  seem 
meet  & y*"  Peti”  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  pray  &c — 

Ebenezer  Spauldyng 
Stephen  spauldyng 
william  butterfield 
lennard  comrnins 


[6-70]  antes  Hillses  Receipts^ 

Litchfield  January  y®  22^  ^745 

Received  of  m’’  Ebenezer  Spaulding  the  Sum  of  Three 
Pounds  old  Tenor  being  in  full  of  one  List  of  Rates  to  me  to 
Collect  bearing  Date  June  y®  28“'  1745 
Rece*^  by  me — 

James  Hills  Constable 

[6-71] 

Litchfield  Jenewary  the  29  1746 

recvied  of  Ebenezer  Spolding  for  town  and  provence  reats 
the  Sum  of  three  Ponds  and  Euight  Shillings  old  tener  I Say 
recvied  by  me — 

James  Hills  Constable  for  Litchfield 


[R.  2-188]  [^Invoice  of  Lieut.  Pelatiah  RusselV s Equip- 
?}ients  Lost  in  the  Service.,  -^757-] 

A Good  new  Beaver  hatt  tow  new  worsted  Caps  and  one 
Linnen  one  tow  new  Linnen  Shirts  and  one  Wollen  Shirt  three 
good  Jackets  and  one  Coat  and  tow’  Pair  of  Leather  Breetchis 
three  Pair  of  Stockings  and  one  Pair  of  Shoes  and  one  Pair  of 
Mogezens  one  Silk-hankerchief  and  one  Cotten  hankerchief 
and  a Gun  and  Snapsack  and  Powder  horn — 

Province  of  New  Hamp’' — 

September  23^  1758 

Then  Olive  Russell  of  Litchfield  in  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  Widow  personallyappeared  and  made  solemn  Oath 
that  the  articles  of  Cloathing  above  mentioned  is  a just  and  true 
acc‘  of  what  her  Late  Husband  Lieut : Pelatiah  Russell  carried 
along  with  him  when  he  went  from  home  in  the  Province  ser- 
vice in  the  year  1757 

Sworn  Before  Math'^  Patten  Just:  Peace 


29 


4i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Sept.  30,  1758,  “Voted  That  there  be 
allowed  ;^ioo.  In  full  for  this  acco^  & In  full  for  three 
months  wages  allowed  him  as  a Gratuity,  being  Carried  a 
prisoner  to  Canada.”  Council  concurred. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-1S9]  \_Capt.  yohn  Parker’s  Petition^  zy/d.] 

[John  Parker  stated  that  he  commanded  a company  in 
Col.  Bedel’s  regiment  in  Canada  in  September,  1775,  “ That 
upon  his  return  home,  three  of  his  Company  Viz^  Aaron 
Quimby,  Ebenezer  Codings  & Daniel  Murray,  exhibited  a 
Complaint  to  your  Honors  ag®*^  your  Petitioner  for  an  over- 
charge in  his  Muster  Roll  &c”  He  asked  for  a hearing,, 
which  was  granted. — Ed.] 


[Rev.  Pap.,  p.  35]  \_Litchjield  Men  at  Piconderoga  Alarniy 

1777 


Abstract  of  a Pay  Roll  of  a 

Number  of  men 

who  marched 

from  Litchfield  for  Ticonderoga  on  the  Alarms  June  29^^^  & 
July  [1777] 

David  McQuig 

Ensign 

Serg^ 

£1,  12,  0 

W”*  Patterson 

2,  S,  9 

James  Darrovv 

Private 

2,  7,  2 

Willian  Barker 

do 

2,  7,  2 

William  Read 

do 

2,  7,  2 

Oliver  Emerson 

do 

2,  7,  2 

Jacob  Kendel 

do 

2,  7,  2 

Thomas  Whittle 

do 

2,  7,  2 

Zechariah  Holden 

do 

2,  7,  2 

James  Harrod 

do 

2,  7,  2 

John  Eaton 

do 

2,  7,  2 

Samuel  Chase 

Major 

2,  14,  4 

Samuel  Cochran 

Cap‘ 

2,  14,  4 

Joseph  Barns 

Private 

2,  14,  4 

James  Nahur 

do 

2,  14,  4 

Simeon  Chase 

do 

2,  14,  4 

James  Hildreth 

do 

2,  14,  4 

Exam‘S  J.  Gilman- 


LITCHFIELD. 


419 


[6-72]  \^Relative  to  behtg  classed  for  Representative^  iy8oP\ 
State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Hon’’*®  the  Council  and  Gent"  of  the  Hon’’’®  House  of 

Representatives  in  Gen’  Assembly  at  Portsmouth  Convened 

13”’  October  1780 

The  humble  Petition  of  the  several  Inhabitants  of  Litchfield 
in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  & State  aforesaid,  whose  names 
are  hereunto  set  and  subscribed. 

Sheweth  that  upon  taking  up  Government  the  said  Litchfield 
was  joined  to  Nottingham  West,  for  the  purpose  of  chusing  a 
person  to  represent  them  in  General  Assembly,  And  Altho  at 
the  time  of  such  Junction  there  was  a great  Majority  in  favour 
of  said  Nottingham  as  their  members  greatly  exceeded  Litch- 
field, Yet  were  your  PeP  content  at  that  time. 

But  now  so  it  is.  May  it  please  Your  Honors  that  by  Act  of 
Gen’  Assembly,  many  Families  from  Londonderry  claim,  have 
been  added  lately  to  said  Nottingham  West,  so  that  that  Town 
now  consists  of  upwards  of  100  families,  and  Litchfield  of  lit- 
tle more  than  40,  By  means  of  which  inequality  Your  PeP  are 
always  liable  to  be  out  numbered  and  out  voted  (if  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  said  Nottinghman  West  shall  see  fit),  and  to  lose  all 
benefit  and  priviledge  of  Election. 

Your  PeP  therefore  pray  leave  to  bring  in  a Bill,  whereby  to 
seperate  them  from  said  Nottingham  West,  and  that  they  may 
be  joined  in  future  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  to  the  Neighbouring 
Town  of  Derrifield,  between  which  & them  there  is  a good 
understanding  and  with  whom  Your  PeP  will  stand  more  upon 
a Par  And  that  as  to  the  place  of  Election  a Preference  may  be 
given  to  such  of  the  two  towns  as  shall  pay  most  taxes  to  Gov- 
ernment 

And  shall  ever  pray — 

James  Nahor  JP') 

Jon®^  Parker  > Selectmen 
John  Parker  Jifi  ) 


Wyseman  Clagett 
Simon  M®Qiiesten 
David  '"®Qiiig 
Rob’  Parker 
William  *"®Qiiesten 
Joseph  Reed 
John  Cochran 
Josiah  Richardson  J' 
Samuel  senter 
Jacob  Whittemore 
Peter  Patterson 


Samuel  Cotton 
Thomas  Whittle  Ju 
Timothy  Kendall 
W’"  Danforth 
Gershom  Harvell 
William  Read 
Samuel  Cochran 
Benj*"  Blodgett 
James  Underwood 
John  Harvell 
Daniel  Bixby 


Daniel  kendall 
Abel  Senter 
Joseph  Chase 
Tho®  Russell 
William  Parker 
Josiah  Richardson 
Daniel  Blodget 
joshua  Blodget 
Rob’  Darrah 
William  Patterson 
John  Parker 


420 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


The  Committee  appointed  on  Matters  similar  to  those  set 
forth  in  the  within  Petition  beg  leave  to  report  their  opinion 
that  Litchfield  & Derryfield  be  joined  in  the  Precept  to  send  a 
Representative  to  the  next  General  Court 

Geo  : Atkinson  for  the  Com®® 

[The  report  was  accepted,  and  Litchfield  and  Derryfield 
were  classed  for  a representative. — Ed.] 


[6-73]  S^James  Underwood  relative  to  so77te  confiscated 

Estates^ 


M’’  Speaker — 

Sir— 


Litchfield  27*^  June  1780 


The  Committee  have  Yesterday  finished  the  Sales  of  Zacheus 
Cuttlers  personal  Estate  have  been  to  CoP  Bauldwin  the  Agent 
or  Trustee  of  said  Estate  and  find  he  will  Only  pay  or  alow  us 
our  Costs  in  takeing  an  Inventory  Vendueing  &c  of  s*^  Estate 
when  we  have  Don  the  Business  through  this  County  taking 
Inventoiy  Leaseing  out  &c  that  Estate  being  sold  thereby  pro- 
cured money  to  Discharge  our  Expence  in  our  Duty  & what 
money  was  Overplush  put  into  the  State  Treasury  we  now 
desire  the  Court  would  now  take  some  Order  that  we  may 
make  a final  setlement  and  be  properly  discharged  as  I have 
been  three  times  to  Exeter  to  settle  that  matter,  with  that  of 
CoP  Lutwyches  as  our  business  extended  through  the  County 
Costs  & Expence  are  so  blended  together  can  not  be  well  sepo- 
rated  Therefore  pray  the  Agents  may  be  Impowerd,  or  some 
Other  person,  or  persons,  to  settle  these  matters  as  CoP  Nichols 
is  Nominated  to  go  into  the  Servise  I take  this  Opportunity  to 
Inform  the  Court  that  the  Committes  Acco*^  is  so  blended  to- 
gether that  they  can  not  be  Settled  without  the  whole  of  the 
Committe  pray  sir  press  the  matter  that  the  Committe  of 
Safety  may  be  Impowed  in  recess  of  the  Court  if  nothing  better 
Can  be  done — 

I am  your  Honors  Ob*  & Very  Humb*  Se* 

James  Underwood 


[5_y^]  [ William  Patterson  relative  to  some  confiscated 

Estates^  i'/82.'\ 

To  the  PIoiP*  the  President  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
State  of  Newhampshire — 

S'"  I Beg  leave  to  inform  you  that  I am  now  Seventy  three 
years  old  and  have  lived  on  lands  which  formerly  belonged  to 


LITCHFIELD. 


421 


M*"  Thomson  now  an  Inhabatiant  of  Great  Britain  33  years  said 
land  lying  in  Litchfield  I took  a lease  of  said  Thomson  of  the 
farm  I now  live  on  to  pay  him  the  sum  of  sixty  dollars  yearly 
to  be  paid  in  money  or  improvements  on  the  farm  which  I have 
Comply*^  with  : nntill  last  year  when  I was  about  putting  Seed 
into  the  Ground  in  the  mounth  of  April  I was  informed  that  the 
State  had  taken  the  farm  into  their  hands  and  appointed  an 
Agent  to  rent  out  the  same  ; Some  evil  minded  person  as  I sup- 
pose offered  to  give  one  hundred  dollars  yearly  rent : having 
done  a considerable  part  of  my  Spring  Labour  was  Constrained 
to  give  that  Sum  or  move  off:  your  Hoff  and  every  Gen**'  in 
the  Hon*’^  Commitee  must  be  sensable  that  the  Public  Tax  for 
the  Defence  of  the  present  war  is  very  high  which  with  the 
rent  aforesaid  and  the  hire  of  Labourers  amounted  to  a very 
great  sum  I Beg  leave  to  Observe  that  I have  had  no  notice  to 
move  off  before  very  leatly  when  I have  prepared  for  a new 
Crop  I Expected  to  have  had  the  farm  at  the  rent  that  I Con- 
tracted for  last  year  tho  very  high  }^et  I would  been  content  but 
to  my  great  Surprise  I have  been  informed  that  some  person 
have  offered  more  ; the  Agent  Co''  Chase  being  sensable  that 
the  rent  paid  last  year  with  the  Tax  that  will  be  Called  for  this 
year  is  as  much  if  not  more  than  the  farm  is  worth 

He  desired  me  to  send  to  your  Hoff®  to  know  whither  I may 
have  the  farm  at  the  same  Rent  that  I paid  last  year  I paying 
the  whole  Tax  for  this  year  ; which  is  not  Customary  when  a 
Tennant  takes  a farm  by  the  Shares  he  pays  half  of  the  Tax 
only  ; I Beg  further  that  a person  or  persons  may  be  appointed 
to  settle  all  Back  arrirages  and  to  Receipt  for  the  same  and  to 
put  me  in  full  possession  in  the  name  of  the  State  I would  fur- 
ther Observe  that  I have  been  Oblidged  for  several  years  past 
to  purchess  the  greater  part  of  the  wood  for  my  use  there  being 
little  wood  on  the  farm  as  I am  an  old  man  and  willing  to  give 
the  whole  value  for  the  farm  Reather  than  move  of  at  present 
your  Hoff®  Compliance  will  much  Oblidge  your  Hoff® 


Most  Hub'  SeP 
Litchfield  April  3''  17S2 


William  Patterson 


[R.  2-190]  \^Selectme7i  concei'7ting  Soldiet's^ 

To  the  Hon'^'®  the  Councel  & flouse  of  Representatives  for  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  Convened  at  Concord  June  1783 

The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Select  men  of  Litchfield  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough — Humbly  shews  that  said  Town  filled 
up  their  Qiiota  of  Soldiers  in  the  Continental  army  for  the  first 


422 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


three  year  service  & gave  each  soldier  Fifty  dollers  as  a Towns 
Bounty — one  of  said  Soldiers,  Viz‘  John  Loring  who  was  an 
Inhabitant  of  said  Town,  was  in  the  Massachusetts  line  Tho’ 
by  a vote  of  the  HoiF*®  Assembly  of  this  state  he  was  to  be 
accounted  to  the  Town  he  belong’d  to,  his  Family  was  sup- 
ported for  three  years  for  which  no  allow^ance  has  ever  been 
made  them — That  said  Town  by  Order  of  Court  raised  four 
men  to  reinforce  Geif  Sullivan  in  Canada  & paid  them  fifty 
dollars  each  as  Bounty  that  in  June  1779  said  Town  Inlisted 
one  William  Raymond  during  the  war  & paid  him  four  hun- 
dred & fifty  pounds  Lawfull  money  That  we  have  at  all  Times 
done  our  full  proportion  in  the  war  & had  our  Quota  of  men  in 
the  field.  Notwithstanding  all  which  CoF  Kelley  sheriff'  of  said 
County  has  brought  an  Extent  or  Execution  against  us  for  sixty 
pounds  for  a soldier  said  to  be  wanting  in  the  war.  We  are 
Consious  to  ourselves  that  we  have  done  our  full  proportion  in 
the  war  as  to  soldiers  &c  and  ought  not  pay  said  Extent 
Wherefore  we  pray  your  Honors  would  Postpone  the  pay- 
ment of  said  Execution  untill  the  matter  may  be  fully  inquired 
into  * * 

James  Underwood  > Select 

Samuel  Chase  } men 

[The  foregoing  was  referred  to  the  committee  of  safety. 
—Ed.] 


[6-75]  \_Retu7'n  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

Decern®'’ 

A True  Acco'^  of  the  number  male  Polls  in  the  Town  of 
Litchfield  upwards  of  Twenty  one  Years  of  Age  paying  for 
themselves  a poll  rate  which  is  fifty  five 

James  Lbiderwood  ) Select 
John  Cochran  ^ men 

Hillsborough  ss  Decern'’  9^'’  17S3  then  James  Underwood  & 
John  Cochran  personally  Appear’d  and  made  Solemn  Oath  to 
the  truth  of  the  above  Number  of  polls  in  said  Town  before 

John  Gofi'e 
Justice  of  Peace 


[6-76]  \_Relatlve  to  their  ^uota  of  Soldiers^  1^83. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Hon- 
ourable house  of  Representatives  at  Exeter  Convened  the 
Twelfth  day  of  February  1783 — 


LITCHFIELD. 


423 


The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Selectmen  of  Litchfield  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough  & State  of  New  Hampshire  whose 
Names  are  hereunto  Subscribed 

Sheweth  that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Town  have  had  the 
Honor  of  being  distinguished,  by  many  General  assemblies,  for 
their  Loyalty  and  Zeal  in  promoting  the  Public  Welfare,  ac- 
cording to  their  utmost  Abilities 

That — the  premises  being  granted  Your  Honors  may  easily 
conceive,  that  your  Pefi®  must  be  under  the  deepest  concern, 
when  they  find  themselves,  and  their  Constituents,  lie  under 
the  Imputation  of  Disloyalty  at  this  day,  and  the  Sherif  ap- 
proaches with  an  Extent  to  levy  a large  sum  of  money  on  Your 
PeP  Estates,  in  their  said  Capacity,  upon  a Supposition  that 
one  Soldier  is  wanting  in  their  Qiiota. 

That  the  Matter  arises  from  the  desertion,  of  one  William 
Raiment,  whom  the  Town  procured  in  i779’  very  great 

Expence,  to  serve  them  as  a Soldier,  during  the  War,  whom 
they  saw  duly  mustered — receive  his  proportion  of  provisions 
shoes,  and  Stockings  at  Exeter,  and  march  to  Worcester  with 
the  rest  of  the  Soldiers — What  co*^  they  do  more  ? 

But — Your  PeP®  pi'^y  leave  to  refer  Your  tlon’’®  to  the  Depo- 
sitions herewith  exhibited.  In  humble  confidence,  that  upon 
mature  deliberation  of  the  premises  you  will  be  pleased  to  re- 
solve, that  the  Sherif  of  the  County  aforesaid,  may  be  Injoined 
to  surcease  the  said  Extent,  and  that  your  Hoifi®  will  resume 
the  Consideration  of  the  premises,  and  grant  such  relief  therein 
as  to  You  in  your  great  Wisdom  shall  seem  most  meet. 

And  Your  PeP®  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c 

Rob*  Darrah  ) Selectmen  for 
Timothy  Kendall  j Litchfield 


1^6-77]  \_Pefitio7t  for  a Bridge  at  CroniwelV s Balls ^ 

To  the  Honorable  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire 
to  be  convened  at  Amherst  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June 
1794— 

A Petition  for  a Bridge  at  Cromwell’s  Falls 
Whereas  from  experience  it  is  found  practicable  and  of  great 
publick  convenience  to  have  Bridges  over  Merrimack  River 
and  as  one  at  Cromw'ells  falls  at  the  low^er  end  of  the  Town  of 
Lytchfield  would  greatly  facilitate  the  passing  from  the  westerly 
part  of  this  State  to  our  Metropolis — Therefore  we  pray  your 
Honors  to  make  us  a grant  for  that  purpose  similar  to  that  made 
to  Cob  M'^Gregore  & others  at  Amoskeig  Falls — And  your  pe- 
tioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Lytchfield  June  3 1794 


424  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Gershom  Harvell 
Simeon  Chase 
William  Bixby 
Daniel  Bixby 
Robert  Chase 
John  M'^Gilvery 
W*"  M'^Cluer  Ju*" 
William  Clagett 
David  Whtemore 


David  Campbell 
Samuel  Chase 
James  Nahor 
Herbert  Moors 
John  M'^Cluer 
Thomas  Bixby 
Nathaniel  Whitte- 
more 


Joel  Conant 
Hugh  Nahor 
Robert  Parker 
Sam’'  Chase  J*" 
Tim®  Kendall 
Simeon  Kendall 
Edward  Clagett 


LITTLETON. 

This  town  embraces  the  southern  portion  of  a grant 
made,  Nov.  17,  1764,  to  James  Avery  and  others,  by  the 
name  of  Chiswick,  which  grant  also  comprised  the  present 
town  of  Dalton. 

The  grantees  were  bought  out  by  Moses  Little,  mer- 
chant, of  Newburyport,  Moses  Little,  Jr.,  of  Newbury,  both 
in  the  province  of  Massachusetts,  Israel  Morey,  of  Or- 
ford,  N.  H.,  and  Alexander  Phelps,  of  Hebron,  Conn.,  who 
petitioned  for  a re-grant  of  the  township.  The  request  was 
favorably  considered  by  Gov.  Wentworth,  and  on  the  i8th 
day  of  January,  1770,  the  township  was  re-granted  by  the 
name  of  Apthorp  to  the  foregoing,  with  George  Apthorp, 
of  London,  Eng.,  Nathaniel  Carter,  Benjamin  Harris,  and 
Tristram  Dalton,  of  said  Newburyport,  and  Samuel  Adams, 
of  Boston,  as  associates.  Five  hundred  acres  each  were 
reserved  for  Benning  Wentworth,  Theodore  Atkinson,  and 
Mark  H unking  Wentworth,  they  being  grantees  under  the 
Chiswick  charter.  The  town  bore-  the  name  of  Apthorp,  in 
honor  of  George  Apthorp,  until  Nov.  4,  1784,  when  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature  it  was  divided,  the  north  part  incor- 
porated by  the  name  of  Dalton,  in  honor  of  Tristram 
Dalton,  and  the  south  part  by  the  name  of  Littleton,  in 
honor  of  Moses  Little,  both  of  whom  were  large  owners  in 
the  townships  respectively.  The  first  settler  was  Capt. 
Nathan  Caswell,  about  the  year  1770.  The  town  did  not 
gain  in  population  very  fast,  and  contained  but  fourteen 
ratable  polls  in  1785.  Since  1800,  however,  the  increase 
has  been  more  rapid,  and  the  town  is  now  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  prosperous  in  the  state. 


LITTLETON. 


425 


[6-79] 


\_Relative  to  Taxes^  i’j86.'\ 


State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Littleton  June  3*^  17S6 

To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  State  to  be  Conven’d 
at  Concord  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  instant — 

Humbly  sheweth  the  Inhabitants  of  Littleton  in  the  County 
of  Grafton  & State  aforesaid  ; that  they  were  at  the  Commence- 
ment of  the  late  war  just  beginning  Settlement  on  said  tract  of 
land  which  has  untill  very  lately  been  known  by  the  name  of 
Apthorp,  that  they  being  poor  and  much  expos’d  to  our  Enemy 
during  said  war  never  paid  any  Taxes  into  the  Treasury  of  said 
State — That  notwithstanding  the  Division  of  said  Apthorp  into 
two  Towns  Precepts  have  lately  been  sent  to  the  Selectmen  of 
Apthorp  for  sums  much  too  Large  as  may  appear  by  our  re- 
turn herewith  exhibited — we  therefore  pray  that  our  Doomages 
may  be  taken  oft'  and  the  Selectmen  of  Littleton  be  enabled  to 
assess  and  collect  any  and  all  sums  of  money  now  Due,  within 
the  lines  thereof  on  the  proprietors  of  said  Littleton  or  other- 
wise as  may  appear  Just — and  your  Petitioners  will  pray 

Nathan  Caswell 

For  and  at  the  Request  of  said  Inhabitants 


[An  inventory  of  the  polls  and  estate  of  the  town  for  the 
years  1775  to  1785  shows  that  in  1775  the  number  of  polls 
was3;  1776.4;  I777-7S- 79»  5 i 4 ; 1781- 82- 83,  9 ; 

1784,  12;  1785,  14. — Ed.] 


[6-81]  [^Relative  to  a Tax  for  buildittg  Roads  ^ 

State  of  New  Hamsphire — 

Concord  16*^  Jone  1788 

To  the  Hon'^^®  Geift  court  of  said  state  now  setting — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Littleton  in  said  state 
humbly  sheweth,  that  your  Petitionors  for  eighteen  years  last 
past,  have  laid  under  many  and  grevious  dificulties — your  Peti- 
tionors cannot  ascertain  the  number  of  acres  of  Land  in  said 
Littleton,  neither  can  we  find  out  the  original  Proprietors  of 
said  Town,  so  that  we  can  not  Tax  said  land  except  we  have 
a special  act  of  this  Plon'^'®  court  for  that  purpose,  your  Peti- 
tioners woo’d  further  Inform  your  honors  that  although  we  were 
promised  by  said  Proprietors  or  owners  of  land  (as  they  cal’d 
themselves)  to  have  our  land  given  us  for  settlement  & that  the 
* compliment  of  setters  according  to  charter  shoo’d  then  soon  be 


426 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


in  Town,  that  they  woo’d  make  good  roads  through  said  Town 
Build  Mills  &c — all  of  which  is  neglected  by  said  land  owmers, 
and  although  it  is  eighteen  years  since  said  Town  began  to  set- 
tle, there  is  but  nine  families  in  it  at  this  time,  and  there  is  no 
mills  in  said  Town,  nor  can  we  git  at  any  under  fifteen  miles, 
the  Publick  Road  that  runs  through  said  Town  is  eleven  miles 
in  length,  and  almost  Impossible  to  pass  in  the  same,  which 
road  your  Petitioners  have  to  travel  to  git  to  mill,  to  market,  to 
courts,  and  almost  every  kind  of  Business — so  that  your  Peti- 
tioners have  got  under  such  poor  and  dificult  circumstances,  that 
we  cannot  live  in  said  Town  nor  move  out  of  the  same,  except 
your  honors  will  Interpose  in  our  behalf 

Therefore  your  Petitioners  most  humbly  pray  that  your  hon- 
ors woo’d  take  our  singular  Situation  under  your  wise  consider- 
ation. and  grant  that  a special  act  of  this  court  be  made  that 
said  Town  be  setled  according  to  charter  in  years  from  this 
date  your  Petitionors  further  prav  vour  honors  that  a special 
act  of  this  HoiP'®  court  be  made,  to  assess  and  collect  the  taxes 
now  due  or  that  may  be  due  from  said  Town — we  further  pray 
your  honors  that  a committee  be  appointed  by  this  HoiP'®  court 
to  lay  out  and  make  a road  through  said  Town,  and  that  the 
cost  be  paid  by  the  land  owners  thereof  and  on  their  neglecting 
or  refusinsr  to  pav  said  cost  of  laving  out  and  making  said  road 
your  Petitioners  most  humbly  prav  your  honors  to  give  order 
that  so  much  land  in  said  Town  be  sold  as  will  pay  the  cost 
aforesaid  or  otherwise  as  your  honours  shall  think  most  expe- 
dient and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Peleg  Williams 
In  behalf  of  said  Inhabitants 


[[6-82]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  tax  jVon-Peside?tts^  iy88.~\ 

State  of  Xewhampshire  Grafton  ss 

Littleton  December  the  12 — 1788 

To  the  Honorable  Gen^  Court  of  said  State  to  be  Conveaned  at 
Exeter  on  the  24  Day  of  Instant  December — 

• The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Littleton  humbly 
Shews  that  it  is  Eighteen  vears  since  the  Town  began  to  Settle 
and  the  setlers  ware  promised  by  the  owners  of  the  Land  that 
thay  wood  make  a good  Rode  throw’  said  towm  erect  and  keep 
in  good  repair  a grest  mill  and  saw  mill  in  said' town  and  that 
thay  wood  Soon  have  the  Town  settled  wdth  such  a number  of 
Setelers  as  to  make  it  Convenient  for  your  petitioners  all  of 
which  thay  have  neglected  and  thare  is  now’  in  Tow’n  but  nine 
families  and  the  Country-  road  through  the  same  is  tw’elve  miles 


i 


LITTLETON. 


427 


and  is  verey  wet  hilly  and  Stoney,  your  Petitioners  Cannot  git 
at  any  mill  Short  of  twelve  or  fifteen  mildes  and  if  a Scarce 
time  of  grinden  must  wait  for  the  Inhabnie‘  of  the  town  to 
which  the  mill  belongs  to  have  thare  grist  ground  first  besides 
we  have  the  aforesaid  road  to  travel  through  without  our  horses 
being  Shod  as  thare  is  no  Blacksmith  neigher  than  a mill  your 
Petitioners  are  not  only  few  in  number  but  poor  and  must  re- 
main so  Except  the  aforesaid  Difcilties  Can  be  removed  all  or 
allmost  all  of  said  town  is  owned  by  two  Gentlemen  one  of 
which  Living  in  Massachusets  the  other  in  Vermount  and  we 
know  not  who  ware  the  oreginal  Proprietors  of  said  town  or 
how  much  Land  thare  is  in  the  Same  as  it  has  bin  granted  and 
regranted  and  Divided  and  Subdivided  so  that  under  every  cir- 
cumstances if  your  Petitioners  Should  be  Cald  on  by  your  hon- 
ours to  do  thare  duty  as  others  Towns  it  will  be  more  than  we 
Can  possably  Do — 

wharefore  your  Petitioners  most  humbly  pray  your  honors  to 
take  our  Singelur  Case  into  your  wise  Consideration  and  grant 
a tax  of  two  pence  on  Each  acre  of  Land  in  said  town  for  the 
purpose  of  making  and  repairing  a road  through  the  same  and 
that  a Committee  be  apinted  by  your  honours  to  Carrv  the 
Same  into  afect  your  Petitioners  further  pray  your  honners  not 
to  Call  on  us  for  anv  State  taxes  untill  the  town  Shall  be  so 
settled  that  we  Can  possably  git  a Living  tharein  but  that  the 
owners  of  Land  in  said  town  may  pay  all  the  taxes  tharefrom 
untill  the  present  time  and  that  Sume  person  or  persons  be 
apinted  by  your  honours  for  the  purpose  of  assaing  & Collect- 
ing the  Same  or  that  we  may  have  releafe  in  Sum  other  way  or 
manner  which  to  your  honours  may  apeare  Just  and  rasanable 
and  your  Petitioners  are  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray — 

Peleg  williams  Thomas  Miner  Samuel  Learned 

Benj'”"  Nurs  Nathan  Caswell  Isaac  Miner 

Nathan  Caswell  Jr  Robert  Charlton 


[6-83]  "[^Relative  to  taxing  JVon-Residents^  //p/.] 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representitives  in 
General  Court  convened  and  now  siting  this  day  of 
February  1791 — 

The  petition  of  the  Selectmen  of  Littleton  in  said  state  Hum- 
bly shew  that  an  act  passed  the  General  Court  January  17S9 — 
directing  the  Selectmen  of  said  Town  for  the  time  being  to 
assess  and  cause  to  be  collected  all  publick  Taxes  due  there 
from  prior  to  the  first  day  of  January  1789  on  the  lands  of  the 
proprietors  of  said  Town  in  one  tax  bill  in  way  and  manner  as 


428 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


taxes  by  Law  are  collected  of  Non,  resident  proprietors  in 
other  Towns  in  this  state  which  act  your  petitioners  would 
have  most  chearfully  complyed  with  had  it  been  in  their  power 
but  said  Littleton  together  with  a Town  or  part  of  a Town 
known  by  the  name  of  Dalton,  was  first  granted  by  the  name 
of  Chesuwich  afterward  by  the  name  of  Apthorp  then  divided 
into  Littleton  and  Dalton  to  particular  Gentlemen  and  not  in 
proprietory  shares  as  is  usually  the  custom  in  other  towns  in 
this  state — your  petitioners  would  further  Sugjest  that  the  act 
for  taxing  Lands  in  said  Littleton  and  Dalton  for  the  purpose 
of  making  and  repairing  roads  therein  is  under  the  aforesaid 
Imbarisments — 

Your  petitioners  would  therefore  pray  your  Honors  to  pass 
an  act  Impowering  the  Selectmen  of  said  Littleton  for  the  time 
being  to  assess  and  cause  to  be  collected  all  publick  taxes  due 
from  said  town  in  one  tax  bill  on  the  lands  therein  not  confin- 
ing them  to  any  particular  rights  but  to  sell  as  much  of  said 
Lands  in  one  body  as  will  pay  said  tax  with  Incidental  charges 
also  in  the  same  way  and  manner  to  sell  as  much  land  as  will 
compeat  said  road  throug  said  Town  as  also  that  they  may  be 
Impowered  in  the  same  way  and  manner  to  sell  as  much  land 
in  Dalton  as  will  complete  the  road  leading  through  the  same 
and  give  a reasonable  time  to  levy  and  collect  said  Taxes  or 
grant  such  other  relief  in  the  premises  as  to  your  Honors  may 
appear  reasonable  and  Just  and  stay  the  extents  against  said 
Littleton  untill  a final  determination  be  had  and  your  petitioners 
as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray — 

SaiY  Young 

in  behalf  of  the  Selectmen  of  Littleton  & Inhabitants  of 

Dalton 


[R.  2-191]  \^Lieut.  Peleg  lVz7liams’s  Petition^  zypj.] 

State  of  Newhampshire — 

To  the  HonH®  Geif  Court  of  s*^  State  convened  at  Exeter  on 
the  twenty  fifth  day  of  December  1793 — 

Humbly  sheweth  Peleg  Williams  of  a place  caled  Littleton 
in  said  State — That  in  November  1776  he  engaged  and  was 
commissioned  as  a Lieu^  for  said  State  in  the  late  war — That 
on  account  of  his  ill  State  of  health,  contracted  in  s'^  service, 
he,  in  the  month  of  may  1778  resigned  not  in  the  smallest  de- 
gree doubting  he  had  a right  so  to  do  * ^ * 

Peleg  Williams 

[He  stated  that  he  had  not  been  paid  the  depreciation  of 
his  wages,  and  asked  to  have  it  done. — Ed.] 


LONDONDERRY. 


429 


LONDONDERRY. 

The  township  was  granted,  June  21,  1722,  by  Gov.  Samuel 
Shute  to  John  Moor  and  one  hundred  and  seventeen  oth- 
ers. The  grantees  were  Scotch  Presbyterians,  who  came 
in  1718  from  the  north  part  of  Ireland,  where  their  ances- 
tors, emigrants  from  Scotland,  had  settled  about  one  hun- 
dred years  before.  By  an  agreement  dated  March  26,  1718, 
Rev.  William  Boyd  was  appointed  by  them  as  agent  to 
obtain  a grant  of  land  from  Gov.  Shute,  and  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a promise  of  a grant  whenever  they  decided  upon 
a location. 

On  receiving  this  encouragement  they  came  over,  landing 
in  Boston  Aug.  4,  1718.  A portion  of  them  went  to  Casco 
Bay,  then  in  the  province  of  Massachusetts,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  settling  there  ; but  not  being  pleased  with  the  coun- 
try, they  returned  and  located  here  in  April,  1719,  O.  S. 
Many  of  them  came  from  the  city  of  Londonderry,  Ireland, 
and  named  this  town  in  honor  of  their  old  home,  which 
some  of  them  had  helped  to  defend  in  1689  against  the 
emissaries  of  James  the  Second.  They  were  an  industrious 
and  thrifty  people,  and  strongly  attached  to  their  religious 
opinions. 

The  town  was  divided  into  two  parishes,  by  an  act  ap- 
proved Feb.  25,  1740,  in  accordance  with  a vote  of  the  town 
passed  in  1735. 

Feb.  12,  1742,  the  southern  portion  of  the  town  was  in- 
corporated into  a parish  by  the  name  of  Windham,  the  first 
meeting  of  which  was  to  be  called  by  Robert  Dinsmore, 
Joseph  Waugh,  and  Robert  Thompson,  on  March  8th  of 
that  year. 

The  north-west  part  of  the  town  was  taken  off  Sept.  3, 
1751,  and  with  other  territory  incorporated  into  the  town 
of  Derryfield. 

A portion  of  the  town  was  annexed  to  Nottingham  West 
(Hudson),  March  6,  1778. 

Sept.  26,  1777,  sundry  persons  and  their  estates  were  sev- 
ered from  Londonderry  and  annexed  to  Windham.  Nov.  26, 
1778,  Samuel  Clark  and  his  estate  were  also  annexed  to 
Windham,  and  the  line  between  these  towns  was  established 
by  an  act  passed  Nov.  22,  1782. 

Another  portion  of  this  town  was  annexed  to  Windham, 
Dec.  25,  1805. 


430 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


An  act  was  passed  July  2,  1827,  dividing  the  town  nearly 
in  the  middle,  and  incorporating  the  east  half  by  the  name 
of  Derry. 

People  from  Londonderry  were  among  the  first  settlers 
of  the  towns  of  Bedford,  Merrimack,  Antrim,  Acworth, 
Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.,  and  other  places. 


[6-91]  \_Helative  to  the  burning  of  Matthew  Claris  House^ 

^725 

To  all  Christian  People  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come 

Greeting  : 

The  humble  Petition  of  Matthew  Clark  of  Londonderry  in 
in  Newhampshire, 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  on  Fryday  the  third  of  this  Instant  in  the  dead  time  of 
the  Night  an  awfull  and  dreadfull  fire  seized  upon  his  dwelling 
House  and  consumed  it  to  iVshes,  together  with  his  worldly 
Substance  therein  contained,  as  Household  furniture,  cloaths, 
Provisions  and  Money,  whereof  there  were  four  pounds,  four  and 
Six  pence  of  the  Bills  of  this  Province,  Your  Petitioner  with 
his  wife  and  small  Children  narrowly  escaping  with  their  Lives 
through  the  mercifull  Providence  of  God — 

May  it  therefore  please  such  Christian  People  to  whom  these 
presents  shall  come  to  consider  of  this  case  in  the  bowels  of 
Christian  charity  and  afford  such  relief  to  your  Petitioner  as 
they  shall  think  fit,  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall 
ever  Pray. 

We  believe  the  Truth  of  the  Above  Petition,  and  have  great 
Compassion  on  the  Petitioner  as  being  of  an  honest  and  Chris- 
tian Character.  Done  at  Londondeny  Dec*'  23,  1725. 

Ja  : Macgregor 

Daniel  Cargill 

John  macmurphy  Cler. 

Samuel  Graves  | 

Robert  Boyes  > S'  men 
James  morgan  j 
James  Greg 
James  M**Keen 

the  28 — 1725 — 

In  the  house  of  Representatives  Mathew  Clark  the  Petitioner 
Made  Oath  that  he  had  actually  Burnt  in  his  house  of  this 
Province  Bills  of  Credit  the  sum  of  foure  pounds  foure  Shillings 
& Six  pence — 

James  Jeffry 

CP  assm 


LONDONDERRY. 


431 


[He  was  allowed  the  foregoing  amount  by  the  assembly 
out  of  the  money  in  the  treasury  next  to  be  burned. — Ed.] 


[6-92]  [ Order  relative  to  laying  out  some  Land^  1^28. 

Whereas  there  was  Given  & Granted  to  Mess’"®  McGregor 
M^’Keen  Cargil  Greg  and  Goffe  Several  Tracts  of  land  in  y®^ 
Town  of  Lond®  Derry  over  and  above  their  Proprietors  Share 
for  their  good  Service  in  promoting  the  Interest  of  y®  People 
there  as  appears  per  y®  Charter  of  S*^  Town  which  said  Tracts 
of  land  have  been  laid  out  to  the  s^  Grantees  in  y®  refuse  and 
Most  barren  part  of  the  said  Town  w‘^  an  aim  to  render  y®  s*^ 
Grants  of  no  value  and  to  defeat  the  good  designs  of  the  Same 
It  is  therefore  In  Coun'  May  25**’  1728 — hereby  Voted  and  or- 
dered that  the  laying  out  of  y®  said  lands  be  and  are  hereby 
declared  to  be  nul  void  and  of  no  Effect,  And  that  the  Lot- 
layers  of  y®  s'^  Town  within  twenty  days  from  y®  Date  hereof 
proceed  to  lay  out  y®  s^^  Grants  upon  oath  to  the  s'^  Grantees  in 
some  of  y®  Common  lands  of  y®  s^  Town — Such  as  are  of  a 
Middling  quality  (ie)  Neither  of  y®  best  or  worst  but  midway 
between  both,  an  that  y®  lotlayers  Deliver  returns  of  y®  laying 
out  s'*  land  to  y®  Grantees  in  Convenient  time  after  y®  busyness 
is  done  for  y®  Usual  and  legal  fees  y*  y®  s'*  returns  May  be  re- 
corded by  y®  Town  Clerk  in  y®  Town  book 

R.  Waldron  Clr : Cou. 


[6-93]  [ Warrant  for  Tovon- Meetings  ^7JJ*] 

Province  of  New  Hamp® — 

To  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Londonderry  within  the 

Province  afores'*  Greeting — 

Pursuant  to  his  Maj*’®®  writ  to  me  directed  for  Convening  a 
Generali  assembly  within  the  said  Province,  you  are  hereby  re- 
quited in  His  Maj*’®*  name  to  Cause  the  freeholders  of  the  town 
of  Londonderry  aforesaid  duely  quallified  (giving  them  fifteen 
days  previous  notice)  to  assemble  at  such  time  and  place  as 
you  Shall  appoint  within  the  said  town  then  and  there  to  Elect 
and  Chuse  or  depute  one  fit  person  quallified  in  the  Law  to 
represent  the  said  town  in  General  assembly  appointed  to  be 
Convened  and  held  at  Portsm'’  w**’  in  y®  Province  aforesaid  on 
Tuesday  the  first  day  of  Januarv  Next  at  ten  of  the  Clock  before 
noon  and  you  are  alike  required  to  Cause  the  person  so  Elected 
and  deputed  by  the  maj’’  part  of  the  electors  present  at  the  Elec- 
tion to  be  timely  notafied  and  Summoned  by  one  of  the  Con- 


432 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


stables  of  the  said  town  to  attend  his  Servis  in  Gen'^ 

assembly  at  the  time  and  Place  above  Prefixed  and  so  de  Die  in 
Diem  dureing  their  Session  or  Sessions  and  you  are  to  make 
return  of  this  Precept  with  your  doings  thereon  and  the  name 
of  the  Person  that  Shall  be  Elected  and  Deputed  as  afores*^ 
unto  my  Self  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  January  next  to  be  by 
me  transmitted  into  the  Secretarys  office  at  or  before  the  time  ap- 
pointed for  the  Convening  of  the  said  Gen'^  assembly  and  Here 
of  you  may  not  fail — 

Given  under  my  hand  & Seal  at  Portsmouth  the  Eleventh  day 
of  Decern’^'"  1733  & in  the  Seventh  year  of  His  Maj“®* 
Reign — 

Eleazer  Russell  Sheriff 

[The  meeting  was  held  Dec.  28,  1733,  and  Robert  Boyse 
was  elected. — Ed.] 


[6-95]  [ Charge  against  the  Legality  of  a Toivn- Meetings 

1736 

Londonderry  April  y®  13^^  ^73^ 
We  the  under  Subscribers  all  freeholders  of  the  aforesaid 
London-Derry  doth  protest  against  all  the  actings  of  our  March 
meeting  this  being  part  of  it  by  adjournment  (for  these  reasons) 
that  the  said  meeting  was  not  legall  in  itself,  neither  was  it 
legatee  Caried  on  for  a great  many  of  them  that  was  votters  in 
it  was  not  Qualified  according  as  the  law  directs  and  also  that 
a great  man}^  of  the  voters  was  only  transient  persons  and  paid 
no  rates  in  this  town  besides  many  other  reasons — 

Given  under  our  hands  the  day  and  year  above 

Robert  Boyes  William  Humphra  John  Moore 

Hugrh  Willson  Archibald  Clendinen 

o 

A true  Coppy  taken  out  of  Londonderry  Records  as 

Attests  p*"  John  Macmurphy  Town  Clerk 


[6—96]  S^Precept  for  the  Election  of  an  Assembly-man^  z/jd.] 
Province  of  Newhamps® 

George  the  Second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Brittaine 
France  and  Ireland  King  defender  of  the  Faith  &® 

To  the  Sherrif  of  the  Province  of  Newhampshire  Greeting 

We  command  you  that  imediately  on  sight  hereof  you  make 
out  a precept  Directed  to  the  Selectmen  of  Londonderry  within 


LONDONDERRY. 


433 


our  said  Province  of  Newhampshire  Requiring  them  to  Cause 
the  Freholclers  and  other  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  Duly  Qiiali- 
fied  to  Assemble  at  such  Time  and  place  as  they  shall  appoint, 
to  Elect  and  Choose,  or  Depute  one  Suitable  and  Meet  person 
(Lawfully  Quallified)  to  serve  for  and  represent  them  in  our 
GeiF  assembly  of  our  said  Province  at  Portsmouth  and  to  cause 
said  person  so  Elected  by  the  Major  part  of  the  Electors  pres- 
ent at  the  Election  to  be  timely  Notified  (or  Summoned  by  one 
of  the  Constables  of  the  said  Town)  to  attend  our  Service  in 
our  said  Gen'*  assembly  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  March  Cur- 
rant, and  So  De  Die  in  Diem  during  their  Session  or  Sessions, 
and  to  Return  the  said  prascept  with  the  Name  of  the  Person 
so  Elected  unto  your  Selfe  whereof  you  are  to  Make  Return  to- 
geather  with  this  Writ  and  of  your  doings  therein  under  your 
hand  unto  the  Clerk  of  our  House  of  Representatives  at  or 
before  the  s'*  fourteenth  day  of  March  Currant  hereof  you  may 
not  faile  at  your  perrill — 

Witness  Andrew  Wiggin  Esq’’  Speaker  of  our  said  House 
of  Representatives  at  Portsmouth  March  the  tenth  in  the  tenth 
yeare  of  our  Reigne  Ann  Dom°  1736 — 

And’’  Wiggin  Speaker 

James  Jefiry  Cle’’  of  the  Assembly 
By  order  of  the  House  of  Representatives 

Prov : of  New  Hampsr 

Pursuant  to  the  within  Writt  I Issued  out  my  Precept  to  the 
Selectmen  of  London  Derry  to  Elect  a person  to  Represent 
them  in  a Generali  assembly  Now  Sitting  at  PortsnP  and  they 
make  return  that  they  have  made  choice  of  Robert  Boyes  of 

Town  to  Represent  them 

Portsm®  March  y®  14^'’  1736/7  R Wibird,  Sheriff. 


[6-97]  \_'Two  Sets  of  Town  Oficers  chosc7t^  ^737-~\ 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq’’  Governour  & Com- 
mand’’ In  Chief  In  and  over  His  Majestys  Province  of  New 
Hamp’’  the  Hon*’*®  His  Majestys  Council,  and  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  General  Court  assembled — 

The  Petition  of  Sundry  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
London-Derry  in  the  Province  of  New  Hamp’’ — Most  humbly 
shews — 

That  It  hath  been  the  Custom  in  said  Town,  ever  since  they 
have  acted  as  a Town,  at  their  General  Town  meetings  in 
March  yearly  to  allow  all  persons  that  payed  rates  in  said  town 

30 


434 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


to  Vote  in  chiising  town  officers  until  at  the  town  meeting  held 
in  said  Town  on  the  fifth  day  of  March  Instant  when  the  Select 
men  for  the  last  year  produced  a list  of  Persons  names  who  the 
select  men  said  should  be  voters  only. — That  notwithstanding 
a Considerable  majority  of  the  persons  present  proceeded  ac- 
cording to  the  usual  method  of  said  Town  to  Chuse  a Modera- 
tor, and  then  to  chuse  a Town  Clerk,  selectmen  and  other  town 
officers,  and  that  the  two  Justices  in  said  Town  refused  to 
swear  any  of  said  officers  so  chosen,  and  that  a minor  part  of 
the  persons  then  present  in  a by-part  of  the  meeting-house  made 
choice  of  another  set  of  Town  officers,  which  last  sett  the  Jus- 
tices in  said  Town  have  since  sworn,  which  has  already  occa- 
sioned much  disorder  strife  and  confusion  in  said  Town,  and 
will  We  fear  tend  to  the  utter  ruin  and  destruction  of  the  peace 
and  good  orders  of  said  Town  unless  something  be  done  by  the 
General  Court  to  redress  our  Grievances. — 

Therefore  Your  Petitioners  most  humbly  Pray  Your  Excel- 
lency the  Hon^'®  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
In  your  Great  wisdom  to  ratify  & Confirm  what  was  done  at 
the  last  meeting  in  said  Town  according  to  the  former  usage  and 
Customs  of  said  Town,  or  to  Explain  that  paragraph  in  the  Act 
for  regulating  Townships,  choice  of  Town  officers  and  setting 
forth  their  power  relating  to  the  qualification  of  Voters  in  Town 
meetings,  and  order  that  There  be  another  Town  meeting  in 
said  Town  to  Chuse  Town  officers,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in 
Duty  bound,  Shall  Ever  Pray — 


John  Moor 
Sam'  Allison 
Ronald  Alexander 
John  Stewart 
Rob‘  Cochran 
James  Boyes 
Hugh  Rogers 
W*"  Cochran 
W”'  Candinon 
Thomas  Morrison 
Joseph  Wallis 
Hugh  Wilson 
Abr™  Holmes 
John  Givian 
Rob‘  Wear 
Sam'  Miller 
John  Craig 
Patrick  Duglas 
W'"  Humphrey 
Alexand’’  Macdorn 


John  Reade 
Sam'  Morrison 
Thomas  vSteel 
John  Barnet 
John  Durham 
Tho®  M'^Master 
Arch*'  Candinon 
Jesse  Cristi 
W*"  Holmes 
Robert  Boyes 
James  Dalop 
John  Wilson 
John  Cochran 
Robert  M^curdy 
W*"  Gregg 
Moses  Barnet 
James  M'^curdy 
John  Holmes 
John  M'^clary 
Benj^  Willson 


Halbert  Morrison 
W"^  M'^Neal 
Peter  Cochran 
Robert  Wallace 
W”^  Moor 
James  Wilson 
Sam'  Kinkerd 
John  Alexand*' 
Thom®  Hoag 
James  Patterson 
John  Duncan 
David  Vance 
John  M*^konoihy 
Sam'  Morrison 
John  Stewart  Juffi 
W***  Kelley 
Thom®  Bogel 
John  Mitchel  Juffi 
Andrew  Clandinen 
W*"  M**Master 


LONDONDERRY. 


435 


Robert  Givian 
Sam'  Mitchel 
Sam'  Morrison 
Alexand''  Rankin 
John  Morrison 
Thomas  Cochran 
Arch*'  Miller 
John  Steel 
James  Morrison 
Dan'  Anderson 
Thom®  Mellavy 
James  Cochran 


John  Smylel 
Hugh  Bolton 
Thom®  Wallace 
Peter  Cochran 
Sam'  Morrison 
Henry  Comee 
John  Cromey 
Patrick  Fisher 
David  Morrison 
John  Humphry 
John  Ware 
John  Ramsey 


Alexand*"  Parks 
John  M'^Cleary 
Francis  Smaley 
John  Wallace 
James  Calwel  JuiF 
W*"  Cochran 
Joseph  Ball 
James  Glines 
Allen  Anderson 
W"*  Murdoch 


MenP  I have  copyed  the  names  as  well  as  I could  read  them 
but  am  not  certain  that  they  are  right 

R.  Waldron  Sec^. 


[6-98] 


\_Relative  to  a new  Parish^ 


Provence  of  new  hampshier 

To  his  Excelence  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*"  Governor  and  Com- 
ander  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majestys  Provence  of  New 
hamp®  the  honorabl  his  majestys  Councel  and  hous  of  Repre- 
senteties  In  the  Generali  Court  asembled — 

The  Petition  of  Sundrey  of  the  Inhabitents  of  the  Westerly 
Part  of  Londonderry  In  The  Said  Provence  of  new  hampshier 
Most  humblv  Sheweth — 

that  Your  Petitioners  with  Sundry  others  the  Inhabitents  of 
the  Wasterly  part  of  Sd  town  at  the  last  siting  of  the  Genr'  Court 
In  new  liampshier  Prefared  a petistion  therin  Praing  to  be  Made 
a parish  by  our  Selves  which  Was  Granted  to  us  by  the  Gen- 
erali Court  But  with  this  Restriction  for  to  Countinow  with  the 
Worship  of  God  in  the  Miting  hous  Which  was  then  Bult 
amongst  us  which  is  the  Most  Convenient  Place  in  the  parish 
to  Shout  the  Popel  of  the  Sd  parish  yet  So  it  is  that  a part  of 
the  old  Parish  of  the  freand  and  Relations  of  M*"  Macgrogre  with 
Som  others  and  Som  amongst  ourSelvs  Without  aney  Regard 
to  what  was  then  Don  in  that  afair  by  the  General  Court  have 
without  aney  Consent  of  us  yea  even  against  our  wills  obtained 
ane  ordenation  for  m*"  macgrogre  out  of  our  Miting  hous  and  a 
litel  Time  after  hath  left  of  to  preach  in  our  Miting  hous  and 
preacheth  in  a privet  hous  above  the  mils  from  our  miting  hous 
and  in  about  one  mile  and  a half  from  the  old  miting  hous  and 
So  our  miting  hous  is  Left  Desolat  and  forsakin  and  thereby 
hath  Defated  our  Good  Desgn  in  Praying  to  be  Set  of  as  a Par- 


436 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ish  And  also  the  Gracious  Design  of  Generali  Court  in  Seting 
us  of  and  allso  would  Render  us  Disobdient  to  Goverment 
Which  never  entred  into  our  thoughts  and  would  have  us  Joyn 
with  them  in  bidding  a new  miting  hous  which  they  are  about 
to  Arect  nerer  the  old  miting  hous  then  ther  prasent  Place  of 
worship  which  is  at  one  Cornor  of  the  parish  which  if  Done  will 
tend  more  to  the  fomenting  of  our  Presant  Debats  and  Stireng 
up  Strife  and  Contensions  amongs  us  and  to  the  Destrouing  of 
Religon  then  aney  thing  Els  Wherfor  your  Petisthoners  most 
humbly  Prayeth  your  Excelence  the  honorable  Counsal  and  hous 
of  Representitves  in  your  Wisdom  to  order  us  the  worship  of 
god  in  our  miting  hous  as  it  Was  ordred  Befor  and  your  Peti- 
shoners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 
Londonderry  March  the  5 1736/7 


Thomas  Wallace 
Joseph  Boys 
James  murray 
Samuel  Dickey 
Joseph  bell 
Thomas  Hoop 
William  dickey 
James  Wallace 
John  Duncan 
Joseph  Wallace 


John  Blear 
John  holens 
Thomas  Wallace 
John  Barnet 
James  Petterson 
Samuel  Thompson 
micheall  M^^Clinto 
William  m'^Clinten 
John  Senior 
Robart  Wallace 


David  me  allester 
James  yErs 
William  m‘^allester 
James  wilson 
Hugh  Grahams 
John  Senter  JneiE 
William  Wallace 
william  thompson 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  April  i,  1737,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
dismissed. — Ed.] 


[6-100]  [^Relative  to  a Parish  ht  the  westerly  part  of  the 

Pown^  77jp.] 

To  his  Exelencey  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*'  Governor  and  Com- 
ander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Magiestys  Provence  of  New- 
hampshier  the  Honarebl  his  Magiestys  Councel  for  Sd  Pro- 
vence and  the  hous  of  Represenitive  in  General  asembley  Con- 
vened 

the  Pitition  of  Sundrey  of  the  Inhabitence  of  the  Westrly  part 
of  Londondery  in  the  Provence  of  new  hampshier  humbly  Shu- 
eth — 

That  at  the  General  Court  at  Portsmouth  in  and  for  the  for- 
said  Provence  in  aprel  1736  ther  was  a Pitition  preferred  to  the 
General  Court  of  Said  Provence  that  ther  Might  be  a Parish  Set 
of  in  said  town  in  the  westerly  part  of  Said  town  A Greeable  to 
a vote  of  Said  Town  that  the  General  Court  was  pleased  by  a 
vote  to  Set  of  for  a Parish  In  the  Westerly  part  of  Said  town 


LONDONDERRY. 


437 


acording  to  the  folouing  Bounds  Beginning  of  the  Southerly 
part  of  the  toun  at  a place  kown  by  the  name  of  Ston  Dam 
thence  Runing  up  Bover  Brook  to  the  South  west  part  of  Charels 
mclorgs  lot  thence  Runing  a Straight  line  by  the  Norwest  Cor- 
nar  of  ninen  Cochrans  home  Lote  to  amascige  Road  thence 
Runing  alongst  the  Sd  Rod  to  a place  none  b\'  the  Name  of  the 
twelve  acer  mido  Brook  thence  Runing  a noRth  to  the  toun  Line 
then  torning  westerly  and  roning  Round  the  toun  line  till  Bover 
Brook  then  Runing  to  the  Bounds  firs  menshoned  and  that  the 
Miting  hous  Should  be  Wher  it  then  Stod  in  the  Westerly  Part 
of  Sd  toun  and  that  to  the  Number  of  thirty  five  in  Said  west- 
erly parish  might  Remain  to  the  old  Parish  and  as  Maney  of 
Said  Number  as  Should  go  from  the  Newe  Parish  to  the  old  So 
maney  of  the  old  Should  go  to  the  new  parish  and  that  Befor 
the  Said  vote  of  the  Generali  Court  was  Redused  to  one  act 
the  Secriterys  hous  was  Consumed  by  flaims  and  the  vote 
amongst  other  papers  was  burnt  Wherfor  your  Petitioners  most 
humbly  pray  Your  Excellency  the  Honorabl  the  Councel  and 
hous  of  Representitive  to  Set  of  a Parish  in  the  westerly  part  of 
Sd  town  Agreeable  to  the  former  vot  of  the  Genarel  Court  and 
your  Petishoners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray  &c 
Dated  at  Londondery  October  12*^  G37 


John  Mderiee 
Robart  Bell 
Thomas  mclire 
William  holems 
Thomas  BoGel 
Samul  thorn  son 
William  thomson 
Angus  Mcalester 
William  '“'^alester 
John  Care 
Thomas  wollace 
James  ares 
Robart  Gave 
David  mcalester 
James  thomson 
michel  mclinton 
Joseph  Boys 


William  wollac 
John  Blair 
Thomas  Hog 
david  BoGel 
Joseph  BoGel 
John  Wallace 
iohn  Crage 
John  willson 
Benjamen  willson 
Andrue  todd 
Aalexander  Crage 
Aalexander  me  : ol- 
om 

Samul  morison  First 
Nethaniel  willson 
Robart  Gifen 
John  mclorg 


Abram  holms 
Robart  Wallace 
David  morison 
Samul  morison 
John  morison 
John  holems 
Ni  nin  Coch  ran 
Better  Cochran 
Samul  Tood 
william  hairs 
Thomas  Wallace 
Joseph  Wallace 
John  Barnat 
Joseph  Bell 
James  mu  ray 
James  wollace 
James  Paterson 


[6-1 01]  [^Proposa/s fo7'  Peace ^ ^737 

To  our  Christian  friends  and  Brethren  of  y®  old  Congregation  in 
London  Derry  ; proposals  of  peace 
BretlP 

It  is  a lamentable  Truth,  Too  evident  To  be  denyd,  y‘  the 


438 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Scandalous  divisions,  both  in  Civils  and  Ecleseaiticks,  which 
have  Too  long  Subsisted  among  us,  are  a stain  to  our  holy  pro- 
fession ; that  they  have  a Natural  tendency,  to  provoke  God  ; to 
procure  Judgments  and  to  render  us  a hissing  a reproach  and  a 
byword  to  our  Neighbours  and  that  these  are  aggravated  from 
our  circumstances,  we  being  Strangers,  which  ought  to  excite 
us  to  a stricter  amity  and  unity  among  our  Selves. 

but  then  Seing  it  is  not  Complaints  & lamentations  only,  but 
proper  remidys  also,  that  are  Necessary  to  effect  an  accomoda- 
tion among  us  ; we  therefore  out  of  a Sincere  and  Disintrested 
view  To  peace,  do  Chearfuly  & unanimously  make  y®  following 
proposals. 

Proposal  whereas  it  has  been  (as  we  are  Inform’d)  Sug- 
gested or  Insinuated,  that  The  design  of  us  who  belong  to  the 
New  Congregation,  is  To  draw  away  the  Strength  of  v®  old  Par- 
ish, and  Consequently  To  build  upon  its  Ruins  ; we  propose 
that  we  who  are  already  Incorporated  in  the  new  parish,  with 
Those  who  are  at  present  willing  to  joyn  us,  who  in  all  are  not 
one  half  of  y®  town,  will  oblige  our  Selves  to  maintain  the  Gos- 
pel in  Our  own  Congregation,  without  demanding  any  help 
from  our  Neighbours  in  the  Other  parish  ; or  if  this  will  not 
Satisfie,  we  propose  that  the  Salary’s  of  both  Ministers  be  asess’d 
in  common,  and  equaly  levyd  from  y®  whole  town  in  general. 

As  to  the  Ecclesiastick  part  of  our  divisions,  we  wou’d  be 
heartily  glad  that  this  also  were  Accomodated  : that  which  ren- 
ders a reconciliation  in  this  particular  more  difficult,  is  the  want 
of  a Synod,  To  whose  Judgment  all  partys  Consonant  To  pres- 
byterian  principles  behoof’d  to  be  Subjict : but  Since  we  have 
not  this  Superior  Judicature  To  have  Recource  To,  in  this  part 
of  the  world  : Since  appeals  to  a foreign  Church,  in  Our  pres- 
ent Scituation  and  Circumstances  is  Impracticable  even  in  the 
Opinion  of  Several  of  y®  ministers  of  y^^  own  party,  whose  dis- 
ent  against  Such  Apeals,  is  extant  in  y®  minutes  of  the  presby- 
tery ; and  Since  there  is  a Schism  among  the  Members  of  pres- 
bytery, So  that  they  being  partys  cannot  be  admitted  as  proper 
Judges,  what  must  be  y®  Consequence,  as  Things  are  thus  Cir- 
cumstanced, but  that  Except  Some  other  methode  be  found  out. 
Our  uncumfortable  Debates  be  protracted  time  without  End  : 
for  Remidy  wherof  we  propose. 

Proposal  3*^  that  a number  of  ministers,  of  y®  Congregational 
perswasion.  Such  as  you  and  we  can  mutualy  agree  upon  ; Shall 
be  Invited  To  meet  on  this  affair  ; and  that  haveing  heard  the 
whole  of  what  is  To  be  Said  Pro  and  Con  by  the  Respective 
partys,  they  Shall  then  draw  up  in  writing  their  Result : whether 
S*^  Result  Shall  be  finaly  deciseive  or  Not,  we  leave  to  be  Con- 
sidered. Note,  y®  S*^  Ministers  Shall  be  Obliged  to  judge  the 
affair  agreeable  to  presbyterian  Rules.  We  for  see  no  objection 


LONDONDERRY. 


• 439 


of  any  Seeming  weight  that  can  be  made  against  this  last  pro- 
posal but  Such  as  follows  ; to  which  by  way  of  anticipation  we 
Return  Some  Answer. 

Objection  the  persons  whom  you  propose  as  Judges  are  of 
a diffarent  perswasion  ; we  Answer  by  Concession  we  grant 
they  are  So,  but  the  Difference  is  not  So  wide,  but  that  Some 
of  y®  greatest  Divines  of  y®  presbvterian  perswasion,  and  even  of 
those  who  have  wrote  against  them,  particulerly  the  judicious 
M*"  Rutheroord,  has  Adress’d  them  with  the  friendly  Epithet  of 
D*'  Brethren  ; for  our  part  we  firmly  believe,  that  Notwithstand- 
ing the  Difi'erence  in  principle,  there  are  To  be  found  among 
them.  Many  men,  of  Learning,  Goodness,  Candor,  Impartiality, 
and  Every  qualification,  which  may  Render  them  very  fit  Judges 
in  this  affair. 

Object”  2'^  this  proposal  if  Complyed  with,  wou’d  cast  a Re- 
flection on  the  Presbyterian  Goverment,  as  if  it  were  not  Sufli- 
cient  to  answer  all  the  Ends  of  Goverm*,  without  being  beholden 
To  another  perswasion  : we  Answer  y®  objection  has  no  weight 
in  it;  for  i®Met  it  be  Concidered  that  presbyterian  GovernE 
Consists  in  a Subordination  of  Judicatures,  The  Inferior  To  the 
Superior  ; Now  if  we  had  a Synod  To  apply  too  and  yet  this 
Remidy  were  Necessary,  it  wou’d  then  Argue  a Defect  in  the 
Constetution  ; but  otherwise  the  Objection  is  of  No  weight. 
2*^^^  let  it  be  Concidered,  that  the  judges  we  propose,  tho  of  an- 
other perswasion,  are  bound  to  judge  by  Presbyterian  Rules  : 
the  Salutary  Medici n is  Still  the  Same,  though  the  Application 
be  made  by  Other  hands. 

we  are  far  from  being  So  premptory  or  wedded  to  Our  own 
proposols,  as  to  Say  that  these  and  these  only  are  the  terms 
on  which  we  will  be  at  peace  ; but  these  Are  what  we  look  on 
as  Resonable  and  Christian  ; and  if  you  think  them  Not  Such, 
we  wou’d  be  glad  to  hear  Some  from  you  that  are  more  So. 

In  the  Conclusion  we  beseech  you  Brethren,  Seriously  To 
Consider  that  ’tis  your  as  well  as  Our  Duty  if  it  be  possible,  as 
much  as  lies  in  you.  To  live  peacably  with  all  men.  to  Seek 
peace,  and  pursue  it.  to  lay  Down  your  Gift  at  the  Alter,  and 
go  be  Reconcil’d  with  your  Brother  : and  that  Ecept  we  Do  so 
Our  Religion  is  Vain,  that  tho  we  had  all  fiiith  to  y®  Removing 
of  mountains  and  have  Not  Charity,  we  are  as  A Sounding 
Brass  and  tinkling  Cymbal,  and  that  he  who  Says  he  loves  God 
and  hates  his  Brother  is  a lyar  : let  the  Serious  Concideration 
of  these  Awful  and  weighty  truths,  leave  Such  a deep  Impres- 
sion on  us,  that  we  may  be  willing  for  peace,  on  the  most  Rea- 
sonable terms  ; and  let  us  look  on  All  vSuch  as  wou’d  diswade 
us  from  hearkning  to  Reasonable  proposals  of  accomodation,  to 
be  publick  Nusances,  the  Bane  of  Civil  Society,  v®  obstructers 
'of  Brotherly  love,  and  the  Active  Instruments  of  Satan,  and  as 


440 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Sucli  let  US  Avoid  tiiem 
and  Bretliren  in  Christ. 

London  Derry  i 

Georg  Duncan 
John  Gofie 
James  Mckeen 
James  Adams 
John  Jamison 
James  Anderson 
Daniell  macDufie 
James  Reid 
John  : m'^Laughlin 
James  Nesmith 
James  Clark 
RoD  Campbell 
Tho®  Boies 
John  Richey 
Alex*'  m‘*Neall 
John  Blair 
Thomas  gregg 
James  Willson 
Thomas  Clark 
John  Archibald 
John  jVTkeen 
Charles  iVTCloarg 
Robert  Arbuckle 
Josiah  Arbuckle 
James  Wallace 
Rob‘  IVTkeen 
Hugh  montgomery 


/ith  detestatio 


James  Blair 
James  Taggart 
James  Lindsay 
William  Adams 
John  Creaig 
Daniel  m“‘^keeney 
John  taggert 
william  nutt 
John  Anderson 
Samul  andrson 
Bart  andrson 
John  Cochran 
VVolliam  Dickey 
James  Aiers 
James  Leslie 
Samuel  m*^keen 
James  Gregg 
mathoLi  tylor 
Daniel  M a eg  regore 
H ugh  Morison 
Nathaniel  Aken 
James  Moor 
Samuel  Dickey 
Samuel  Graham 
Hugh  Graham 
William  Maclintock 
James  Adams 


. we  are  vour  friends 


Pathrick  taggart 
John  Gregg 
Robertt  Anderson 
Andrew  Cochran 
John  Scobey 
Samuell  Gregg 
Archbell  m'^cormick 
W^ill  Gregg 
Robert  morison 
Hugh  moor 
Hugh  mountgorey 
Nathan  mTarlan 
william  Jameson 
John  Bell 
Robart  kendey 
William  Aiken 
James  Rodgers 
Hendery  mitchiell 
David  Hunter 
thomas  tyson 
John  Woodburn 
Sam’^  Barr 
matthew  Reid 
David  Archibald 
James  Nesmith  Sen*" 
Samuel  Huston 


[6-103]  \_Return  of  laying  out  a Highway^  //Jc?.] 

Provence  of  Newhampshire  Londonderry  May  : 15  : i73^ 

then  laid  out  a highway  in  said  town  begining  at  that  Cross 
highwav  that  goeth  along  by  Patrick  Duglas  and  William  Ad- 
amss  and  so  Riming  Down  the  line  betwixt  s*^  Duglas  and 
adams  as  far  as  his  land  goeth  and  so  along  betwixt  s^  Duglas 
and  James  Callwell  upon  the  line  betwdxt  them  to  Chaster  line 
and  so  Riming  aCross  the  End  of  s*^  Duglas  land  upon  Chaster 
line  to  Chaster  Laid  out  highway  note  that  said  highw'ay  is  to 
be  two  Rhods  Wide  one  Rhode  off  s^  Duglas  land  and  the  other 


LONDONDERRY. 


441 


oft' the  Adams  land  and  Callwells  land  laid  out  by  the  select 


men  of  Londonderry 


Rob*  Wear 
Hugh  Willson 
Moses  Barnett  [- 
Tho®  Willson  | 
Andrew  Todd  j 


Select 

Men 


Recorded  the  28**'  of  May  1738  atru  Copeay  per  Moses  Bar- 
nett town  Clark 

We  of  the  Inhabitence  of  Londondary  and  hath  Ben  Survers 
of  the  Within  Said  Road  Dothe  asertifey  that  it  is  not  good 
Land  for  A Contra  Road — Neither  Cane  it  bee  Made  a good 
high  way 

for  the  year  39  Will'"  Miirdoc 
for  the  year  40  Mathew  wright 
for  the  year  42  James  Coll  wall 


[6-105]  \^Petitio7i  f rom  Persoiis  forjuerly  belongifig  to  Dra- 

cut for  a Parish^  774/.] 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq''  Governor  and 
Commander  in  Chief  In  and  over  His  Majestys  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  in  New  England,  and  Vice  Admeral  of  y® 
Same,  To  the  Honerable  His  Majestys  Council,  for  said 
Province — 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  being  Inhabitants  and  Pro- 
prietors of  a Tract  of  Land  formerly  belonging  to  y®  Town  of 
Dracutt  in  y®  County  of  middlesex  and  Province  of  v®  Massa- 
chusitts  Bay  but  Now  of  y®  Province  of  New  Hampshire  afore 
Said — 

Most  Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  whereas  your  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  y®  Place  afore 
mentioned  being  Latlv  Sepperated  from  y^  Province  of  y® 
Massachusitts  Bay,  by  the  Settlement  of  y®  Boundary  Line,  are 
Labouring  under  many  Great  and  Greavous  difficulties,  and 
disadvantiges  at  present,  and  divers  of  us  having  suft'ered  many 
wronges  and  Injuries  by  y®  Inhabitants  of  Dracutt  who  still  pre- 
tend to  have  Jurisdiction  over  us,  and  are  Dayly  Expecting 
many  other  Difficulties  to  arise,  And  being  distetute  of  a House 
Convenient  for  y®  Publick  worship  of  God,  and  being  divested 
of  y®  previledge  of  acting  as  a Town,  and  as  we  being  Entirely 
willing  and  Content  to  yeld  all  due  obedience  and  submission 
to  y®  Government  of  New  Plampshire,  so  we  desire  in  all  hum- 
ble wise  to  be  protected  thereby — 


442 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Therefore  Your  Petitioners  Most  Humbly  pray  that  your 
Excellency  and  Honers  will  take  our  Case  into  your  wise  Con- 
sideration so  far  as  to  Erect  us  into  a Destinct  and  Sepperate 
Township  vested  with  all  such  powers  and  previledges  as  other 
Towns  in  this  Province  enjoy  encluding  all  those  Lands  on  y® 
North  of  y®  province  Boundary  Line  which  was  formerly 
granted  by  y®  province  of  y®  Massachusitts  Bay  to  y®  Town  of 
Dracutt  according  to  y®  Boundarys  thereof,  (which  your  peti- 
tioners humbly  Conceive  may  prove  an  Effectuall  Remedy  for 
many  of  our  Greavences) 

as  Your  Petitioners  by  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 


zechariah  coburn 
Josiah  Gage 
Moses  Gage 
Daniel  Gagfe 
Amos  Gage 
Simon  Beard 
Joseph  Wyman 
Thomas  Gilmor 


thomas  Sherla 
Isaac  littelhall 
edward  wyman 
Ebenezer  Richardson 
Henry  Richardson 
Joseph  Wood 
John  forgison 
iVlexander  Forguson 


[The  foregoing  was  accompanied  by  “ An  abstract  taken 
from  a Plat  of  Dracutt  Township  as  it  was  laid  out  by 

Cap^^  Jon^  Danforth  y®  26 : 3^^  1702” 

Said  plan  is  No.  106,  in  manuscript  volume. — Ed.] 


\^I^ondondei'7'y  JBoundsd\ 

The  Bounds  of  Londonderry  being  ten  miles  Square  or  so 
much  as  amounts  to  ten  miles  Square  and  no  more  begining  on 
the  north  east  angle  at  a Beech  tree  marked  which  is  the  south- 
east angle  of  Chester  and  running  from  thence  due  south  on 
Kingston  line  four  miles  and  an  half  and  from  thence  on  a west 
line  one  mile  and  three  quarters  & from  thence  south  six  Miles 
and  a half  & from  thence  west  northwest,  nine  miles  and  an 
half  and  from  thence  north  eleven  miles  and  an  half  & from 
thence  north  north  east  three  miles  from  thence  South  South 
west  to  the  south  west  angle  of  Chester  and  from  thence  on  an 
east  south  east  line  bounding  on  Chester  ten  miles  unto  the 
Beech  tree  first  Mentioned — 

[6-107  is  a plan  of  the  town,  endorsed  “ Greggs  Plat  of 
Land.”— Ed.] 


LONDONDERRY. 


443 


[6-109]  \_Relative  to  a Road, 

Province  of  New  Hampshire — 

Londonderry  May  y®  24*^  ^743* 

These  may  Certifie  that  I the  Subscriber,  am  Hartly  Satis- 
fied and  willing  that  the  town  of  Londonderry,  shall  enjoy  and 
Improve  the  Road  laid  out  by  the  Select  men  of  that  town 
about  five  years  aggo  leading  from  the  Cross  Road  that  goes 
aCross  my  land,  and  from  thence  riming  upon  the  land  of  Pat- 
rick Douglas  Will'"  Adams  & my  Self,  untill  it  meet  with  the 
Road  that  the  town  of  Chester  have  laid  out  to  the  line  between 
Chester  and  Londonderry  ; Provided  they  will  pay  me  for  what 
land  the  Road  takes  according  to  the  prise  I paid  for  it  when 
I Bought  it — 

As  Witness  my  hand  the  day  & year  above 

James  Caldwell 


[6-tio]  \_CertiJicate  of  Service  of  a Notice,  IY42.~\ 

Londonderry  fieb*'^'  6^''  1 741/2 

These  may  Certifie  Whome  it  may  Concern  that  William 
Gregg  of  said  town  hath  served  us  the  Subscribers  with  the 
Copy  of  Pettition  of  Severall  people  in  this  town  that  hath 
suplicated  the  Honourable  Court  at  Portsmouth  to  be  sett  off 
as  a parish  by  themselves  and  we  have  Notified  the  people 
Acordingly  and  their  is  none  that  makes  any  Obiection  that 
they  should  not  be  sett  ofi'  Except  three  or  foure  that  belongs 
to  the  New  parish  that  hath  land  Lying  in  the  Bounds  of  your 
petitioners — 

Wittness  our  hands 

John  Barnett  ] 

Thomas  Cochran  | 

David  vance  [-Selectmen 
Robert  McCurdy  | 

RoD‘  Cochran  j 


[6  III]  \_Report  of  a Committee  on  Roads,  iy4jd\ 

Province  Newhamp*’ 

Persuant  to  a Vote  of  the  General  Court  Bareing  Date  May 
26’^  1 743’  Subscribers  a Committee  Appointed  by  the 

Geifi‘  Court  to  goe  up  to  Chester,  and  London  Derry  to  view 
a highway  fibrmerlv  laid  out  by  Chester  and  London  Derry 
and  Recorded  in  Each  Town,  and  also  aNother  way  petitioned 


444 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


for  by  Chester  and  to  Make  report  of  your  Doeings  therein  to 
the  General  Court  att  their  Next  sessions — We  haveing  been 
up,  and  View’d  Both  Ways  and  Doe  find  that  the  Way  fform- 
erly  laid  out  from  Derry  to  Chester  is  the  Most  Conveniant 
way  for  the  Accomidation  of  both  the  towns  aforesaid  and  for 
Other  Travelers,  in  General — 

Sepf  22*^  Day,  1743 

John  Downing,  Jur  J 

Geo  Walton  ^ Committee 

Richerd  Jennes  ) 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Sept.  22,  1743,  the  report  was  accepted, 
and  the  road  established  as  recommended  by  the  committee. 
—Ed.] 

Londondery  May  the  ir  1743 

I the  Subcraber  doth  Sartifey  that  I have  receved  No  Sattis- 
faction  for  my  Land  for  highway  to  Chester  Nor  is  the  said 
Rode  not  opned  nor  Repared 

As  wittenes  my  hand — 

Parick  Douglass 


[6-112]  \^Petition  for  a Reduction  of  the  Number  of 
licensed  Taverns  in  Town^  7/jS'.] 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq.  Captain,  Gen- 
eral, Governor,  & Commander,  in  Chief,  in  & Over  his  Maj- 
esty’s, Province  of  New-Hampshire,  The  Honourable  his 
Majesty’s  Council,  & House  of  Representatives,  in  General, 
Assembly,  Convened. 

The  Humble  Petition,  of  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Lon- 
donderry & Province  aforeSaid,  Humbly  Sheweth,  That  the 
Number,  of  Taverns,  are  so  Multiplied,  in  Londonderry  Afore- 
said, they  are  become  a Snare  to  the  Youth,  & of  Evil  Ten- 
dency, to  every  Age  of  Injudicious  persons,  & if  they  are  All 
Continued  (or  which  is  worse  Increased)  we  fear  they  will 
More  & More  Debase,  & Debauch,  the  Manners  & Morals  of 
All  such  persons  as  Abovesaid. 

Therefore  Your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray,  that  for  the  future 
there  may  be  but  four  Taverns,  & Retailers,  Alowed  in  Lon- 
donderry, aforeSaid,  & the  Inn-holders,  to  be  Chosen  by  A 
majority,  of  Votes  at  the  Annual  Meeting,  & so  Annually  Un- 
till the  Circumstances,  of  the  Town  Requires  a greater.  Num- 
ber, & them  that  are  pro  Tempore,  to  be  under  such  Regula- 
tions, in  Respect  to  Travellers,  Towns-Men  Sabbath-Days,  & 


LONDONDERRY. 


445 


every  night,  as  in  your  Great  Wisdoms  you  think  Most  Con- 
venient, & most  Conducive,  to  Incourage  Virtue  & Discourage 
Vice,  & your  Petitioners,  as  in  Duty  Bound,  Will  ever  Pray. 


Samuell  Gregg 
Sam’^  Alison  Jun’’ 
SanV  miller 

his 

So'i  o Alls 

mark 

liLigh  young 
James  Taggart 
James  Anderson 
Robert  Craig 
James  Doack 
Nathaniel  Aiken 
Nathanel  Holms 
Jo"  Wallace 
Rob*^  Parkeson 
Joseph  Cochran 
John  gi  11  more 
Robert  Boyes 


Mathew  Thornton 
William  Wallace 
Thomas  Gregg 
James  Ervins 
James  Campbell 
Robert  Logan 
William  humphra 
Samuel  morrison 
John  Ramsey 
Samu’  moore 
Samu^  Alison 
John  morrison 
Rob‘  Wallace 
James  Wallace 
Thomas  Willson 
Ja®  M'^G regore 
James  Blair 


John  m^keen 
John  moor 
Hugh  Montgomery 
David  rnountgumrey 
Robert  morison 
David  anderson 
Jn°  Wiear 
Thomas  Morison 
Sam'^  Mitchel  Jur 
thomas  Creaige 
David  Steel 
Mo®  Barnett 
Andrew  Clendinin 
James  Wallace 
Thomas  Wallace 


[6-114]  \_Special  Tow  n- Meeting  called  for  ^ 


To  The  HoiP'®  the  House  of  Represen®  for  the  Province  of  New 
Hamp*'  now  Convened — 

The  Petition  of  James  Nesmith  and  Sam^  Barr  two  of  the 
Select  men  of  the  Town  of  Londonderry  in  the  Province  afores*^ 
in  behalf  of  the  other  Select  men  of  the  Said  Town,  for  them- 
selves, an  in  the  behalf  of  the  said  Town  Humbly  Sheweth — 


That  by  the  IMalefeazance  of  one  of  the  Constables  of  the  Said 
Town  and  the  Interruption  and  Disturbance  made  by  a party  of 
the  Inhabit®  at  the  Meeting  of  the  Said  Inhab‘®  to  Choose  a Rep- 
resent® for  the  Said  Town,  the  End  and  Design  of  the  Said 
Meeting  was  Intirelv  defeated  and  the  Same  broke  up  without 
Choosing  any  as  y®  Hon’^'®  House  may  See  by  the  Return  of  the 
Sheriff  &c. — So  that  the  Said  Town  is  now  in  this  Session  of 
y®  Geif  Court  without  a Representive  which  may  possibly  be  of 
111  Consequence  to  the  Same — wherefore  yo*"  Petition''®  Humbly 
pray  that  the  Hoiff^®  House  would  order  that  the  Inhab*®  of  the 
Said  Town,  may  meet  Immediately  & Choose  Some  proper 
Person  to  Represent  them  in  this  Court  and  in  order  thereunto 
to  Direct  a precept  to  the  proper  Persons  to  See  that  matter 
Effected,  or  proceed  in  Such  other  manner  as  the  Exigence  of 


446 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  affair  Requires  and  as  shall  to  you  in  yo’'  Wisdom  Seem 
meet — 

Yo*"  Petition”  will  as  in  Duty  bound  ever  pray 

James  Nesmith 
Samuell  Barr 


[6-115]  \^Relative  to  Taxes^ 

Provence  of  New  hempshier  Londondery  february  th  27  1745/6 

Reseved  from  Ebeneser  Spalding  the  Sume  of  two  Pound  old 
tenor  for  his  toun  and  Provence  Rats  for  the  year  1745  as  wit- 
nes  my  hand  Samuel  Dickey  Constable 


[6-1 16] 

Londonderry  December  th  4*1745 


Joseph  Butler  is  Reated 
Gorg  Bures  is  Reated 
Moses  Beeret  is  Reated 
James  Beeret  is  Reated 

this  is  a true  Copey  taken  out 
the  Select  men  per 


5-8 

0- 18-1 

1- 05-5 
1-02-2 

the  list  Comited  to  me  by- 
Samuel  Dickey  Con® 


[6-117]  [ Order  to  the  Constable  to  collect  Taxes ^ zyd^.] 

Provence  of  Newhampshir 

• Londonderry  Agust  the  21  : 1764, 

to  Robert  Barnett  Collector  for  the  old  parish  on  westerly 
Side  of  Bovour  Brook  In  Said  Londonderry  : you  are  hereby 
Required  and  Commanded  to  Collect  the  foiling  Somes  as  they 
are  anexed  to  Each  persons  names  in  this  List  it  being  all  old 
tener  In  order  to  pay  the  Rev’*^  W*"  Davisons  Sailary  for  his  La- 
bours amoungst  us  in  the  ministry  for  the  Corrant  year  for  which 
he  Shall  have  an  order  for  from  us  the  Subscribers  for  the  Som 
}mu  are  to  pay  and  the  Remainder  you  are  to  pay  to  us  or  our 
order  to  Defray  the  parish  Charges  In  the  present  year  and 
whom  So  Ever  Shall  Neglect  or  Refuse  to  pay  the  Som  or  Somes 
anexed  to  ther  nams  vou  are  to  make  Distres  as  the  Law  Di- 
rects  and  for  want  of  Goods  or  Chattels  wheron  to  Distrain  you 
are  to  take  the  Bodeys  of  them  that  So  Refuses  or  neglects  to 
pay  and  Committ  him  hir  or  them  Into  the  Common  Goall  at 


LONDONDERRY. 


447 


Portsmouth  in  Said  provence  ther  to  Remain  untill  they  pay  the 
Som  or  Somes  So  afixed  to  ther  nams  with  all  Lawfull  Charges 
arising  ther  from  or  otherwise  untill  they  be  Discharged  By  due 
Cource  of  Law  and  the  Soms  So  Colectted  you  are  to  pay  and 
answer  the  order  as  above  at  or  Before  the  Last  Day  of  Novem- 
ber next  InShuing  the  Deat  and  this  Shall  Be  your  warent 
Given  under  our  hands  and  Seal  the  Day  and  year  above 

Andrew  Todd")  q , 

Samu^  Barr  > , , 
JohnGUmor  j 

Londonderry  September  th  12  : 1766 

Recivd  of  Fetter  Evins  the  Sume  of  nine  Shillings  Lafull 
money  it  Being  in  full  for  the  Redemison  of  Goods  taken  By 
Distress  from  him  By  me  By  Vertue  of  a waren  from  the  Select 
Men  of  the  town  of  Londonderry  for  the  Collecting  the  Salery 
of  the  Rev*  Davison  for  the  year  1764 — 

Robert  Barnett  Colecter 

Wittness  Present 

Jn®  Caldwell 

Robert  Morison 


\^-wZ'\\^Relative  to  the  Electio7i  of  a7i  Asse7nblyman^  1^62. 

Provance  of  Newhampshire 
Lond’'^,  Jan*"^'  y®  i8‘*'  1762 

In  Obedence  to  the  within  warrant,  it  being  Legally  CalP, 
the  freeholders  of  S'*  Lond'^^  and  windham  Met  on  S'*  Day,  and 
after  Reading  the  warrants  for  S'*  meeting,  they  Chose  for  Alod- 
erater  for  S'*  meeting  Coll"  Andrew  Todd  then  the  moderate!*, 
put  it  to  a vote  to  See  if  they  would  have  the  assembly  man 
Chosen  by  a writen  Vote  or  an  hand  Vote,  and  it  Carried  to 
have  him  by  a writen  Vote,  and  by  the  moderaters  orders  I 
Rec'*  the  Vots  and  Counted  them,  and  their  was  in  Noumber 
for  Coll"  Barr  Seventy  Six,  and  for  Ensin  M'^Greger  Eighty 
Seven  and  for  m’’  Rob*  Clark  thirty  Six,  then  theire  was  a Con- 
test Rose  in  the  meeting  before  the  vots  was  made  publick  that 
the  vote  was  not  fair  in  the  afors'*  vote,  and  they  Contested 
about  it  for  Some  time,  and  then  the  Moderate!*  told  them  that 
he  would  Give  them  the  vote  againe,  and  also  he  Give  them  a 
vote  to  See  wither  they  wold  be  pol’d  off,  or  haveawriten  Vote, 
and  it  Carried  to  have  awriten  Vote,  and  I was  ordered  by  the 
moderate!*  to  Recive  the  Vots  the  Second  time,  and  theire  was 
for  Coll"  Sam**  Barr  Seventy  two,  and  for  Ensin  James  M'^Greg- 


448 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


er  Six,  and  for  Rob‘  Clark  two,  and  I Retorned  the  Noumber 
to  the  Moderate!*,  and  after  wards  he  Nomenated  Coll“  Sam^ 
Barr  Chosen  to  be  our  assembley  Man. 

a true  Copey  of  the  mi  nits  of  the  afores*^  meeting 

attest  per  Mo®  Barnett  town  Clerk 


[6-119]  \^Election  of  Assemblyinan  disputed^  1^62. 

To  y®  Honourable  House  of  Representatives,  for  the  Province 
of  New-Hampshire,  in  General  Assembly  Convened, 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants,  & Freeholders, 
in  Londonderry,  & Windham,  in  the  Province  Aforesaid, 
Qiialified  by  Law  to  Vote  in  Electing  Representatives,  Humbly 
Shews  ; — 

That  Your  Petitioners,  together  with  Other  Inhabitants,  & 
Freeholders,  Of  the  Towns  Afores'^,  Qiialified  as  Afores'^,  Being 
Notified  Agreeable  to  Usual  Custom,  Met  in  Londonderry 
Afores^^,  & then  & there  proceeded,  as  May  Appear  by  a Copy 
of  S^  Meeting  herewith  Exhibited. 

And  Whereas,  it  has  Allwiys  been  the  Custom  in  London- 
derry Afores^  in  Chusing  a Representative  or  a Town  Officer, 
That  he  who  had  the  Majority  of  Votes  Compaired  with  any 
other  Individual  voted  for,  was  Deem’d  Legally  Chosen : 
Therefore,  Numbers  of  your  Petitioners,  when  it  was  known 
that  James  M®gregore,  Gent“  had  the  Majority  of  Votes  By 
Eleven  Compaired  as  Above,  Left  the  Meeting,  & far  the 
greater  Number  of  those  that  Staid,  beleiving  as  Aboves*^,  Did 
not  Vote,  But  if  it  is,  as  Some  Alledge,  that  the  person  Chosen 
Representative,  must  have  the  Majority  of  all  the  votes  then  by 
our  Mistake  we  have  Mised  the  Opportunity,  & neglected  to 
Emprove  our  Priviledge  of  voting  for  or  Against  a Representa- 
tive ; & the  Gentleman  s^  to  be  our  Representative,  was  not 
Chosen  by  the  Majority  of  V oters,  belonging  to  the  Aboves*^ 
Towns  Nor  by  the  Majority  then  present  as  will  Appear  by  the 
Above  s*^  Copy.  Now  if  our  Custom  is  According  to  Law, 
James  M®gregore  aboves*^  is  Representative  for  the  abovesaid 
Towns,  & we  Doubt  not  will  be  Declared  so  by  your  Honours, 
& Accordingly  Allow’d  a Seat  in  your  Honourable  House  ; But 
if  y®  Latter  is  Law,  we  beleive  you  to  be.  Gentlemen,  of  too 
much  Justice,  Integrity,  & Disinterested,  Love  for  the  Liber- 
ties, & properties,  Of  your  Fellow  Subjects,  to  Take  the  Ad- 
vantage of  our  Unacquaintedness  with  Law,  or  to  let  any  man 
have  a Seat  in  your  Honourable  House,  that  Obtain’d  it  any 
Other  Way  but  by  the  free  Choice  of  a free  people,  or  that 


LONDONDERRY. 


449 


would  hold  it  any  other  Way,  if  in  his  power.  Therefore, 
Your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray  your  Honours  to  Declare  the 
8*1  M^gregore  our  Representative,  or  order  the  Selectmen  of 
Londonderay,  & Windham  afores*^  to  Warn,  the  Inhabitants 
Qualified  as  afores*^  to  meet  at  Such  time  & place  as  you  think 
fit,  & Elect  a Representative,  According  to  Law,  & Such  a 
man  as  the  Majority,  will  be  willing  to  Intrust  with  their  Lib- 
erties, & Properties,  & Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  will 
ever  pray. 

Dated  at  Londonderry  Jan^  25^^ — AD  1762. — 


Mathew  Thornton 
Robert  Boyes 
Samuel  Rankin 
James  Rogers 
Robert  Mack  JuiP 
William  Rankin 
Joseph  Cochran 
James  Cochran 
John  Wiar 
Thomas  Campbell 
Robert  Adams 
David  Mountgomery 
Daniel  M'^'^Neil 
Daniel  M®®Dufty 
James  Adams 
Jonathan  Gilmore 
George  Moors 
Jesse  Christey 
Thomas  Christey 
Robert  M‘^‘^Farland 
Samuel  Karr 
James  Campble 
Samuel  Archibald 
Matthew  Taylor 
Nathaniel  Aiken 

Jun’’ 

William  Cunning- 
ham 

Elias  Serjeant 
Tru worthy  Serjeant 
John  Taylor 
Hugh  Greeg 
John  Patten 
James  Miltimber 
David  Anderson 
James  Anderson 

31 


Alexander  M°*Mur- 
phy 

James  M'^'^Murphy 
James  Blair 
John  Wadle 
William  Adams 
Jonathan  Adams 
William  Adams  Jun 
Patrick  Dugless 
William  Eayrs 
Robert  Morrison 
James  AP'^Murphy 
JuiP 

Robert  Fultin 
Samuel  Fisher 
Samuel  Morrison 
John  Hilandes 
Thomas  Hilandes 
Aloses  Wattes 
Robert  Davidson 
John  Aiken  JuiF 
James  Aiken 
Benjamin  Nesmith 
John  Rogers 
John  Aloor 
James  Boyes 
George  Duncan 
John  Duncan 
John  Duncan  Jun*" 
William  Duncan 
John  Aiken 
William  Eayers  Jun' 
Edward  Aiken 
Nathaniel  Aiken 
John  Bell 
Alatthew  Pinkerton 


Robert  Boyd 
Hugh  Moor 
Robert  Campble 
Samuel  Graham 
John  Clark 
Edward  Aiken  JuiF 
William  Aiken 
James  Anderson 
William  Boyd 
Robert  Cunningham 
John  Senter 
Samuel  Senter 
Reuben  Senter 
James  Gregg 
William  Alexander 
John  Woodburn 
William  Dickey 
Joseph  Willson 
John  Thompson 
Samuel  Thompson 
Alexander  M'^^Ales- 
ter 

Alatthew  Clark 
Joseph  Moor 
Thomas  Nesmith 
Thomas  Burnside 
William  Dinsmore 
Robert  Dinsmore 
John  Cochran 
John  Dinsmore 
James  Jamison 
William  Jamison 
James  Hopkins 
John  Hopkins  Jun’’ 
John  Hopkins 
Sampson  Moor 


450 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


James  Lindsay 
Stephen  Holland 
John  Wallace 
George  Clark 
George  Clark  Jun’’ 
Alexander  Patterson 
Robert  Patterson 
Thomas  Willson 
John  Brown 
Robert  Archibald 
Robert  M'^^Murphy 
Samuel  Huestin 
Alexander  Huestin 
John  Hunter 


Isaac  Bruster 
John  Scoby 
John  Pinkerton  Jun*" 
David  Pinkerton 
John  Mack 
Robert  Mack  Jun*" 
William  Wallace 
Christopher  Eayrs 
James  Betton 
James  M'^^Cormick 
John  Mountgomery 
James  Campble  Jun^ 
James  Taggart 
Robert  Logan 


Thomas  Craig 
John  Nesmith 
William  Miltimber 
James  Clark 
William  Taylor 
George  Scoot 
David  Archibald 
William  Fisher 
George  Clark  the 
third 

Samuel  Clark 
John  M'^^Keen 
John  Gregg 
Samuel  Gregg 


[Set  aside,  and  a new  writ  from  the  house  sent  out. — 
Ed.] 


[R.  2-192]  \_Abstracts  from  Petitions  of  Pre7tch  War  sol- 
di ers,~\ 

[In  a petition  dated  “ Londonderry  this  5^^  day  of  Feb- 
ruary 1757,”  Daniel  McMurphy  stated  that  he  was  in  the 
service  in  1756,  in  Capt.  John  Shepard’s  company,  and  lost 
his  gun,  for  which  he  wanted  pay,  and  was  allowed  ;£8,  5. 
—Ed.] 


[R.  2-193]  [In  a petition,  dated  March  17,  1757,  James 
Ligget  stated  that  he  was  in  Capt.  John  Moor’s  company 
in  the  Crown  Point  expedition,  enlisted  April  28,  1755,  and 
was  discharged  October  10,  1755. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-194]  The  Petition  of  Moses  Grimes  of  Londonderry 
Labourer,  Most  Humbly  Sheweth,  That  your  Petitioner  was  a 
Souldier  in  the  Canada  Expedition  in  the  year  i757i  die  Ser- 
vice of  this  Province  under  the  Command  of  Cap*  Hercules 
Mooney  & as  such  Proceeded  to  Fort  William  Henry,  where 
after  the  seige  he  was  Taken  & made  Prisoner  by  the  Indians 
& Carryed  to  Canada,  where  he  remained  about  the  Space  of 
four  months  & was  from  thence  Transported  to  several  parts  of 
France  & from  thence  To  Plymouth  in  England  where  he  Took 
Passage  to  Newfoundland  & from  thence  to  New  York  where 


LONDONDERRY. 


451 


he  arrived  the  Tenth  Day  of  November  1758  & got  home  about 
fourth  day  of  December,  That  your  Petitioner  During  his  Cap- 
tivity had  Hard  fare  & 111  Treatment  from  the  enemy. — * * * 

Moses  Grimes 

[He  asked  for  an  allowance,  which  was  granted  to  the 
amount  of  tenor,  March  14,  1759. — Ed.] 


[6-120]  \_R.elative  to  the  Formation  of  Counties^  /ydp.] 
Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Gov*’  & Commander 
in  Cheif  And  to  the  Honourable  his  Maj‘®  Councel  and  House 
of  Representetives  for  s*^  Provence  in  General  Assembly  Con- 
veen’d — 


The  Petition  of  us  the  subscribers  being  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Londonderry  in  s^  Province  Most  Humbly  sheweth 
that  Your  Petitioners  being  Inform‘d  that  the  province  is  About 
being  devided  into  Countys  for  the  ease  and  benefit  of  the  Inhab- 
itants in  General  in  transacting  their  business  of  a Publick  na- 
ture & being  also  Inform‘d  that  the  General  Assembly  have  Voted 
a small  County  to  be  sett  off  adjacent  to  the  Westerly  side  of 
Merrimack,  VVe  Your  Petitioners  pray  that  the  Towns  of  Bow 
Chester  Londonderry  Pelham  Plasto  salem  Hampsted  Sandown 
which  lay  Conveninently  situated  to  s*^  County  May  be  anexed 
thereto  as  it  wou’d  save  the  most  of  the  Inhabitants  of  s*^  Towns 
thirty  Miles  travell  in  transacting  their  busines  with  Courts 
Judges  of  Probate  Register  &c  And  no  other  persons  whatso- 
ever wou’d  (as  your  Petitioners  Concieve)  be  Injur’d  thereby — 
And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 


Sam"  Boves 
Geo  Reid 
John  Steward 
Samuel  Wilson 
Thomas  Steel 
John  morison 
Nath'  Martin 
JiP  Steel 
John  Stewart  Ju*" 


WilP^  Clendinen 
Rob'  Clendinen 
John  Morison  Jifi 
mathew  Reidju 
John  Reid 
James  morrow 
John  Hopkins 
James  thompson 
James  Nesmith 


Matin'^  Taylor 
Samuel  Taylor 
John  H ughes 
Adam  Taylor 
John  Durham 
Henry  Scott 
John  Douglass 
John  Durham 


[Other  petitions  of  the  same  date  and  nature  contain  the 
following  names  : — Ed.] 


452 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Gregg 
Nath^^  aiken 
John  Cofren 
Samuel  paten 
John  Patten 
John  Gregg 
James  Gregg 
William  Gregg 
George  Gregg 
Benjamin  Gregg 
Sam^^  Alison 
Sam^  Allison — Ju’' 
thomas  Creage 
David  Craige 
John  Cate 
James  m'^murphy 
Joseph  Hogg 
Abra"^  Duncan 
Tho®  m'^Cleary 
Samuel  Morrison 
Maur.  Lynch 
moses  wats 
John  Aiken 
Thomas  Hilande 
Robert  Boyes 
David  m'^clearey 
John  Watts 
Mathew  Thornton 
George  Duncan  Jun 
Charles  mellen 
Robert  Craige 
John  moor 
Robert  moor 
John  moor 


Patrck  Dugles 
Samuel  Clark 
Samuel  morison 
James  Cochran 
Johnthen  Cochran 
Samuel  miliar  Juner 
John  miller 
Hugh  mountgumry 
John  dicky 
addam  dicky 
Josaph  Bell 
Will'"  Hogg 
Ja®  Hogg 
Jn®  Hilands 
Adam  Wiar 
Will'"  Wiar 
Willia  Holms 
John  Duncan  inner 
John  Duncan 
James  Aiken 
Joseph  Oughterson 
David  Oughterson 
william  Duncan 
george  Duncan 
James  Doack 
John  Doack 
James  Doack 
James  Miltmer 
william  Miltmer 
James  Hopkens 
Daniel  Miltmer 
John  Thompson 
James  Wallace 
Joseph  Cochran 


James  Donaldson 
Samuell  Renkin 
James  Ewins 
William  Elliot 
Alexander  Kelso 
W*"  Adams 
George  Cochran 
Robert  Moor 
NatH  Clark 
Alexander  Cochran 
John  Cochran 
Wiliam  Cochran 
Edward  Clemison 
Georg  Duncan 
Robert  Duncan 
Robert  Barnett 
John  Barnett 
John  Barnett  Junr 
James  Duncan 
Sam’  Dickey 
Adam  Dickey 
Robert  Dickey 
William  Wallace 
Joseph  Clyd 
James  Millican 
Nethanel  Hemphill 
Thomas  Clark 
Will'"  Dickey 
John  Armstrong 
John  Armstrong  Ju' 
David  Gregg 
Thomas  Cochran 
Elijah  Cochran 


[The  following  are  from  Windham  :] 


Robert  Smith 
Nath’  Hemphill 
James  anderson 
John  Clyd 


Hugh  Clyd 
John  Campbel 
James  Betton 
David  Armstrong 


Will'"  Campbel 
Robert  Hemphill 


[The  following  are  from  Londonderry  :] 


Will'"  Rogers 
George  Davidson 
John  Davidson 
John  MCartney 


Joseph  morrison  George  m°Allaster 

Abraham  morison  Edward  Aiken 
James  Shellis  William  Eayers 

Joseph  Morison  Jun'' John  Woodburn 


LONDONDERRY. 


453 


Alexander  Davidso 
nenian  cochran 
william  Alexander 
John  Alexander 
Robert  Anderson 
James  Anderson 
John  Anderson 
John  Steel 
John  Steel  jur 
moses  Steel 
William  steel 
Joseph  Steell 
Isaac  Page 
Moses  Grimes 
Frances  Grimes 
Frances  Grimes 
Juner 

John  Campbell 
thomas  Smith 
William  adams 
Hugh  Smith 
David  Campbell 
John  smith 
William  Hood 
James  Barnet 
Reuben  Page 
Reuben  page  inner 
Simon  Bradcest 
Richard  marshall 
inner 

Richard  marshall 
the  third 
David  Lawrance 
Peter  Robinson 
Benjamin  Kidder 
Daniel  Marshall 
Andrew  Cummings 
Isaac  Cumings 
John  marshall 
wily  am  Graham 
Richard  marshall 
Samson  Kidder 
Mathew  Reid 
William  Pettarson 
Thomas  Campbell 
Daniel  m‘^Neal 
Robert  morison 


William  Alexander 
Isaack  Cochran 
Sam^’  Cochran 
Sam'^  Wallace 
W™  Johnston 
David  Clendinin 
Plugh  Danshe 
John  Crombie  Junr 
W'"  Eayrs 
James  Christy 
James  Crombie 
John  Wallace 
James  Lindsay 
James  Blair 
John  Ramsey 
W«»  Blair 
John  Crombie 
Eliphlet  Dusten 
William  Brodneck 
Rob*  Clark 
JiP  Clark 
Sa”  Clark 
James  Ramsey 
James  Ramsey  Jun^ 
William  Ramsey 
Jam®  Eyars 
Charles  Cox 
William  Cox 
William  Cox  JuiF 
Rob*  Smith 
Will'"  Ranken 
Samuel  morison 
Mo®  Barnett 
John  Barnet 
James  Barnet 
Rob*  Barnet 
Alexander  Miller 
Steph"  Holland 
Reuben  Senter 
Jabes  Town 
William  Boyd 
James  anderson 
Benjamin  Wilson 
James  anderson 
Thomas  mann 
Edward  Aiken 
Joseph  Boyd 


Sam**  Senter 
Benjamin  Senter 
Robert  Mack  junr 
Robert  Patterson 
Thomas  Patterson 
John  Patterson 
Rober*  Thomson 
Rober*  Fulton 
David  mountgumrey 
Samul  graham 
Adam  Dickey 
Elisha  Cumings 
Hugh  mountgumrey 
George  Burrows 
David  Peabody 
Philip  marshall 
Robert  MacMurphy 
Robert  Adams 
John  Moor 
william  morrow 
Jonathan  Adams 
John  Holmes 
John  Dinsmoor 
William  Dinsmoor 
Rob*  Dinsmoor 
Sam**  Morison 
David  Smiley 
John  Morison 
John  Stewart 
Benjamin  Thom 
Sam**  Morison  J*^ 
William  Thom 
Robert  Park 
David  Hopkins 
Gain  Armour 
jn®  Morrow 
jam®  Morrow 
Moses  Dutty 
Aurther  Darrah 
James  Gillmore 
Alex'**"  Park 
Sam**  McAdams 
Mark  Coin 
Joseph  Smith 
Alex'*''  Wilson 
John  Wilson 
thomas  wilson 


454 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Boyes 
Robert  Boyes 
Sam'  Greg 
Abram  Reed 
John  Livingston 
Allexander  Stewart 
John  Barr 
James  Alexander 
Andrew  Jack 
James  Cochran  Jur 
John  Stinson 
Nathan  Stinson 
James  Stinson 
Archibald  Clindenen 
David  Morison 


James  Patterson  Alex*'  Richey 
Ebenezer  Patterson  Tho*"  Jameson 
John  Clark  James  Jameson 

Samuil  Thompson  william  Jameson 
John  Thompson  Allex^*'  Simpson 


Joseph  Willson 
John  Willson 
James  Gregg 
David  Woodburn 
John  Woodburn 
thomas  willson 
Petter  Patterson 


Adam  Tempelton 
Charles  Annes 
RoV  hopkin 
And"’  Armour 
Jam®  Thomson 
jn‘^  Tudl 
Hen’’^  Campbel 


Alexander  nPallster  Sam"  Campbel 
Archibald  m'^AllasterWill’"  Campbel 
John  m'^Allaster  jn°  Karr 


[6-128]  \^An  Address  to  the  Governor^  ///j.] 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*’  Cap'  Gen'  and  Gov*" 
in  chief  in  and  over  his  Majestys  Province  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 

The  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Londonderry,  beg  leave  to 
approach  your  ExcelP  and  to  express  their  sentiments  of  grati- 
tude, and  affection,  to  your  Excellency’s  person,  and  adminis- 
tration.— 

We  esteem  it  a peculiar  mark  of  the  favor  of  his  gratious 
Majesty,  that  he  has  appointed  to  the  supream  command  here, 
a Gentleman  whose  birth,  and  education,  have  been  in  the 
province,  over  which  he  presides.  From  these  circumstances, 
and  your  ExcelP®  known  character,  we  early  conceived,  the 
most  sanguine  hopes,  from  your  administration.  Nor  have  we 
been  disappointed.  The  unabated  attention  you  have  given  to 
the  intrests  of  the  Province,  has  not  only  been  felt  by  the  peo- 
ple of  your  charge  ; but  has  been  observed  (we  had  almost  said 
envied)  by  our  neighbours  who  are  without  the  line  of  your 
jurisdiction. 

The  cultivation  of  land  within  the  government,  and  the  ex- 
tention  of  settlem'  even  to  regions  that  w^ere  scarce  known 
when  your  ExcelP  came  to  the  chair,  must  be  attributed  in  a 
great  measure,  to  your  care,  and  the  benignity  of  your  Govern- 
ment, But  it  has  not  been  in  this  view  alone  that  you  have  been 
the  Patron  of  this  people.  To  extend  settlements,  or  to  culti- 
vate lands,  while  the  people  that  settle  and  cultivate,  are  with- 
out the  means  of  knowledge,  might  be  rather  injurious  than 
beneficial.  But  these  have  not  escaped  your  Excellence®  atten- 
tion. The  institution  of  a College  in  the  wilderness,  and  the 


LONDONDERRY. 


455 


liberal  encouragement  it  has  received  from  your  hand  is  an 
abundant  evidence  of  this  attention. — 

We  cannot  help  mentioning  as  a peculiar  happiness,  of  the 
people  under  your  Excelh®  charge,  that  your  ears  have  been 
always  open  to  their  voice. — The  easie  access  they  have  gain’d  ; 
and  the  polite  reception  they  have  Met  with  ; from  you  has 
aflbrded  them  the  means  of  communicating  and  your  Excell^ 
of  receiving  all  necessary  information  of  their  wishes,  and  of 
their  wants. — 

We  have  been  excited  to  make  this  address  to  your  Excels  as 
a testimonial  of  our  sense  of  your  benign  Administration  ; and 
as  an  evidence  of  our  opinion  of  any  suggestions,  that  may 
have  been  made  to  the  prejudice  of  your  Excellency  in  these 
respects.  And  to  assure  you  of  our  loyalty  to  the  King  and 
our  affection  to  your  Person — 

That  your  ExcelP  may  live  long ; and  long  continue  the  hap- 
py Instrum‘  in  the  hands  of  Providence,  of  much  good  to  this 
people,  is  our  ardent  wish  and  prayer 

Londonderry  April  29  A.  D i773 — 

The  Above  Address  was  Read  in  a town-Meeting  Legally 
Called  for  that  purpose  and  it  was  Unanimously  Voted  that  it 
should  be  presented  to  His  Excellency  John  Wentw'orth  Esq. 

Atested  per  Henry  Campbell  Town  Clerk 


[6-130]  \_JRelative  to  Parish  Affairs^ 

Rockingham  ss  Londonderry  Febr^  14^*^  ^774 

To  James  Betton — Esquire  one  of  his  Majestys  justices  of  the 
Peace  for  said  County  of  Rockingham 

The  Petetions  of  us  the  Subscribers  being  freeholders  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  old  Parish  of  Londonderry  in  the  County 
aforesaid  humbly  sheweth  that  by  an  Act  of  the  general  Asem- 
bly  of  this  Province  pased  in  the  year  1739/40  there  was  A 
Parish  set  of  from  said  Town  Called  the  west  or  New  Parish 
with  Parish  priviledges  notwithstanding  which  they  the  said 
New  Parish  have  always  assembled  and  Voted  with  the  peti- 
tioners in  the  Choice  of  Select  men  and  other  Town  Officers 
and  your  petitioners  have  .no  proper  officers  of  theire  own  to 
Call  a meeting  but  have  Lost  that  Priviledge 

Your  petitioners  terefore  pray  that  aCording  To  the  Law  of 
this  Province  in  such  Cases  provded  your  honours  would  isue 
a warrant  or  notification  to  the  freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 


456 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


said  old  parish  in  Londonderry  qualified  by  law  to  vote  in  town 
affairs  to  meet  at  the  meeting  house  in  said  parish  on  the 
Day  of  march  next  at  ten  of  the  Clock  in  the  forenoon  for  the 
following  purposes  namely  to  choose  a Moderater  Town  Clerk 
Select  men  and  all  other  town  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  and 
your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray 


Stephen  Holland 
Robert  Clark 
James  Wallace 
Samuel  Alison 
moses  Barnet 
Samuel  Barr 


James  Cochran 
Robert  moor 
wdlliam  vance 
James  Alexander 
John  m®Cartney 
David  Craig 


A true  Coppey  of  the  affors*^  Pitition 


Attest  Mo*  Barnett  town  Clerk 


[6-131]  \_Petitio7i  to  have  an  Election  set  aside^ 


Province  of  Newhampshire 

To  the  hoiP*®  House  of  Representatives  for  said  province  in 

General  assembly  Conven‘d 

The  Humble  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  freeholders  in 
the  Town  of  Londonderry  and  windham  in  s^  province  sheweth 
that  Sam‘^  Livermore  Sam**  Barr  and  Stephen  Holland  Esq*"* 
and  Robert  Moor  and  John  Crombie  Gentlemen  under  Collour 
of  being  Select  men  of  a pretended  east  Town  in  London- 
derry issued  a w'arrant  for  Calling  a meeting  of  the  free- 
holders in  the  pretended  East  town  in  s'*  Londonderry  and 
allso  a Notification  to  the  freeholders  of  the  west  parish  in 
said  Londonderry  for  the  election  of  a Representative  for  said 
Londonderry  in  the  then  Next  General  Assembly  in  Conse- 
quence of  said  warrant  so  illegaly  issued  as  your  petitioners 
Conceive  there  was  a Meeting  of  part  of  the  freeholders  in  s'* 
LonDonderry  at  which  Meeting  the  part  that  inclined  to  Vote 
Chose  Stephen  Holland  Esq*"  as  a Representative  for  said  town 
y"  petitioners  Conceiving  the  s'*  Meeting  illegal  in  every  Re- 
spect Did  Not  Vote  but  protested  Against  the  unwarrantable 
proceedings  of  the  Same  Wherefore  they  pray  s'*  Election  May 
Be  adjudged  Void  and  that  they  May  have  a New  Choice  and 
your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray 

Londonderry  April  y®  12  1774 


Andrew  Todd 
George  Duncan 
San**  Fisher 


Benj“  Gregg 
Mathew  Clark 
Dav  Anderson 


Ja®  Nesmith 
Jacob  Chace 
Hugh  Moor 


LONDONDERRY. 


457 


John  Nesmith 
James  Paul 
David  Paul 
John  taylor 
Adam  taylor 
Samuel  Taylor 
James  m®keen 
Jonathan  Gill  more 
Rob‘  Mori  son 
Rob‘  Hunter 
Robert  archbold 
Arthur  archbold 
James  M®Gregore 
jii' 

Ja®  Adams 
Rob^  adams 
Rob*  M'farland 
John  Karr 
Rob*  Wallace 
James  Hopkins 
Sam*'  Elis 
will"'  Cunningham 
Simeon  Morral 
Barnes  Morral 
David  Colby 
David  Colby  Ju'’ 
David  Tayler 
will”'  Taylor 
Danil  Cheney 
Stephen  Johnson 
John  Greg 
Joseph  Gregg 
Sam"  Gregg  Ju*" 


James  Milltimber 
John  Gunion 
George  Reid 
la®  w'illson 
John  Nesmith  Ju'' 
John  Hopkins 
John  H opkins  Ju*^ 
Rob*  Plopkins 
Sam"  willson 
George  Clark 
Sam**  Clark 
Isaac  Cochran 
Thomas  Anderson 
v/ill'”  Gregg 
Ja*  Gregg 
George  Gregg 
Sam**  Marsh 
John  Marsh 
will”'  Milltimer 
John  Cochran 
John  Ann  is 
John  M^keen  Ju’’ 
Rob*  M*’keen 
Thomas  Clark 
John  M^keen 
David  M®keen 
John  Dunkan 
Thomas  Hiland 
Ja®  Donaldson 
Sam**  Morison 
Ja®  Nesmith  Ju’’ 
John  Dunkan 
will"’  Dunkan 


Rob*  M'^Cluer 
James  MacGregore 
Sam**  Karr 
John  Aiken 
Nath'*  aiken 
Ja®  Aiken 
John  Bell 
Isaac  Bluster 
John  Pinkerton 
Abraham  Dunkan 
Ja*  M‘’Murphy 
Ja®  Taggart 
George  Dunken  Ju*" 
Thomas  Taggart 
Rob*  MacNeil 
John  Hunter 
Jonathan  Adams 
Daniel  Hunter 
Sam"  Huston 
Alex’"  Huston 
Ja®  Adams 
John  waddel 
James  Waddel 
John  Wallace 
Ja®  Wallace 
George  Wallace 
Sam*  Renken 
will”'  Renken 
will”’  Cox 
Ja®  Gorman 
Joseph  Cochran 
John  Weiar 


[The  election  was  declared  illegal,  and  a precept  for  an 
other  one  issued. — Ed.] 


[6-134]  \_P>'otest  against  the  foj'egoing  named  Town- Meet- 

ing-1 

To  Sam"  Livermore  and  Samell  Barr  and  Stephen  Holland 
Esq’*  and  Robert  Moor  and  John  Crombie  Gentlemen  We  the 
Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Londonderry  and  windham  Having 
heard  that  you  have  ordered  warrants  to  be  Set  up  to  Call  a 
Meeting  at  the  Rev"  wdlliam  Davidsons  Meeting  House  on 
Saturday  y®  2"  of  April  Next  to  Chuse  a Representative  to  go  to 
the  General  Court — we  Do  Hereby  Take  this  Opportunity  of 


458 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Entring  our  protest  Aginst  any  of  your  proceedings  that  May 
Be  Transacted  at  Said  Meetincj  as  vour  Warrant  we  think  is 
without  any  Just  foundation  for  the  following  Reasons — 

Viz  that  we  Do  Not  Look  upon  you  to  be  the  Select  men  o 
LonDonderry  or  any  part  thereof  and  that  you  have  Taken  Hold 
of  the  Sherrifs  writ  Directed  to  the  Select  men  of  Londonderry 
to  warn  Said  Meeting  without  Bringing  the  Matter  in  Dispute 
who  are  the  Legal  Select  men  for  Said  Town  before  the  proper 
Judges  who  are  to  Determine  the  Same  Given  under  our  hands 
y®  twenty  Eighth  of  March  1774 


John  M®keen 
Ja®  MacGregore 
RoD  MacNeil 
Rob‘  Adams 
James  Adams 
Rob‘  Adams  Jif 
James  Hopkins 
John  Karr 
Robert  M^farland 
Robert  Wallace 
will"^  Cunningham 
Sam^‘  Eli 
william  Tayler 
David  Tayler 
Simeon  Morral 
Barnes  Morral 
Stephen  Johnston 
Abraham  Page 
Daniel  Cheney 
Ja®  Cheney 
Daniel  MacDuffe 
James  M*^G regore 

Ju' 

Jonathan  Gillmore 
Archbold  M‘^Murphy  John  Barnet 


will™  Renken 
will™  Cox 
Joseph  Cochran 
will™  Gregg 
John  Nesmith 
David  Anderson 
John  Gunnison 
Math-  Clark 
James  Gregg 
Isaac  Cochran 
Thomas  Anderson 
Thomas  Clark 
George  Gregg 
John  M*^keen  Ju^ 
David  Colby 
John  Tayler 
James  Paul 
David  paid 
Sam^‘  willson 
John  Anniss 
George  Reid 
Adam  Tayler 
Adam  Dickey 
Thomas  Taggart 


Jonathan  Adams 
John  Livingston 
Rob‘  Mori  son 
Robert  Hunter 
John  Hunter 
John  Wallace 
RoD  archbold 
Daniel  Hunter 
Sam^^  Renken 
Samuel  Huston 
John  Waddel 


James  Taggart 
John  Dunkan 
George  Dunkan  Ju^ 
Ja®  M'^Murphy 
John  Craige 
Samuel  fisher 
John  Cate 
James  Milltimber 
Sam'*  Karr 
Edward  Eli 
Robert  Boyd 


Sam"  willson  Ju*" 
Sam"  Marsh 
John  Marsh 
Ja®  willson 
will™  Miltimber 
John  Hopkins 
John  Hopkins  Ju*" 
Robert  Hopkins 
John  Nesmith  Ju*^ 
Thomas  Nesmith 
Sam"  Clark 
David  M'^keen 
will™  Dickey 
Abraham  Dunkan 
Jacob  Chase 
John  Dickey 
Joseph  Bell 
John  Pinkerton 
John  Dunkan  Ju’’ 
will™  Dunkan 
John  watt 
George  Dunkan 
John  Barnet  Ju*" 
James  Donaldson 
Thomas  Hiland 
James  Nesmith  Ju*" 
Robert  M'^Clure 
Hugh  Moor 
John  Gregg 
Benjamin  Gregg 
Sam"  Gregg 
Joseph  Gregg 
John  Aiken 
James  Ewins 
James  Aiken 
Nath"  Aiken 


LONDONDERRY. 


459 


Ja®  waddel 
James  Adams 
Mathew  Pinkerton 
Ja*  Dinsmore 
James  Wallace 
James  Blair 
Alex’’  Huston 
Rob‘  Smith 


John  Dinsmore 
will"’  Dinsmore 
John  Cochran  Ju’’ 
Isaac  Cochran  Ju’’ 
James  Cochran 
Thomas  Jamison 
Thomas  Craige 
James  Mackeen 


George  Wallace 
John  Bell 
David  Pinkerton 
John  Pinkerton  Jti’’ 
Isaac  Bruster 
Thomas  Craige  Ju^ 


Evidence  to  the  above  paper 
Samuel  gregg  Robert  mckeen 


\^Reimbu7'senient  wanted  for  Money  paid  Men  who 
turiied  out  on  the  Lexhigton  Alarm^  ^775'^ 

Londonderry  October  y*  9 : 1775. 

To  the  Honourable  Congress  of  the  Colony  of  New  Hamp- 
shire Convened  at  Exeter — 

Gentlemen  We  the  Subscribers  being  Selectmen  for 
Londonderry  Begs  leave  to  lay  Before  your  Honours 
That  upon  the  Comencement  of  Hostilitys  by  the 
Kings  Troops  Last  april  we  raised  a Company 
of  fifty  men  and  Sent  Down  upon  that  Emergency 
and  we  advanced  Twelve  Pound  L : M : for  their 
Support  as  Billiting  money  Said  Company  Rema*ined 
There  upon  Duty  Eleven  Days  untill  they  were 
Dismised  for  that  Time  in  order  to  Inlist  a full 
Company  to  Join  the  Contenentall  army  untill 
The  last  of  Next  December  and  when  said 
Company  was  raised  we  again  advanced  Six 
Pound  L : M : as  Billeting  money  to  Carry  them 
To  Head  Qiiarters 

Wherefore  we  Pray  that  your  Honours  would  Take 
This  matter  under  vour  Consideration  and 
Reimburse  Said  Sums  with  the  wages  of  said 
Company  for  the  aforesaid  Eleven  Days  unto 
your  petitioners  as  said  Company  is  very 
Earnest  upon  us  for  their  Wages  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Mo®  Barnett 
Will’"  Duncan 
Sam'^  Allison 
Hugh  Montgomery 
John  Bell 


460 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2-195] 

[In  a petition  dated  June  14,  1764,  Thomas  Launen,  of 
Londonderry,  stated  that  he  “ Served  his  majesty  as  a Sol- 
dier in  Cap*  Nehemiah  Lovells  Company  in  the  Pay  of  this 
Province  in  1762.”  His  pay  had  been  drawn  on  a forged 
order.  In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  15,  1764,  he  was  allowed 
£7,  14,  6 —Ed.] 


[R.  2-197] 

[Thomas  Davidson,  of  Londonderry,  stated  that  his  son 
William  was  “a  Soldier  in  the  year  1762,  under  the  Com- 
mand of  Cap*  John  Hazzen  in  Col^  John  Goffes  Regiment.” 
He  was  sick  at  Crown  Point,  and  there  died  January  10, 
1763.  Samuel  Barr,  acting  as  attorney  for  said  Thomas, 
petitioned  for  the  wages  due  said  William. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-199] 

This  May  certify  that  the  bearer  John  Livingston  within 
named  went  to  Exeter  and  Brought  A Horse  and  Cart  from 
there  to  Londonderry  and  Canw^^  His  Tools  from  there  on  his 
Expence  to  Medford  to  work  as  an  armourer  for  y®  Continental! 
army 

James  M®Gregore 

April  y®  ^77^ 

[He  presented  a bill  of  expense  amounting  to  £\,  7,  i. 
— Ed.] 


[R.  2-200J  \_Petition  of  David  George^  Soldier^  Z'77d.] 

[In  a petition  dated  Londonderry,  P'ebruary  20,  1776, 
David  George  stated  that  he  was  “ in  Col®  Arnolds  Regm* 
going  from  Head  Quarters  to  Canada  and  going  up  Kene- 
bunk  River  the  Batue  overset  and  I lost  my  gun  ; ” and 
further  stated  that  he  “ Bought  another  gun  from  Samuel 
Cherry,  and  at  the  Time  when  general!  mountgomery 
attempted  to  Storm  Quebeck  your  Petitioner  was  sick  in 
Hospitle  and  my  gun  was  taken  by  a soldier  who  was  taken 
Prisoner  and  I Lost  her.”  He  asked  to  be  paid  for  the 
guns. — Ed.] 


LONDONDERRY. 


461 


[R.  2-201]  \_Service  of  Minute  Men^  ^775*] 

To  the  Gentlemen  members  of  the  provincial  Congress  in 
Assembly  Conven’d  we  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  London- 
derry humbly  shews  that  we  the  said  Inhabitants  of  said  town 
afores*^  on  hearing  'of  the  alarm  and  dangerous  Estate  of  our 
fellow  brethren  on  the  nineteenth  of  April  last  and  likewise 
after  the  battle  at  Bunker  Hill  repaired  severall  of  us  to  their 
help  which  cost  us  much  both  money  and  time  which  we  hum- 
bly pray  you  to  consider  and  if  you  see  fit  be  pleased  to  allow 
us  a reasonable  consideration  as  a Retaliation  for  the  following 
charges  occasioned  by  the  same 

at  Concord  alarm 

James  Nesmith  for  travel  in  going  and  coming  from  London- 
derry to  Cambridge  90  miles  and  3 days  service 

John  Morrison  Juifi  for  travel  90  miles  & 3 days  service  as 
above 

Robert  Wilson  for  travel  forty  five  miles  also  8 lb  of  pork  and 
25  lb  of  bread 

John  Barnet  9 lb  of  Poark  and  9 lb  of  Bread 
Samuel  Morrison  for  travel  45  miles 
Matthew  Dickey  Ditto  45  miles 

After  the  battle  at  Bunker  hill 

Robert  Willson  Serving  as  a Capt,  being  chosen  for  an 
Emergency  as  a minute  oficer  for  travel  90  miles  and  3 days 
Service 

Joseph  Hogg  as  a Lieut,  for  travel  90  miles  and  3 days  Ser- 
vice 

James  Nesmith  Jifi  as  an  Ensign  for  travel  90  miles  and  3 
days  Service 

Samuel  Morrison  for  travel  90  miles  and  3 days  Service 
John  Watts  Ditto  90  miles  and  3 days  Service 
Moses  Watts  Ditto  90  miles  and  3 days  Service 
Josiah  Duncan  90  miles  and  3 days  Service 
Robert  Hodge  for  90  miles  travel  and  3 days  Service 
Hugh  Jameson  Ditto  90  miles  and  3 days  Service 
James  Boyes  Jur  for  90  miles  travel  also  3 days  Ditto 
James  Boyes  f 3*^  Ditto  90  miles  travel  and  3 days  Service 
Jonathan  George  for  90  miles  travel  and  3 days  Service 
John  Moor  Ditto  90  miles  travel  and  3 days  Service 

the  following  persons  travelled  about  40  miles  and  then  re- 
turned home  again  on  their  hearing  that  they  were  not  needed — 


462 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


James  Thompson  and  James  Donaldson  as  Sergeants 
will"'  wier  w"'  Lyon  Thomas  m^Cleary  James  hogg  Alex'" 
Craige  John  Morrison 

[R.  2-202] 

[William  MacMurphy  stated,  in  a petition  dated  March 
21,  1777,  that  he  was  “a  soldier  in  Cap*  Joseph  Estabrook 
Company  in  CoD  Timothy  Biddles  Regiment  was  taken 
Prisoner  at  a place  Called  the  Cedars  in  Canada  in  may 
1776  and  lost  a Number  of  articles  to  the  amount  of  five 
pounds  thirteen  shillings  and  sixpence,”  for  which  he  wanted 
to  be  paid. — Ed.] 

[R.  2-203] 

[Daniel  McMurphy,  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Elliot’s  company, 
was  wounded  at  Bennington,  August  16,  1777. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-204]  \^Thomas  Archibald^  Soldier^  iyy87\ 

These  may  Certify  that  Thomas  Archibald  a soldier  under 
my  Comand  at  Fishkill  by  the  misfortune  of  falling  into  the 
River  Took  a Lameness  in  one  of  his  knees  that  Rendered  him 
unfitt  for  Duty  as  a soldier  and  also  unfitt  to  gain  his  Living  by 
labour  Which  cost  him  a large  sume  of  money  to  Doctors  and 
Nurses  and  also  for  horse  hire  to  bring  him  home 

Daniel  Runnels  Cap* 

Londonderry  march  y®  9*^  I77^ 


[R.  2-205]  \^Sergt.  Willia7n  Morrill^  777b.] 

These  Certify  that  Sarg"*  W"™  morrel  of  Captain  W*"  Stillsons 
Company  of  Coll"  Isaac  Wyman’s  Regiment  has  drawn  no 
wagfes  in  s'*  Reg^iment  for  the  month  of  October  Last 

W™  Stillson  Cap*" 

Mount  Independance  Novem'  13**'  1776. 


[R.  2 -206]  \_Soldiei's^  Enlistment^  ^77P*] 

Londonderry  July  y®  26**'  1779 

We  the  Subscribers  being  Inlisted  Soldiers  for  Londonderry 
to  serve  the  United  States  of  America  for  six  months  acknowl- 


LONDONDERRY. 


463 


edge  to  have  Received  from  John  Moor  ten  Pounds  each  of 
us  as  traveling  fees  to  Providence  Rec*^  by  us 


his 

Thomas  Drew  Winser  X Golden 

mark 

archebald John  Ross 

Witness  present  William  Alexander 


mccarty 

his 

Neil  X Macgee 

mark 

Daniel  m^^Duffee 


[R.  2-207]  \_Samuel  Thompson^ s Petition^  iy8or\ 

The  humble  Petition  of  Samuel  Thompson  of  Londonderry, 
Inholder,  Sheweth — That  your  PeP  late  son  Samuel  Thompson 
entered  earlv  into  the  Service  of  the  united  States — was  an  En- 
sign  in  Bunker  Hill  fight,  and  afterwards  at  Ticonderoga  caught 
the  Small  Pox  and  died  there  Intestate  without  Issue.  That 
the  said  Samuel  the  son  in  his  life  time  viz‘  about  the  year  1774 
Bargained  with  one  John  Rogers  of  Acworth  attorney  & agent 
to  CoP  James  Rogers,  (now  with  the  enemy)  for  two  hundred 
acre  Lots  in  said  Acworth  then  belonging  to  said  James  & be- 
ing Lots  No.  5 & 6 in  the  first  Range  there.  * * * 

Londonderry  June  17S0 

Samuel  Thompson 


[He  Stated  that  his  son  paid  ;£i8  for  said  land,  and  had 
made  some  improvement  thereon,  and  that  he  wished  to 
have  it  excepted  in  the  confiscation  of  Col.  Rogers’s  proper- 
ty, which  was  granted. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-208]  [ Col.  Sca7nmel  rccoimnends  Lieut.  Asa  Sente7- for 

PromotioTt.^  lySi.'] 

New  Hampshire  Village  17^^  of  May  1781  — 

Cap‘  Simeon  Sartwell  late  of  the  first  New  Hampshire  Regb 
having  Resigned  the  eleventh  Ins‘  I do  certify  that  Lt.  Asa  Sen- 
ter  being  Senior  L‘  in  that  Reg‘  is  justly  entitled  to  y®  Promo- 
tion of  a Captaincy  & to  take  Rank  from  the  twelfth  of  this 
Month 

To  the  Honb*  the  President  Alexd*’  Scammel  CoP 

State  of  New  Hampshire  N.  H.  R. 


[R.  2-210] 

[John  Nesmith  stated,  Jan.  2,  1782,  that  he  engaged  “as 
a Lieut  in  the  year  1777,  and  served  as  such  until  the  25^^ 


464 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


of  Sept,  in  the  year  1779,”  when  he  resigned,  but  had  lost 
his  discharge. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-215]  \^yoseph  Hogg’’s  Order. 

M*"  John  tyeler  Sir  Please  to  Pay  to  M*"  John  Neell  the  hole 
of  M*"  Robert  me  Nits  wedges  that  is  Due  to  him  for  Being 
acontell  Shoger  and  In  so  doing  you  will  obledge  yours  to  Serve 
you 

Londonderry  September  y®  6^  ^7^4 

Joseph  Hogg 


[R.  2-217]  Houston.,  one  of  Washington' s Guard.~\ 

[In  a petition  dated  Feb.  9,  1785,  Samuel  Houston,  of 
Londonderry,  stated  “That  your  petitioner  was  draughted 
from  CoL  Stark’s  Regiment  into  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  foot-guard  in  February  A D.  1776,  and  on  the 
first  day  of  January  A D.  1777  your  petitioner  engaged  in 
the  third  Regiment  of  Light  Dragoons,  for  the  term  of  three 
years  ; which  full  term  your  petitioner  compleated  in  said 
service  and  was  honorably  discharged.”  He  stated  that  he 
had  received  no  pay  from  this  state. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-218] 

[This  document  is  a petition  from  William  Adams  for  an 
allowance  for  the  depreciation  of  his  wages,  dated  London- 
derry, June  7, 1791.  The  following  explains  his  case  : — Ed.] 

[R.  2-222] 

This  may  Certify  whom  it  may  concern  that  William  Adams 
your  petitioner  was  a Sergeant  in  my  Company  in  CoP  Pea- 
body’s Regiment  in  the  year’s  service  at  Rhode-Island  in  the 
year  177^ — 

Londonderry  December  i79^ 

Daifi  Reynolds  Cap* 

This  may  also  certify  that  the  aboves*^  William  Adams  never 
received  any  Bounty  from  this  Town  for  the  abovesaid  year’s 
service 

Dan*  Reynolds  J Select  Men 
Thomas  Patterson  >-  of 
John  Bell  ) Londonderry 


LONDONDERRY. 


465 


[R.  2-223]  io  Lieut.  Robert  Barnet. 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  5,  1778,  the  committee  on  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers  reported  “ that  said  Barnett  was  seized 
with  a Fever  and  Scorbutic  Disorders  at  Ticonderoga  that 
“he  sustains  the  Character  of  an  able  & brave  officer.”  Said 
committee  recommended  that  he  be  employed  in  some  suit- 
able service,  and  he  was,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1779,  mus- 
tered into  the  regiment  of  invalids  as  lieutenant,  as  may  be 
seen  in  R.  2-224,  the  following : — Ed.] 

[R.  2-225] 

This  may  certify  that  Lieut  Rob‘  Barnet  has  been  Mustered 
in  the  Invalid  Reg*  from  the  first  of  June  1779  but  has  drawn 
no  pay  in  said  Reg*  untill  the  first  of  January  82  and  as  it  is 
Recommended  by  Congress  for  each  state  to  settle  with  their 
troops  up  to  the  commencement  of  the  said  year  82  he  is  Rec- 
ommended to  the  state  of  N : Hampshire  to  which  he  Belongs 
for  a settlement  of  his  back  pay  due 

West  Point  Talmage  Hall  L*  Paymaster  Invd  Reg*. 

NovemD  2^  1782  Lewis  Nicola  Coll"  Inv**. 

[Lieut.  Robert  Barnet  was  placed  on  the  pension  list  at 
three  pounds  per  month,  commencing  June  25,  1783. — Ed.] 


[6-138]  \_Petition  for  the  Release  of  Stephen  Holland.^  ^777  ] 

To  the  Hon*’*®  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire — 

Humbly  Shew 

The  Subscribers  Inhabitants  and  FreehMders  in  London- 
derry— 

m/ 

That  the  distressed  situation  of  our  neighbour  Col°  Stephen 
Holland,  a Person  naturaly  of  a Slender  Constitution,  now 
greatly  impaired,  h}'  his  long  Confinement  (in  a loathesome 
Goal,  replete  with  the  noxious  fumes  of  an  infectious  Vault) 
under  which  we  conceive,  nothing  but  conscious  innocence, 
& the  Expectation  of  an  Honourable  delivery  by  the  impartial 
Verdict  of  his  Country  could  have  supported  him,  induces  us  to 
interest  ourselves  in  his  behalf — 

That,  as  the  Superiour  Court  of  Judicature,  at  which  he  ex- 
pected to  have  his  Trial  next  week,  is,  as  we  learn,  to  be  ad- 
journed to  the  twenty  first  Day  of  October  next,  we  apprehend 

32 


466 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


that  before  that  time,  unless  he  is  speedily  releived  by  an  Alter- 
ation of  Diet,  fresh  Air  & Exercise,  his  Strength  already  almost 
exhausted,  will  totally  fail  him,  & the  State  by  his  dissolution 
be  prevented  of  that  Enquiry  into  his  Conduct  which  Justice  to 
it  & him  demands — 

That  as  the  inflicting  Punishment  upon  any  Person,  for  a 
Supposed  offence,  is  incompatible  with  Justice,  Sl  the  Princi- 
ples of  a free  Government,  so  we  conceive  it  is  far  from  your 
honours  intention  with  Regard  to  him  ; but  would  humbly  sub- 
mit to  your  Candid  Consideration,  whether  such  a tedious  Con- 
finement as  he  has  undergone  is  not  of  itself  a punishment ; 
especially,  if,  in  this  State,  no  person,  supposed  guilty  of  the 
Offence,  he  is  accused  of,  was  ever  deemed  not  bailable — 
Wherefore  we  Humbly  pray  your  Honours  in  your  great 
Humanity,  to  commiserate  his  Condition,  and  admit  him  to 
Bail,  upon  such  Security  as  in  your  wisdom,  you  shall  Judge 
adequate — And  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray  &C 
Londonderry  Aug®‘  27^^  ^777 — 

James  Cochran 
Alexander  Lesley 
Andrew  Smith 
Dinis  Haley 
Thomas  Smith 
John  Stinson 
Nathan  Stinson 


[Other  petitions  for  the  same  purpose  contain  the  fol- 
lowing names : — Ed.] 


John  Clark 
Sam'*  Clark 
William  Cox 
George  Cochran 
Charles  Cox 
James  Crombie 
John  Crombie 
Sam'  Campbel 
Abraham  morison 
Mathew  Reid 
Richard  Emerson 
Joseph  morrison 
Robert  Clinding 
James  Clandanein 
Abraham  Reid 
Elisha  Woodbery 
John  morrow 
300]*^  Davis 
Samuall  Sandrs 


Jeofrey  Donohue 
thomas  Jameison 
Hugh  Kalley 
Peter  Kalley 
Thomas  mitchel 
John  Reid 
Samuel  Morison 
Chelles  Sargent 
Samuel  Sargent 
John  Steaurt 
Thomas  Stuart 
Will'"  Humphry 
Thomas  willson 
John  Cochran 
RoD  Cl  indin  in 
James  Thomson 
James  Cochran 
Samuel  morrison 
thomos  Creige 


John  morison 
Rob'  Barnett 
Sam"  Allison 
Andew  Allison 
Jesse  an  is 
Bradley  mitchall 
Jonathan  Cochran 
Petor  Petorson 
Simon  Williams 
Minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  Peace 
Isaac  Thom 
Alexander  Simpson 
William  Simson 
John  Kerr 
John  Simpson 
Richard  Kelly 
Joseph  Morison  Juff 


LONDONDERRY. 


467 


[Col.  Stephen  Holland  was  a prominent  man  in  town 
prior  to  the  Revolution  ; was  a member  of  the  provincial 
assembly  from  1771  to  1775,  being  succeeded  by  Matthew 
Thornton  in  April  of  that  year.  Having  been  suspected 
and  charged  with  being  unfriendly  to  the  American  cause, 
he  appeared  at  a town-meeting  in  Londonderry  April 
29th,  and  made  a public  declaration  to  the  contrary.  (Vol. 
VII,  page  463.)  He  also  signed  the  “ Association  Test  ” in 
1776,  notwithstanding  which  he  proved  to  be  a tory,  was 
arrested  and  imprisoned,  and  his  property  confiscated. — 
Ed.] 


I 

[6-1 41 J \_Petition  of  Certain  Persons  to  be  annexed  to  Not- 

tingham  IVest,  Y77<?.] 

To  tlie  Honourable  the  Council  and  assembly  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  convened  on  the  Eleventh  day  of  Feb''^  Ins‘ 
at  Exeter,  within  & for  said  State 

The  petition  of  us  the  subscribers  being  Inhabitants  of  the 
southwesterly  part  of  Londonderry,  Humbly  shews,  that  we  your 
petitioners  live  very  remote  from  that  part  of  Londonderry 
where  all  Bussiness  of  a public  nature  is  transacted,  nor  is  it 
but  very  seldom  we  can  hear  of  the  public  Meetings  of  the  said 
Town,  And  should  we  hear  of  such  Meetings  the  distance  is 
so  far  that  but  very  few  of  us  could  Attend  at  all,  & those  who 
do,  must  do  it  at  a Considerable  Expence  having  Eight  or  Ten 
Miles  to  Travel  for  that  purpose 

That  it  very  often  happens,  that  when  any  Material  Business 
is  to  be  transacted,  meetings  are  held,  without  our  Knowledge, 
by  which  we  loose  the  privileges  enjoyed  by  Others.  And  as 
our  Situation  is  much  Nearer  to  the  middle  of  Nottingham 
West  it  would  be  greatly  for  our  Interest  to  be  Annexed  to  that 
town,  which  we  think  will  not  preiudice  Londonderry,  as  we 
pay  no  part  towards  supporting  the  Gospel  in  that  town,  but  do 
it  to  the  town  of  Nottingham  West  where  we  have  helped  to 
build  a Meeting  House  and  settle  A Minister,  and  the  Chief 
of  Other  Town  Charges  will  diminish  in  proportion  to  the  de- 
duction made  in  Consequence  hereof. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  most  humbly  pray  that  your  Hon- 
ours, will  take  the  premises  into  consideration  and  give  us 
leave  to  bring  in  a bill  to  Annex  the  south  westerly  part  of 
Londonderry  as  described  by  a map  of  the  same  to  be  shewn 
the  day  of  hearing,  to  the  town  of  Nottingham  West,  agrea- 
ble  to  a Vote  of  the  said  town  of  Nottingham  for  that  purpose. 


468 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


or  otherwise  as  your  Honours  in  your  Wisdom  shall  see  meet. 
And  we  your  petitioners,  as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray 

Feb^  3*^  177S — 


[The  foregoing  request  was  granted,  and  the  territory 
annexed  to  Nottingham  West,  now  Hudson,  March  6,  1778. 
—Ed.] 


To  the  Hon^^®  General  Assembly  for  the  State  of  New-Hamp- 
shire,  Convened  at  Exeter,  Nov*"  17^^  AD  1778 — 


present  year  Humbly  shews. — 

That  one  Samuel  Clark  of  said  Londonderry,  has  informed 
your  petitioners,  that  he  has  petitioned  your  Honours,  to  be 
disannexed  from  Londonderry,  & annexed  to  Windham,  & as 
there  are  sundry  in  Londonderry,  & Windham  in  similar  cir- 
cumstances, with  said  Clark,  & as  Londonderry  are  very  de- 
sirous to  make  a just  & Equitable  Exchange  with  Windham 
for  the  whole  by  a Committee  from  each  Town. — 

Therefore  your  petitioners  Humbly  pray  for  time,  & Oppor- 
tunity to  make  such  agreement, — Or  in  Case  we  are  Obliged 
to  trouble  your  Honours,  that  we  may  have  the  Liberty  to  lay 
the  whole  before  you  at  once,  & your  petitioners  as  in  Duty 
will  ever  pray  &c 


Levi  Andrews 
John  Smith 
Josiah  Burroughs 
Ebenezer  Tarbox 
Simeon  Robertson 
Simeon  Barret 
John  Marshall 
^ames  Barrett 
William  Hood 
W.  Elener  Graham 
Joseph  Steel 
Isaac  Page 
Philip  Marshall 


William  Graham 
Moses  Barret 


Ezekiel  Greele 


David  Peabody 
George  Burrows 
David  Lawrence 
Sampson  Kidder 
Richard  Marshall 
Benjamin  Kidder 
Hugh  Smith 


Will™  McAdams 
Thomas  Smith 


Joseph  Hobbs 


[6-142]  \_Relative  to  certain  Persons  being  annexed  to 

Windham^  1778.^ 


The  subscribers  select  men  for  the  Town  of  Londonderry  the 


John  m®keen 
James  Wallace 
Robert  MacMurphy 


LONDONDERRY. 


469 


[6-144]  S^Recommendations for  Military  Oficers^  iy8oJ\ 

Londonderry  June  f 19^^  1780 

In  a Legal  Town  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town 
partly  for  that  purpose  Called  and  held  this  Day  it  was  voted 
that  John  Bell  Esq*"  be  reccomended  to  your  Hon’’®  to  be  Com- 
missioned as  Chief  Colonel  and  Maj*'  Daniel  Runnels  as  L* 
Colonel  of  the  Reg‘  of  malita  Late  Col.  Thorntons — 

John  Moor  town  Clark 

Test — 

James  Wallace  ] 

Robert  M'^Neill  ! Select 

James  Nesmith  Ju*"  j Men 

Andrew  mack  f 


[6-145]  \_Relative  to  the  Enlistme^it  of  Londonderry  Men 

by  Massachusetts, 

To  the  Hon’^'®  the  members  of  the  Council  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  Gen^  Assembly  Convened  at  Exeter  in  the 
State  of  Newhampshire — 

The  Petition  of  your  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth — That  we 
the  Subscribers  select  men  for  the  town  of  Londonderry  being 
Called  upon  by  your  Hon*'®  to  furnish  and  raise  for  the  filling 
up  of  the  Continental  army  Thirty  Three  men  the  wliich  has 
not  yet  been  full}'  Compleated — In  the  mean  time  several  Gen- 
tlemen from  the  State  of  the  Massachusetts  Bav  Came  into  the 
town  of  Londonderrv  and  have  Inlisted  into  the  service  of  s*^ 
State  a Large  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  s^  Town  which  we 
Esteem  a Great  Prejudice  and  Grevance  to  us  the  Inhabitants 
of  s^^  Town  on  account  of  the  want  of  Inhabitants  in  said  town 
If  Called  upon  for  a new  Levy  and  also  on  account  of  the  De- 
ficiency of  this  States  Qiiota  as  well  as  the  want  of  their  part 
of  the  proportion  of  their  Tax  in  these  Difficult  Times  and 
understanding  that  Timothy  Harrington  and  four  others  from 
said  Town  were  on  their  March  to  Join  said  Massachusetts 
Troops — we  the  Selectmen  of  said  Londonderry  thought  it 
Adviseable  to  detain  said  Harrington  and  Company  and  hold 
them  in  Custody  untill  your  pleasure  herein  is  known — 

we  therefore  in  behalf  of  s*^  Town  as  well  as  in  behalf  of  the 
State  in  Gen’^  pi'^y  that  your  Hon’’®  would  take  the  Same  into 
Imediate  Consideration  and  take  some  Efi'ectual  measures  (If 
your  Hon'"®  sees  fit)  that  the  same  may  be  finally  prevented  as 
well  as  all  others  from  going  into  the  Service  of  s*^  Massachu- 


470 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


setts  State  untill  this  .States  Quota  is  fully  Compleated  and  your 
Petitioners  Shall  ever  Pray  &c — 


L : Derry  March  y®  i9‘^  1781  — 


James  Wallace 


James  Nesmithjr 


[6-146]  \_Relative  to  the  Line  between  this  Town  and  Wind- 

ha?n^  iy82,'\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives 


of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire  in  general  Assembly  con- 
vened at  Concord,  the  10^^  Sepf  1782,  the  petition  of  the 
selectmen  of  Londonderry  humbly  sheweth,  that. 

Whereas,  by  an  act  of  the  general  Court  of  the  Province  of 
New-Hampshire,  passed  the  12^*^  February  1 741-2,  a certain 
district  was  laid  oft' the  south  side  of  Londonderry,  and  incor- 
porated into  a town,  by  the  name  of  Windham,  limited  by  cer- 
tain metes  and  boundaries  (viz)  beginning  at  the  house  of  John 
Hopkins,  and  thence  running  eastward  and  westward,  as  ap- 
pears from  a copy  of  the  act ; it  was  generally  supposed  by  the 
inhabitants  living  near  the  line,  that  the  easterly  line  would 
strike  a certain  internal  angle  of  said  Londonderry,  as  seems  to 
have  been  the  intention  of  said  act ; but,  contrary  to  expectation 
when,  about  four  years  ago,  the  said  easterly  line  was  run,  it 
was  found  to  leave  the  said  angle  a little  to  the  southward,  by 
which  means  a strip  of  land,  one  mile  and  three  quarters  long, 
and  but  about  fifty  five  rods  wide,  is  included  in  said  Windham, 
as  appears  from  the  plan  herewith  presented  ; and  some  of  the 
owners  of  land  in  said  strip  are  taxed  in  Windham  for  the 
same,  which  has  always  been  considered  and  ta’xed  as  belong- 
ing to  Londonderry,  which  is  looked  upon  by  us  as  a great 
grievance  : we,  therefore,  your  petitioners  in  behalf  of  the  town 
and  the  aggrieved,  humbly  pray  your  Honors  that  the  said 
easterly  line  should  be  continued  no  further  than  till  it  comes 
opposite  to  the  said  angle,  or  that  it  should  run  directly  from 
the  said  John  Hopkins’s  house  to  the  said  angle — 

And  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray  &c. 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Nov.  15,  1782,  leave  was  granted  to  bring 
in  a bill  for  the  aforesaid  purpose. — Ed.] 


John  Aiken  ] 
John  m®keen  Ju*"  | 
Robert  Thomson 
Abel  Plummer  | 
Daniel  Hunter  J 


of 

I Londonderry 


Select-men 


LONDONDERRY. 


471 


[6-147]  [^Relative  to  foregoing  Matter.'] 


This  may  certify  that  the  internal  angle  of  Londonderry  com- 
monly called  the  Crank  is  but  fifty  two  rods  and  nine  links 
from  Windham  line,  as  measured  by — 

John  M^keen 
Caleb  Duston 

Londonderry  2 Sept.  1782. 


[6-14S] 

This  is  to  Certify  that  we  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Lon- 
donderry  for  the  year  1781  Did  Not  Make  any  Aggreement 
with  windham  Select  men  Concerning  that  Disputable  Land  of 
Lieif  Pauls 

witness  our  hands 

Londonderry  SepP  y®  1782 

James  Wallace 
Tames  Ramsey 
Daniel  Hunter 


[6-149]  [ Verbal  Ag7'ee7nent  Made.] 

These  may  Certify  whom  it  may  Concern  that  We  the  Sub- 
scribers were  Sellectmen  for  the  Town  of  Londonderry  in  the 
year  1781  Whereas  there  was  a petition  prefered  to  the  then 
Gen*  assembly  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire  by  the  Sellect- 
men of  said  Town  setting  forth  that  by  the  Act  for  Incorprat- 
ing  Windham  into  a parish  it  included  a Certain  peace  of  land 
which  ought  not  to  be  included  in  the  same  and  Whereas  the 
H on*’*  Court  Did  recomend  it  to  the  Sellectmen  of  both  Towns 
to  settle  the  Matter : in  Consequence  of  said  recomendation  we 
the  Sellectmen  af  Lond''y  Did  meet  with  the  Sellectmen  of  said 
Windham  and  made  a Verbal  agreement  Concerning  the  same 

Wittness  our  hands 

Oct*’*'  5**^  1782  Andrew  mack 

James  Nesmith,  Ju*" 


[6-150]  \_Protest  against  Mrs.  Jarie  Holland^ s havhig  per- 

7nission  to  retur7i.^  1^82.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Hon*’*® 
House  of  Representatiyes  in  General  Assembly  at  Ports- 
mouth Conyened  December  18**^  1782 

The  Humble  Petition  of  the  seyeral  persons  Inhabitants 


472 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


within  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  whose  names  are  hereunto 
set  and  Subscribed 

Sheweth 

That  your  Petitioners  have  heard  with  the  deepest  Concern 
that  the  late  General  Assembly  at  their  last  Session  in  Exeter 
passed  a Resolve  therein  Granting  leave  that  iVP®  jane  Holland 
(the  wife  of  Stephen  Plolland  Esq''  an  Absentee  and  an  avowed 
Enemy  of  the  United  States)  may  Return  for  some  time  to  this 
State 

That  they  Conceive  this  will  encourage  the  Rest  of  the 
Absentees  in  alike  mode  of  Application  contrary  to  the  Sense 
of  Congress  and  the  neighbouring  Common  wealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts 

That  the  People  in  General  are  Greatly  Alarmed  as  beleiving 
sho*^  that  Lady  return  she  will  be  the  Channel  of  Inteligence 
and  correspondence  between  our  Enemies  at  New  York  and 
those  here  amongst  us,  And  your  Petitioners  dread  the  Conse- 
quence 

Therefore 

They  most  Humbly  pray  your  Honours  to  take  this  matter 
into  your  serious  consideration  and  that  M''®  Holland  may  be 
prevented  from  coming  back  Eiether  by  Rescinding  the  said 
Resolve  or  in  some  other  manner  as  your  Honours  in  your 
wisdom  shall  think  best  And  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound 
will  ever  pray 


Hezekiah  Lovejoy 
Eli  Wilkins 
WilP^  Wilkins 
William  Steward 
Amos  Stickney 
Nathan  Fuller 
Amos  wilkins 
Richard  Gould 
James  Woodbury 
William  Bradford 

Jn- 

Joseph  Perkins  Ju'' 
William  Bradford 
Elisha  Hutchinson 
Abijah  Wilkins 
Joseph  Perkins 
John  Cate 
Oliver  Carlton 
Ben"  Lewis  Jn 
Ephraim  Hildreth 
Peter  Woodbury 
Joseph  Steel 


William  Lyons 
Isaac  Duncan 
John  Morrison 
Jonathan  Nesmith 
James  Nesmith 
Robert  Nesmith 
James  Boyes 
George  MLAllaster 
James  Boyes  the  3 
James  Boyes 
Samuel  White 
Joseph  M^Clenche 
Michael  Keef 
Robert  Dinsmoor 
Rob‘  M'^Cluer 
John  Giles 
Ebenezer  Giles 
Robert  Morrison 
James  Aiken 
John  Dinsmoor 
John  Aiken 
John  Barnett 


Robert  Waugh 
Jn"  C McNeill 
william  Boyes 
W™  Livingston 
Robert  Campbell 
Archibald  M"Alester 
Daniel  McNeill 
John  Smith 
Thomas  Willson 
Benjn  M"allaster 
Josiah  Warren 
Antipas  Dodge 
Silas  Walker 
Alexander  Willson 

J' 

James  Caldwell 
James  Willson 
John  M"Laughlon 
Nathaniel  Martin 
John  Davis 
Joseph  Leach 
James  Cairns 


LONDONDERRY. 


473 


John  m^millan  Ju' 
Jeams  hoptings 
Joseph  Langdell 
John  Mills 
Solomon  Kittredge 
Timothy  Smith 
William  Duncan 
James  morrison 


James  Hunter 
alexander  willson 
Robert  Willson 
Elisha  Dodge 
Benj’^  Dodge 
Robert  Patterson 
Jacob  Hooper 
John  Wells 


Robert  Patterson  Jr 
Joseph  Heselton 
Elijah  Cochran 
Elisha  Dodge  Ju 
Robert  martin 
Joseph  Davis 


[6-161]  \^Abstract  from  Town  Inventories^  t"j82-  83 


1782 

1783 

No.  Polls  from  18  to  75  years 

453. 

442 

No.  of  female  slaves 

3. 

3 

No.  of  acres  of  orchard 

2S3, 

283 

No.  of  acres  of  arable  land 

1325. 

2650 

1 290 

No.  of  acres  of  mowing 

2602 

No.  of  acres  of  pasture 

2643, 

2662 

No.  of  horses  & mares 

298, 

282 

No.  of  oxen 

599. 

580 

No.  of  Cows 

823 

835 

No.  of  horses  and  cattle  3 years  old 

392. 

270 

No.  of  do.  do.  2 years  old 

'z  ^ 8 

335 

No.  of  do.  do.  I year  old 

Sum  total  of  the  value  of  buildings  &c 

412, 

446 

Sum  total  of  real  estate  owned 
by  non-residents 
Sum  total  of  stock  in  trade 
Sum  total  of  money  in  hand  &c 

Jonathan  Giiffin 
David  Paul 
John  M'^Kean  Jur 

Sworn  to  before 


£38925,  o,  o,  £37166,  o,  o 


£0,  o,  o, 

^37S>  o,  o, 

^ 75’ 

James  Aiken 
David  Adams ^ 

John  Bell  Justice  of  Peace 


222^,  o , o 
£240,  o,  o 
£0,  o,  o 

Selectmen 


[6-162]  \^Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ iy8jl\ 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss 

Pursuant  to  a vote  of  the  Gennerall  Assembly  of  the  state 
aforesaid  ordering  and  Directing  the  selectmen  of  Each  Town 
in  said  state  to  return  under  Oath  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  state  aforesaid  the  Exact  Number  of  Male  Polls  of  Twenty 
one  years  of  age  and  upwards  paying  for  themselves  a pole  Tax 


474 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


in  said  Towns  in  order  to  apportion  the  Representation  accord- 
ing to  the  new  Constitution — we  the  subscribers — selectmen  of 
the  Town  of  Londonderry  have  accordingly  Taken  the  number 
of  male  polls  in  said  Town  from  Twenty  one  years  of  age  and 
upwards  and  the  number  of  said  polls  are  four  hundred  and 
fifty  three 

Londonderry  22^  Dec*"  17S3 

and  thier  is  also  nine  Polls  of  twenty  one  years  and  upwards 
living  on  Londonderry  land  which  was  Exempted  from  wind- 
ham — 

Jonathan  Griffin  ] 

James  Aiken  I Selectmen  for 

David  Paul  j Londonderry 

John  m'^keen  Ju*'  J 

Rockingham  ss  22^  Dec*"  1783 

Then  the  above  named  Jonathan  Griffen  James  Aiken  David 
Paul  and  John  MacKeen  Jun*"  all  personally  appeared  and  made 
solemn  Oath  that  the  above  Number  of  polls  was  taken  faith- 
fully and  Impartially, — 

Sworn  Before  John  Bell  Justice  Peace 


[6-163]  \_Petition  to  be  exempted  from  paying  Ministerial 
Tax  in  the  Old  Parish^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  said  State  to  be  Convened  at  Concord  Upon  tusday  y®  io‘^ 
Day  of  June  1783 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Humbly  sheweth  that  we 
were  Members  of  the  Church  and  Congregation  leatly  under 
the  Tuition  instruction  and  pastoral  care  of  David  M®G regore 
late  of  Londonderry  in  said  State  Clerk  Deceash  that  since  his 
Death  we  (some  part  of  the  time)  hired  Preaching  in  that  par- 
ish, A privilege  we  highly  Esteamed,  and  should  be  Happy  if 
we  Could  longer  Enjoy  it  in  peace,  and  the  loss  of  it  Most 
sencebly  touches  the  fellings  of  every  Christian,  and  we  are 
Allways  Ready  to  pay  Ministerial  tax  wdiere  we  preform  De- 
vine  worship  according  to  the  laws  and  liberties  of  the  Gospel 
and  that  Religious  Liberty  that  has  been  so  earnestly  contended 
for  by  the  United  States  (viz)  that  of  Consceiences — Notwith- 
standing the  Selectmen  of  the  Old  Parish  (as  they  Call  them- 
selves) in  said  Londonderry  for  this  some  Years  past  Have 


LONDONDERRY. 


475 


Assesed  and  taxed  Us  for  the  Support  of  the  Rev*^  William 
Davidson  whorne  we  never  Chose  for  Our  Instructor  or  Pastor 
and  whome  we  Cannot  Receve  As  Such,  and  the  Meeting 
H ouse  is  all  Privet  property  and  is  far  from  being  Centeral  and 
the  Greater  part  of  Us  has  No  priviledge  in  it  all  thow  some 
of  the  valuable  part  of  it  is  the  property  of  pearsons  that  are 
Not  taxed  for,  Nor  Contribute  Nothing  (in  that  way)  to  the 
support  of  the  said  M""  Davidson,  nor  can  we  be  addmited 
within  the  same  without  Incroaching  on  other  mens  property — 
Yet  Notwithstanding  they  tax  Us — and  for  the  payment  of  the 
same  some  of  us  they  Have  Destrained — others  they  Have 
repetedly  Imprisoned  and  has  put  Your  Petitioners  to  Great 
truble  and  Cost  those  with  other  Reasons  we  could  Ofler  is 
looked  Upon  as  a Create  Greavence  By  Us — 

Wherefore  we  pray  Your  Honours  to  take  our  case  into  your 
Wise  Consideration  and  Exempet  Us  from  paying  tax  for  the 
support  of  the  said  M""  Davidson  and  that  we  have  leave  to  pay 
our  tax  where  we  chose  to  attend  Devine  worship  or  relieve  Us 
in  such  a way  and  manner  as  Your  Hon'"®  shall  Se  fit — 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Dutey  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 
&c — 


John  Gregg 
James  m^keen 
Robert  MacMurph 
James  Paul 
John  Nesmith 
William  Taylor 
Jonathan  Adams 
Adam  Taylor 
James  Willson 
Samuel  Taylor 
Daniel  Hunter 
James  Dinsmoor 
David  Paul 
James  Waddell 
William  mac  mur 
phy 


John  Taylor 
James  Taylor 
^ John  Taylor  Jun*' 
David  Taylor 
John  Carr 
Rob*  M'^Murphy 
Juner 

Alexander  M®Mur- 

phy 

William  Miltimer 
mareyan  marsh 
John  Hopkins 
John  Hopkins  Jun*' 
George  Gregg 
Isaac  Cochran 
Joseph  Gregg  Jun’’ 


Thomas  anderson 
John  Gunnion 
VVblliam  Alexander 
James  Gregg 
John  Gregg  Junr 
Joseph  Gregg 
Daniel  Miltimor 
Robert  Willson 
James  Miltmor 
Matthew  Clark 
Jean  orr 
Rob*  Smith 
John  Taylor  3*^ 
Jonathan  Adams 
Joner 


[6-164]  \^l7tstructio7i  to  RepreseTitative^ 

To  Col®  Daniel  Reynolds  and  Li®  Archibald  M®murphy  Rep- 
resentatives for  the  Town  of  Londonderry  for  the  present 
year— 

Gentlemen — 

As  it  is  our  undoubted  Right  at  all  times  to  instruct  our  Rep- 


476 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


resentitives  we  do  now  Solemnly  in  Town  meeting  Instruct 
you  to  oppose  by  every  method  in  your  power  the  Grant  of 
five  years  full  pay  to  the  Continental  officers  as  recommended 
by  Congress  as  it  is  unreasonsble  unjust  and  Verey  opprisive  it 
would  lay  such  a burden  on  us  as  we  nor  our  children  should 
ever  get  clear  of 

Londonderry  September  y®  29*^  ^7^3 


Voated  to  accept  the  forgoing  as  Instructions  to  said  Repre- 
sentatives 


Test  Will*"  Anderson  Town  Clerk 


[6-165]  ' \^Relative  to  Counterfeit  Money. 

The  Comittie  of  Safety  in  Londonderry  think  it  thier  dutey 
to  inform  the  Committee  for  the  State  or  General  Asembly 
that  M*"  Mathew  Diky  of  lawfull  Age  and  Good  Reputte  Will 
Testify  if  Caled  that  John  Moore  of  Londonderry  told  s*^  Dikey 
that  Dinnes  Oheley  had  Neer  the  Bignes  of  A Bible  of  Coun- 
terfit  Money  and  that  s*^  Oheley  would  give  to  Any  of  his  Com- 
rads  a Thirty  Dolar  Bill  for  a Gill  of  Rum — 

Joseph  Gregg  C.  Man 


[6-166]  S^Petition  of  sundry  Persons  to  be  a7tnexed  to  the 

East  Parish.,  I'j8y.'\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Hon^^®  the  Council  and  House  of  Representitives  in 
General  Assembly  conven’d  at  Concord. 

December  1783. 

The  subscribers  Inhabitants  of  Londonderry  in  the  County 
of  Rockingham  and  State  aforesaid 

Humbly  Sheweth  that  by  a partial  line  drawn  between  the 
two  Parishes  in  said  Londonderry  your  Petitioners  fell  into  the 
West  Parish,  that  we  are  but  One  Mile  distant  from  the  Rev*^ 
M*"  William  Davidsons  Meeting  House  in  the  East  Parish,  and 
upwards  of  Three  miles  from  the  Meeting  House  in  said  West 
Parish,  that  we  own  pews  in  the  Rev*^  M*'  Davidsons  Meeting 
house  and  constantly  Attend  divine  service  there,  that  we  are 
Tax’d  to  the  Ministereal  and  other  Parochial  Taxes  in  the  West 
Parish,  where  we  do  not  receive  and  considering  our  local 
situation  cannot  receive  any  benefit,  tliat  our  Lands  are  in  one 
Compact  body  in  the  extreme  corner  of  the  Parish  there  will 


LONDONDERRY. 


477 


be  no  difficulty  in  Annexing  us  to  the  said  East  Parish,  and  it 
appears  highly  probable  to  us  that  a very  considerable  number 
of  persons  in  the  extreme  part  of  the  last  mentioned  Parish 
would  gladly  joyn  with  the  west  Parish. — 

Wherefore  we  humbly  pray  your  Honours  would  take  our 
case  into  your  Wise  consideration  and  if  it  appears  reasonable 
Annex  us  and  our  Estates  for  all  Parochial  matters  to  the  said 
East  Parish,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
Pray. — 

Londonderry  Dec*"  2o‘^  ^7^3* 

William  Wallace 
John  Holmes 
Jonathan  Reed 
John  Wallace 
John  Neal 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  April  7,  1784,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[6-167]  S^Relative  to  Parish  Affairs^  77^4.] 


Londonderry  February  the  17S4 

At  a legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabittants  of  the  Town  aforesaid 
Called  by  more  then  thirty  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town — 
Voted  that  Cap‘  John  Neal  Leiif  william  Wallace  Leiu‘  John 
Holmes  and  Jonathan  Reid  members  of  the  west  Parish  with 
thier  Estates  that  they  are  now  posesed  of  according  to  the 
am  mount  of  Invoice  be  Exchanged  for  Thomas  Anderson 
Samuel  Cochran  Isaac  Cochran  widow  Mary  Alexander  will- 
iam Alexander  and  Hugh  alexander  members  of  the  East  Par- 
ish with  thier  Estates  that  they  are  now  posesed  of  according 
to  the  amount  of  Invoice  and  that  the  said  John  Neal  william 
Wallace  John  Holmes  and  Jonathan  Reid  with  thier  Estates 
shall  belong  to  the  East  Parish  and  that  the  said  samuel  Coch- 
ran Isaac  Cochran  Thomas  Anderson  Mary  Alexander  william 
alexander  and  Hugh  alexander  with  thier  Estates  shall  belong 
to  the  west  Parish  and  voted  that  the  selectmen  Request  the 
generall  Assembly  to  Confirm  the  above  vote 

Test  William  anderson  Town  Clerk 


Jonathan  Griffin  ] 
John  Mackeen  Ju  ( 
W'"  Lyons  f 

Will"^  Adams  j 


Selectmen 


478 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[6—168]  \^Petition  to  be  annexed  to  the  West  Parish^  iy84.~\ 


Londonderrry  March  the  i6th  1784 — 

This  May  Certify  to  all  that  it  Doth  Concern,  that  it  is  the 
Desire  of  us  the  Subscribers  to  be  Exchanged  from  the  East 
parish  in  s'^  Town  into  the  West  Parish — For  L‘  Will'"  Wallace 
& L*  John  Holms  Capt”  John  Neal  and  Jonathan  Reid  accord- 
ing to  a Vote  of  the  Town 
Witness  our  Hands — 

Thomas  Anderson 
Isaac  Cochran 
Sam‘^  Cochran 
Hugh  Alexander 
Wiliam  Alexander 


[6-169]  \^Petition  for  a Sunday  Act^  iy84.~\ 

To  his  Excelency  the  President  the  Honourable  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  state  of  Newhampshire  to 
be  Conven**  at  Portsmouth  in  said  state  on  the  third  Wednes- 
day of  October  Next — 

The  selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Londonderry  for  and  in  behalf 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  humbly  sheweth  that  it  ap- 
pears to  us  that  the  Lords  Day  is  not  kept  holy  agreeable  to  the 
command  of  the  supream  being  by  numbers  of  People  who 
are  so  bold  and  daring  that  they  will  prosecute  thier  secular 
business  on  said  Day  such  as  Driving  loaded  Teams  riding 
Jorneys  and  the  like  contrary  to  the  Command  of  God  which 
practice  is  very  heinous  and  we  fear  if  not  speedily  prevented 
will  bring  down  the  Judgments  of  a righteous  God  upon  this 
land  The  act  of  law  now  in  force  for  keeping  said  Day  we 
think  is  not  Explicit  Enough  nor  officers  Enough  Injoined  in 
said  act  to  carry  it  into  Execution  Wherefore  we  pray  your 
honours  would  take  the  matter  under  Consideration  and  in  your 
great  Wisdom  establish  a law  for  the  due  observation  of  said 
Day  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  Pray 
&c — 

Londonderry  sepP  the  1784 

Jonathan  Griffin")  Selectmen 
Samll  Pilsbre  y for 

Will*"  Lyons  ) Londonderry 


LONDONDERRY. 


479 


[6-172]  \_Helative  to  Paper  Money ^ etc,^  iy86.^ 


State  of  New  Hamsphire — 

To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  said  State  to  be  convened 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  next 
Humbly  Shews — 

The  Subscribers  inhabitants,  of  the  Town  of  Londonderry 
in  the  County  of  Rockingham  in  said  State  ; that  your  peti- 
tioner labours  under  many  and  very  great  difficulties  on  ac- 
count of  the  great  scearsity  of  a circulating  medium  of  trade; 
Also  great  uneasiness  has  arisen  in  the  minds  of  your  petition- 
ers and  many  others  on  account  of  a claim  lately  made  to  the 
uncultivated  lands  within  this  state  ; and  as  your  Honours  are 
the  Guardians,  of  the  Rights  and  privilidges,  of  the  people  ; 
and  as  we  have  no  other  regular  way  of  redress,  than  by  apply- 
ing to  you,  therefore  we  humbly  request  that  your  Honours, 
would  take  our  case  under  your  wise  consideration  and  grant 
us  relief  by  acting  on  the  following  Particulars, 

I®*  That  you  would  not  allow  those  parsons  purchasers  of 
the  Allen  Claim  so  called  any  part  of  their  claim  within  this 
state. 

2<iiy,  That  not  any  of  those  persons  that  are  purchasers  of 
said  Allen’s  claim  hold  any  commission  of  profit  or  Honour 
within  this  state  for  the  space  of  one  Year. 

^diy  q'hat  tiie  General  Court  take  up  the  matter  respecting 
the  Masonian  title,  to  the  certain  lands  in  this  state,  which  we 
think  their  title  to  is  not  good  ; and  that  those  lands  claim’d  by 
them  be  converted  to  the  use  of  said  state. 

4“^ly.  'That  there  be  a bank  of  paper  Money  made  to  redeem 
this  States  security. 

5‘*'ly.  That  the  General  Court  petition  Congress  to  redeem 
the  Continental  paper  currency  that  is  in  the  Treasury  in  this 
state  ; the  same  being  more  than  our  proportion  of  the  same. 

6‘'’ly.  That  the  Ports  and  Harbours  in  this  state  be  open’d  and 
a free  trade  for  all  except  the  Refugees. 

Londonderry  June  5^*^  1786. 


Richard  Adams 
Jonathan  Adams 
Tames  Boies 
Peter  Colquhoun 


James  Eayrs 
William  Eayrs 
Robert  M^^Neill 
James  Ramsey 


Nathaniel  Jewett 
John  Crombie 


Will"^  Eayrs  Sin®  that  a bank  of  money  may  Be  meade  on 
land  Securetey — 


Sa'  Clark 
James  Dinsmore 
VV’ill'"  Adams 
Samuel  Adams 


James  m^gregore  Alexander  Blair 

Matthew  Pinkerton  Timothy  Harington 

Josiah  M'^Neill  Jonathan  Adams 

David  Adams  Nathaniel  Brown 


480 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Nathaniel  Brown  Signs  that  Money  be  not  made  on  State 
Security  since  they  are  bought  by  the  Gentlemen  almost  for 
nothing. 

William  Adams  James  Adams  Moses  Rolfe 

Daniel  m^Dutfee  David  Blair 


/ 

[Other  petitions  for  the  same  purpose  contain  the  follow- 
ing names : — Ed.] 


Moor  S. 

W”^  Moor  J 
John  Anderson 
Joseph  Leech 
Enoch  Burbank 
Deniel  Heatton 

Jonathan 

Joseph  Ayer 
Samuel  m^Adams 
Sam^  Grihams 
James  Anderson 
Joseph  Anderson 
Allen  anderson 
Robert  Andrson 
David  anderson 
Alex‘S*'  Boyd 
Tho®  Boyd 
Simeon  Robinson 
Tomas  Dwinel 
Elijah  Town 
John  marsh 
Jacob  Nickels 
James  Nickels 
Charles  Cavandar 
John  George 
James  Eastman 
James  Folinsby 
Reuben  Senter 
Reuben  Senter  Ju’’ 
David  Woodburn 
Isaac  Dodge 
William  Dickey 
James  Gregg 
Jonathan  Greg 
James  G regg 
josiah  Jones  y 
Joseph  Chapman 
Jesse  Jones 


Jonathan  Jones 
Elijah  Dwinell 
John  Clark 
Matthew  Clark 
James  Clark 
Joseph  Curtice 
James  Thomson 
Robert  Clark 
Isaac  Cochran 
John  Hughes 
James  Rogers 
Sam^  Ames 
Thomas  Rogers 
Josiah  Jones 
William  Anderson 
Joseph  Anderson 
Ezra  Burbank 
John  Corning 
James  Donaldson 
Robert  Bartley 
Robert  Lyons 
James  Wyllie 

Will'"  Lvons 

•/ 

Phinehas  Pettingill 
Henere  Osman 
James  Lyons 
John  Allen 
Moses  Watt 
Thomas  M'^Cleary  S 
Thomas  M*'Cleary 
Jur 

John  M'^Cleary 
William  Wier 
James  Watt 
John  M*'Clenche 
James  Hogg 
David  Adams 
Amos  Sawyer 


George  M‘'Allaster 
Ephraim  White 
Robert  Morrison 
James  Page 
James  Boyes 
James  Boys  Jur 
Samuel  Corliss 
James  Nesmith 
Robert  Nesmith 
Thomas  Grear 
Samuel  White 
Robert  Boyes 
Samuel  Boyes 
Samuel  Boyes  Jur 
John  Corning 
Beniamin  Corning 
Amos  Stickney 
Georg  Corning 
Ebener  Giles 
John  Giles 
Joshua  Corning 
John  Watt 
Moses  Watt  Ser 
Hugh  Watts 
Joseph  Hogg 
Thomas  Hogg 
James  Hogg 
Thomas  Hilands 
Matthew  Dickey 
John  Dickey 
Ebenezer  Dickey 
Jonathan  Griffin 
Moses  Grifhn 
Samuel  Morrison 
Nathan  Plummer 
Nathan  Burpee 
Davied  Crowel 
Sam^  Crowel 


LONDONDERRY. 


481 


Robert  Dickey 
Thomas  Lennon 
Thomas  Holmes 
Jiohn  Norse 
John  Barker 
Joseph  Danforth 
James  Alexander 
Joseph  Gregg 
James  Orr 
John  Alexander 
James  Willson 
Robert  Willson 
Nathaneal  Hemphill 
George  Gregg 
Ebenezer  Gregg 
Daniel  Moore 
Jonas  Adams 
Hugh  Montgomery 
William  M‘^Crae 
Thomas  Anderson 
Daniel  Anderson 
James  Anderson  J^'' 
John  Anderson  J^'’ 
Sam*  Cochran 
Sam*  Cochran  Joneir 
Hugh  Alexander 
William  Alexander 
John  Alexander 
Edward  Ela 
James  Macmurphy 
Laurins  Beckley 
John  Marshall 
Jonathan  Reed 
Daniel  Marsh 
John  Gregg  Ju nr 
Josep  Gregg 
James  Gregg  Junr 
John  Archibald 
Wiliam  Clark 
Alex'*--  Clark 
Joshua  Bay  ley 
Abraham  Safford  Jur 

33 


Jsse  Annis 
Oliver  Sanders 
John  M*^keen  Jr 
James  M'^keen 
Cheles  Sargent 
Daniel  M'-Keen 
Samuel  M'-Keen 
Stephn  Holman 
John  Bailey 
William  Clinding 
Stephen  Reid 
Abraham  Safford 
Joseph  Prout 
John  Safford 
George  Russell 
John  Clindinen 
Thomas  willson 
John  Reid 
Samuel  morison 
David  Morison 
John  Warner 
John  Warner  Junr 
Nathaniel  Warner 
William  Taylor 
John  Taylor 
Samuel  Taylor 
Adam  Taylor 
Samuall  Taylor 
John  Bond 
Gilber  Bond 
Joseph  Bond 
Jonathan  Bond 
Am  mi  Bond 
Josiah  Stevens 
Thomas  mitchel 
Robert  Cochran 
George  Cochran 
Moses  Cochran 
James  Humphrey 
Jim' 

John  Steel 
David  Steel 


James  Humphrey 
Jacob  Procter 
Abraham  moreson 
Robert  Clindenin 
James  Cochran 
Peter  Kalley 
Nathaniel  Symonds 
John  Emery 
James  Barnett 
Parkur  mooers 
Adam  Taylor 
Robert  Mckay 
Willm.  Humphry 
Stephen  Johnson 
Samuel  Savory 
John  Taylor 
John  Taylor  Jun 
David  Davidson 
David  Colby 
David  Colby  Junr 
Simeon  morrill 
Barns  morrill 
Alexander  Kelsey 
James  Doack 
Jonathan  Kelsey 
Jonathan  ferren 
William  fisher 
David  Ela 
Alexand®--  Nickls 
James  Nickls 
Jonathan  Nickls 
Sam*  Karr 
Robert  m'^Farland 
William  Gilmore 
John  M*^ Curdy 

Samuell  

Alexander  Boyes 

Plumer 

Danel  plumer 
William  Keesey 
David  Morrison 


482  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[6-172]  [ Vote  of  the  Town  on  Pape7‘  Money ^ iy86.\ 
Londonderry  September  y®  9*^  1786 

on  the  Second  Artickle  the  Number  of  Votes  were  taken  for 
the  Emission  of  a Bank  of  Paper  money  and  found  to  be  One 
Hundred  and  Sixty  two  by  Poll  for  the  affirmative  and  None 
Polld  against  it — 

p*"  Robert  MacMurphy  Town  Clerk 

[See  Vol.  XI,  page  130. — Ed.] 


[6-176]  \^Letter^ — Col.  Reid  to  the  President  of  the  State, 

77<?7.] 

Londonderry  March  17^^  1787 — 

Sir — 

The  time  is  near  at  hand  when  we  did  expect  your  Excellen- 
cy in  this  quarter  in  Order  to  make  a General  review  of  the 
Troops  under  your  command — I should  be  exceeding  happy  in 
seeing  you  here  on  that  Occation,  but  Coll.  Reynolds  has  inti- 
mated to  me  his  sincere  wish,  that  the  review  of  his  regiment 
might  be  postponed  untill  next  fall ; I believe  his  reasons  are 
something  weighty,  to  my  knowledge  three  of  the  companies  in 
this  Town  are  in  the  utmost  confusion  & disorder,  occationed 
by  the  late  unhappy  disturbance,  I beleive  he  is  useing  his 
greatest  exertions  to  have  matters  arranged  and  put  in  the  best 
order  possible,  himself  will  give  your  Excellency  his  reasons 
for  this  request  more  fully — 

I have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Excellencys  most 

Obeffi  Hble  SeiV 

Geo  Reid 


[6-177]  \^Daniel  Reynolds  elected  to  fll  a Vacancy  in  the 
House  of  Representatives , Z7<?/.] 

Londonderry  Nov’’ y®  ^7^7 — 

Then  at  a Legal  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Town  Col. 
Daniel  Reynolds  was  Chosen  unanimously  to  represent  them  in 
the  next  or  any  future  Session  of  the  Gen‘  Court  of  this  State 


LONDONDERRY. 


483 


up  to  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  next  in  the  room  of  John 
Prentice  Esq"  who  is  appointed  Attorney  Gen'  of  this  State — 

Attested  p"  us — John  Bell  Selectmen 

(jreo.  Reid.  >■  of 
J.  Nesmith  Ju"  ) L.  Derry 

Test  William  anderson^To^  Clerk 


[6-178]  S^Petition  of  Congregationalists  for  an  Incorpora- 

tion^  77P<5.] 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  convened  at  Exeter  in  and  for  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  June  6^^  1796 

Humbly  sheweth 


That  whereas  the  Town  of  Londonderry  is  large  in  its 
extents,  and  numerous  in  its  Inhabitants,  and  but  Two  Socie- 
ties established  for  religious  worship,  both  of  which  are  of  the 
Presbyterian  denomination,  and  that  a very  considerable  part 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  have  been  Educated  under,  and 
are  in  Sentiment  with  the  Congregational  denomination,  and  by 
reason  of  many  scruples  of  Concience,  cannot  freely  subscribe 
to  the  Creed  of  either  of  the  societies  aforesaid.  And  that  an- 
other very  considerable  number  of  said  Town,  altho  Educated 
under  the  Presbyterian  government,  have  been  unused  to  the 
riged  & Abitrary  mode  of  Government,  adopted  by  the  present 
Presbytery  of  Londonderry,  and  that  the  government  of  said 
society,  under  the  present  mode  of  Administration,  is  so  riged, 
and  arbitrary,  as  gives  much  occasion  for  complaints  to  those 
who  have  submitted  thereto.  Your  petitioners  therefore  Inhab- 
itants of  Londonderry,  being  desirous  of  forming  themselves 
into  a Congregational  society  and  of  worshiping  God  in  a social 
manner  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  Consciences,  and 
when  of  sufficient  ability,  to  settle,  and  in  a corporate  capacity 
to  contract  with  a minister  of  the  Congregational  denomination, 
Humbly  pray,  that  they  with  such  other  persons  as  may  here- 
after join  them  in  said  Town,  may  be  incorporated  into  a poll 
Parish,  and  vested  wdth  such  powers,  rights,  and  privelidges, 
as  other  Parishes  enjoy,  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray — 


Jonathan  Adams 
Willim  Miltimore 
Daniel  Miltimore 
James  Miltimore 


William  Adams 
James  Adams 
Nathan  Stinson 
Humphry  Morss 


Levi  Neal 
Robert  M‘^Neill 
William  M’^Neill 
James  M‘^Gregore 


484 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Jonathan  Wallace 
James  Doake 
Robert  Ramsey 
Willim  Wallace 
John  Miltimore 
John  Neal  2*^ 
Daniel  Aiken 
John  Hunter 
Jonathan  Adams  J 


Isaac  Thom 
Robert  Wilson 
Will*"  Humphry 
Benj**  T.  Humfrey 
Robeft  Clindinen 
Robert  Dinsmoor 
Robert  MacMurphy 
Rob*  M'^Murphy' Ju*" 
r John  Neal 


Edmund  Black 
Robert  Clark 
James  Palmer 
James  Palmer  Jun^ 
Humphry  Morss 
Andrew  Moor 
David  Patterson 
William  Eayers 
John  Prentice 


[6-179]  S^Committee  chosen  to  present  the  Petition^  ^797-^ 

At  a meeting  of  the  Petitioners  for  a Congregational  Poll 
Parish  in  Londonderry  held  at  the  House  of  Isaac  Thom  Nov*" 

23d  1797— 

Voted  to  chuse  a Committee  of  three  persons  to  prosecute 
their  petition  now  pending  before  the  General  Court  & that 
John  Prentice  James  M^Gregore  & Isaac  Thom  Esquires  should 
be  said  Committee 

Attest  Isaac  Thom  Clerk  for  the  Petitioners 
Londonderry  Nov*"  23^  ^797 


[6-180] 

To  the  Honorable,  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  convened  at  Ports- 
mouth on  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  this  instant  November — 


Humbly  Shew  that  we  the  Subscribers,  inhabitance  of  Lon- 
donderry in  the  County  of  Rockingham  in  said  State,  had  not  an 
opportunity  to  sign  the  petition,  now  pending  before  the  Legis- 
lature of  said  State,  praying  to  be  incorporated  into  a Congre- 
gational Poll  Parish  in  Londonderry  aforesaid  ; and  for  other 
good  Causes  now  pray  the  Honorable  Legislature  to  consider 
us  petitioners  in  the  same  way  and  manner  as  it  would  have 
done,  had  we  have  signed  the  original  petition. 

Londonderry  November  ii***  i797 


John  Miltimore  Ju*" 
John  Cochran 
Peter  Cochran 
John  Clark 
Thos  M‘*Kinley 


John  Hum  : Clin- 
dennin 
David  Clark 
John  Burnham 
Henery  Downs 


Joshua  Dodge 
John  Slingsby 
John  Boies 
William  Eayers  J*" 
James  Ramsay 


LOUDON. 


485 


Benjamin  Palmer  Charles  Cox  William  Cooper 

Stephen  Reynolds  Robert  Rogers  William  Moor 

John  Dodge 

[The  society  was  incorporated  by  an  act  approved  De- 
cember 9,  1797. — Ed.] 


LOUDON. 

This  town  was  formed  of  territory  taken  from  Canter- 
bury, and  incorporated  “into  a distinct  parish  by  the  name 
of  Loudon,"  January  23,  1773,  in  answer  to  a petition  from 
the  inhabitants.  (See  Vol.  XI,  page  263  ) 

The  first  settlements  were  made  in  1760  by  Jethro  and 
Abraham  Bachelder  and  Moses  Ordway. 

January  2,  1784,  a gore  of  land  which  had  formerly  been 
claimed  by  Rumford,  but  which  was  left  to  Canterbury 
when  Rumford  was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Concord, 
and  incorporated  with  Loudon  in  1773,  was  annexed  to 
Concord. 

January  7,  1853,  a small  tract  of  land  was  severed  from 
Canterbury  and  annexed  to  Loudon. 


[6-1 81]  \_Petitzon  to  have  a Portiozi  of  the  Town  annexed 

to  Cozicord^  1^82 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  con- 
vened 

The  Petition  of  Samuel  Chamberlain  & others  Inhabitants 
of  the  westerly  part  of  the  parish  of  Loudon  humbly  sheweth, 
That  your  petitioners  are  situated  at  a great  distance  from  the 
Meeting  House  in  said  parish  which  makes  it  very  inconven- 
ient for  them  to  be  connected  therewith — Sensible  thereof  your 
petitioners  did  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
eighty  petition  the  said  Parish  of  Loudon  to  set  them  ofi'  to  the 
parish  of  Concord  which  was  granted  and  a Committee  was 
chosen  for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  line  said  committee  per- 
suant  to  their  appointment  did  attend  upon  the  business  & 
made  report  of  their  doings  thereon  to  the  parish  of  Loudon 


486 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS, 


which  report  was  by  them  Accepted  and  is  as  follows  Viz  Be- 
gining  on  the  eastwardly  banks  of  Sowcook  River  so  called 
where  said  river  crosses  Rumford  line  thence  running  up  said 
river  on  the  eastwardly  side  within  two  rods  of  the  foot  of  the 
Great  falls  so  called  thence  straight  across  the  neck  of  Land  to 
the  river  two  rods  above  said  falls  thence  continueing  up  by 
the  river  on  the  Eastwardly  side  to  the  hundred  Acre  Lot  No 
one  hundred  Ninety  two  thence  by  Ditto  North  about  twenty 
two  Degrees  west  two  hundred  rods  to  a Pitch  pine  marked 
thence  North  about  thirty  six  rods  to  the  North  side  of  the 
road  Leading  from  Canterbury  to  Epsom  thence  North  seven- 
ty degrees  west  by  said  road  about  one  hundred  rods  thence 
North  sixty  degrees  west  eighty  five  rods  thence  North  forty 
five  degrees  west  sixty  five  rods  to  a Pitch  pine  Marked  thence 
North  sixty  three  degrees  west  sixty  two  rods  to  a White  pine 
marked  thence  Northwesterly  a straight  course  to  the  North 
easterly  corner  of  Rumford  thence  south  seventy  degrees  west 
to  the  present  corner  of  Concord 

Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  your  Honours  to  take  the 
matter  into  consideration  and  if  you  shall  think  proper  Annex 
them  to  Concord  Agreable  to  the  Above  described  line  and 
Your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever  pray  &c 

Loudon  March  3o‘^  1782 — 

Samuel  Chamberlain 
Abial  Chamberlain 
Sam^  Chamberlain  Jun*' 
Moses  Chamberlain 
Benjamin  thomson 

[A  portion  of  this  town  was  annexed  to  Concord,  Jan.  2, 

1784. — Ed.] 

[6-182]  \^Benjamin  Sias  recommended  for  a Magistrate^ 

1785- 

State  of  Newhampshire  Rockingham  ss 

To  his  Exelency  the  president  & honorable  Council  of  the 

State  of  Newhampshire. 

The  petition  of  the  parish  of  Loudon  humbly  sheweth  that 
it  apears  to  us  your  petitioners  that  it  is  Needfull  and  Benifishel 
to  the  people  of  this  parish  to  have  another  Justice  of  the  peace 
appointed  for  s'^  parish  & County  we  would  Not  be  understood 
to  have  aney  thing  against  Esq*"  Bachelder  our  present  Justice  but 
many  times  we  have  business  in  the  Absence  of  Esq*"  Bachelder 


LOUDON. 


487 


which  puts  us  to  Extraordinary  cost  or  our  Business  Must  Lay 
unsetled  we  tharefore  Beag  that  your  Exelency  and  honors 
would  appoint  Cap*  Benj"  Sias  of  this  parish  as  Justice  of  the 
peace  for  s'*  parish  & County  as  we  Look  upon  him  to  be  a 
good  Member  of  sociaty  a man  of  a Good  Judgment  and  Edu- 
cation More  suitable  for  that  office  then  aney  other  Man  in  the 
parish  of  Loudon  and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall 
Ever  pray 

Loudon  april  y®  20**^ 


Sam*  Chamberling 
Sam*  Chamberling 

Jffi 

paid  Morril 
Abraham  Bachelder 
william  Bachelder 
william  worth 
william  Lovering 
osgood  Lovering 
James  Chase 
Abner  Clough 
John  hall 
Richard  Rendail 
Solomon  Gils 
Jonathan  piper 
Sam*  Piper 
Aaron  hartshorn 
Epheram  Blunt 
Jacob  Towle 
william  Boynton 
Moses  Lovering 
Moses  Morill 
Timothy  Bachelder 
Abeal  french 
Gearshom  Merthes 
Thomas  proctor 
Lyonel  worth 
Joseph  Tilton 
Celab  Pilesbury 


True  worthy  Palmer 
henerey  Sloper 
Ezekiel  french 
Nathaniel  Moore 
Jacob  Danforth 
Josiah  Moore 
Thomas  Moore 
Ezekiel  Moore 
Jonathan  Clough 
Joseph  Clough 
Nathan  Clough 
Jonathan  Clough  Jif 
Thomas  Sers^ant 
Stephen  pirkins 
Jams  Morill 
Thomas  Emerey 
Jeremiah  Be  net 
Daniel  Levet 
Aaron  vStephens 
Moses  ordway  Ju'' 
Sam*  Lovejoy 
Phinihas  Stephens 
Daniel  Ordway 
Daniel  Bachelder 
Stephen  Langmade 
Barned  Stills 
Nathan  Tilton 
Jonathan  Rendail 
harvey  Blesdail 


Isaac  Morill 
Charles  Sias 
Epheram  Blunt  Jffi 
olover  Blesdail 
Isiah  harvey 
Jonathan  hoit 
Moses  ordway 
Sam*  Morill 
Israel  Glins 
Joseph  Bachelder 
Joseph  Giles 
Jonathan  pirkins 
David  Greeley 
william  Tilton 
william  Goein 
Ebenezer  french 
Moses  Stephens 
Aaron  Moses 
Nathaniel  hill 
william  Buswill 
obadiah  french 
Eleaser  watson 
Jams  Cate 
Sam*  Ela 
Jams  Gibson 
Sam*  Shurborn 
Jacob  Shurborn 
Isaac  Lovejoy 


[6-183]  [ Vote  relative  to  Paper  Money ^ iy86,'\ 

At  a Legal  Town  Meeting  held  in  the  Parish  of  Loudon  this 
24th  of  NovenP  1786,  for  emitting  a Paper  Currency,  It  ap- 


488 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


pears  that  Sixteen  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  parish,  Voted  for 
receiving  the  Plan,  and  Seven  against  it. 


John  Sanborn  Select  Men 

Josiph  Smith  of 

James  Thompson  ) Loudon 


[See  Vol.  XI,  p.  130. — Ed.] 


[6-186]  \ Joseph  Smith  recommended  for  a Magistrate  about 


To  his  Excellency  the  President  & Honnereable  Councillors  of 
the  State  of  new  hampshire  the  pottision  of  Sundrea  inhab- 
atants  of  the  Town  of  Loudon  most  humbaley  Sheueth  as 
thare  is  a Vacancy  for  a man  viz  a Jestus  of  the  peace  in  said 
Loudon  in  Order  to  keep  peace  and  good  order  thare  in  your 
petitioners  humbaley  Aprehend  your  Exelleys  and  honners 
greate  care  and  wisdom  which  you  have  shewn  in  grating 
Commission  of  Every  kind  to  suitable  persons  your  petitioners 
tharefore  prays  your  Exellincy  and  honners  would  grant  L*  Jo- 
seph Smith  of  said  Louden  a Commission  for  the  peace — as 
your  potishoners  ascertained  and  are  Trewley  Sensible  of  his 
Character  and  good  Conduct  for  years  past  and  will  Undoubt- 
edly give  Sattisfaction  in  said  oftes  to  the  Town  in  general 
your  Exellincy  and  honners  Complyance  with  this  request  will 
for  Ever  be  Acknowleadged  as  a favour  and  your  petitioners 
&c  Shall  Ever  pray 


Jethro  Bachelder 
willam  Boynton 
willam  BachLder 
Jeramer  Benet 
Lebe  Bachelder 
Jonathan  Clough  J' 
Nath®^  Bacheldr  I’’ 
ELisah  mouLton 
John  moor 
willam  gbson 
Thomas  Bachlder 
Phinihas  Stevans 
Philip  Brown 
John  Clough 
Samuel  Cate 
Jacob  towl 
Palfry  Downing 


Samuel  Ayer 
Barnard  Stiles 
Jeremiah  Clough 
Jonathan  Chase 
Moses  morss 
Taylor  Lovring 
Joshua  Walls 
moar  Lovren  Jur 
James  Chase 
Stephen  Cate 
Ebenezer  Parker 
Sami  Cate 
Dimond  furnald 
Abarham  bachaLder 
Israel  gLins 
nathaneL  smith 
Abiel  Chamberlin 


Joses  ordway 
John  Sargent  Junr 
W"^  Wiggin 
Jonathan  Wiggin  Ju*" 
William  Clefford 
Ezekiel  french 
Samuel  Chamberlin 
John  spoksfeeLd 
Willam  goan 
Ebenezer  French 
David  Bagley 
Isaac  Pilesbury 
John  Stevens 
Cornelius  bussal 
David  Greeley 
Joshua  Sargent 
Abner  Clough 


LOUDON. 


489 


Ebenezer  Towl 
Daniel  Smith 
Sam^  Piper 
Steven  fiveld 
Moses  Ordway  Ju 
Moses  ordway 
Daniel  ordway 


Ephraim  Chamber-  Daniel  Levet 
lin  Jonathan  Hoyt 

Moses  Chamberlin  Abner  Clough 
Peter  Rollings  Ausgood  Lovran 

Samuel  Chamberlain  moses  Lovren 
David  Eastman  willeby  Lovren 
daneL  true  Hanson  hight 


[6—188]  S^Another  Recommendation  for  fos.  Smith. 

A True  Copy  of  the  Original  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Loudon. 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  Honorable  Council  for  said 
State  Convened. 


The  Humble  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Loudon,  Humbly  Sheweth  that  Nathan  Bachelder 
Esq’’  is  about  to  remove  out  of  said  Loudon,  and  as  it  is  neces- 
sary there  should  be  a person  appointed  as  a Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  that  part  of  Said  Town,  and  we  conceive  L*  Joseph 
Smith  to  be  a Man  of  the  best  Qualifications  for  that  purpose 
and  would  give  the  best  satisfaction  to  the  People  in  general, 
and  we  beg  your  Excellency  and  Honors  would  appoint  and 
Qiialify  M*"  Smith  accordingly,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
bound  Shall  ever  pray. 

Loudon  April  30**'  1789 — 


Jeremiah  Clough 
Esq*" 

Samuel  Chamberlin 
Esq’' 

Cap^  William  Boyn- 
ton 

L‘  Abner  Clough 
L*  Palphrey  Down- 
ing 

Jon“  Chase 
Moses  Morse 
Taylor  Lovering 
Joshua  Wells 
James  Chace 
Moses  Lovrin 
Moses  Lovrin  Jun 
Stephen  Cate 
Eben’’  Parker 


Moses  Ordway  Jun 
Dan'  Ordway 
Sam*  Ayers 
Barnard  Stiles 
Jethro  Bachelder 
Will’"  Bachelder 
Jeremiah  Bennet 
Lebe  Bachelder 
Jon“  Clough 
Nath*  Bachelder 
Elijah  Moulton 
John  Moore 
W"’  Gibson 
Tho®  Bachelder 
Phin®  Stevens 
Philip  Brown 
John  Clough 
Abr’"  Bachelder 


David  Eastman 
Daniel  True 
Joses  Ordway 
John  Sargent  Jun 
W’"  Wiggin 
Jon”  Wiggin 
W’"  Cliflbrd 
Ezekiel  French 
John  Spokesfield 
Will*"  Goan 
Eben’’  French 
David  Bagley 
Isaac  Pilsbury 
John  Stevens 
Cornel®  Busiel 
David  Greeley 
Joshua  Sargent 
Daniel  Leavitt 


490 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Samuel  Cate 
Diamond  Furnald 
Jacob  Towl 
Eben*"  Towl 
Daniel  Smith 
L‘  Sam'  Piper 
Moses  Ordway 


Israel  Glines 
Nath'  Smith 
Abial  Chamberlin 
Eph"’  Chamberlin 
Moses  Chamberlin 
Sam'  Chamberlin 
Peter  Rawlings 


Jonathan  Hoyt 
L' Abner  Clough  Jun 
Ausgood  Loverin 
Willibe  Loverin 
Hanson  Hoyt 
Stephen  Fifield 
Sam'  Cate  Jun*" 


[6-190]  \^yohn  Sanborn  recommended  for  a Magistrate^ 

7759.] 


State  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss. — 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  Honorable  Council  Con- 
vened, We  your  humble  Petitioners  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish 
of  Loudon  prays  your  Excellency  and  Honors  that  you  would 
so  far  adhere  to  our  request  as  to  appoint  and  Qiialify  Capt. 
John  Sanborn  of  Loudon  aforesaid  for  a Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
said  County,  as  we  think  it  very  necessary  and  consider  him  a 
Man  of  the  best  Qualifications  amongst  us,  so  with  your  Com- 
pliance we  your  humble  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray  Dated  at  Loudon  aforesaid  April  10"^  17S9 — 


James  Silver 
William  Gilman 
Eleazer  Young 
Moses  Rawlings 
Samuel  Jacobs 
Stephen  Jacobs 
Joseph  Drew 
Ephraim  Berry 
Joshua  Berry 
Jethro  Bachelder 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Eli  Bickford 
Caleb  Stevens 
Isaac  Lowell 
Joseph  Mathes 
Gershom  Mathes 
John  Sargent 
Samuel  Carter 
Moses  Morrill 
David  Hutchins 
Caleb  Pilsbury 
Thomas  Procter 


Nath'  Weeks 
Nath'  Tilton 
William  Tilton 
Gideon  Lowell 
Timothy  French 
Josiah  Sargent 
Obadiah  French 
Jacob  Osborn 
Simeon  Stevens 
Nath'  Hill 
Nath'  Hill  Jun 
Stephen  Wells 
Moses  Stevens 
John  Sweat 
Sam'  Drew  Jun. 
Abial  Stevens 
Limuel  Drew 
Samuel  Drew 
Robert  Drew 
Isaiah  Harvey 
Jethro  Bachelder 
Sam'  French 


John  Rawlings 
Ellet  Carr 
Dan'  Fowler 
Josiah  Rines 
Jonathan  Randel 
Jeremiah  Brown 
Oliver  Morrill 
Benj®^  Swain 
Richard  Flood 
Phinehas  Page 
Thomas  Sargent 
Stephen  Perkins 
Jon^  Perkins 
Isaac  Clifford 
Harvy  Blasdel 
Isaac  Rogers 
Oliver  Blasdel 
Joseph  Moulton 
Sam'  Morrill 
Will*”  Moulton 
Eliph'  Rawlings 


LOUDON. 


491 


[R.  2-334]  \,List  of  Soldiers  in  the  Arniy^ 

Loudon  august  y®  2"**  ^77^ 

To  thos.  Stickney  Colonel  Sir  the  training  band  Belonging 
to  my  Company  In  said  Loudon  Consisteth  of  sixty  six  men 
Exclusive  of  the  Corhmission  officers — 

the  alarm  List  in  said  Loudon  are  twenty  men  Eight  of  the 
above  men  are  gone  with  the  late  Recruts  in  the  Northern  army 
Namely 

Joseph  Magoon  Sam’  Hanes  Andrew  Nelley 

Ezra  Blasdel  Solomon  Huntress  Amos  Norton 

Ephraim  Davis  John  Davis 

Ben^  Sias  Capt 


[R.  2 -239]  [^Soldiers’  Enlistments^  iy8o-8i 

State  of  Newhampshier  Rockingham 

I the  subriah  whose  name  Is  under  Ritten  do  Volenterily  En- 
list myself  to  save  as  a Solger  for  the  Parish  of  Loudon  at  hav- 
erail  in  Coos  until  the  last  day  of  December  Next  wich  Tarm 
of  time  I Promos  abedeance  to  my  offirsors  and  to  be  under  the 
Rules  & Rigalitons  of  the  armey  As  witness  my  hand  dated 
at  Loudon  this  10  day  of  Juley,  1780 

John  Gibson 


[R.  2-230] 

State  of  Newhampshir  ) agrable  to  ordors  To  CoP  Stickney  A 

Rockingham  ss  | Return  of  the  Solgers  that  I have  Ene- 
listed  to  serve  for  the  Parish  of  Loudon  in  the  Contennential 
armey  from  the  I3  Day  of  this  Instant  three  months  are  as  fol- 
lows Namely  Timothy  Bachelder  & Dudley  Swain  Moses 
Danford  Enoach  Bagley  of  Loudon  and  Levey  Shaw  of  Gil- 
manton  & Anthony  Potter  of  Concord  a Tru  Return  from  your 
Most  humbel  Servent 

Loudon  Juley  17’’"  17S0  Joseph  Tilton  Cap‘ 

[R.  2-231] 

To  CoP  Stickney  A Return  of  the  men  that  are  Inlisted  for 
the  parish  of  Loudon  to  serve  in  the  Contennintel  armey  three 
months  unless  sunner  Discharg  are  Bejamen  Davis  & John  Bus- 
will  Jonas  wimon  this  from  your  humbail  Servint. 

Joseph  Tilton  Cap‘ 

Loudon  September  th  19  y«  17S1 

To  CoP  Thomas  Stickney  in  Concord 


492 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R.  2 -232]  \_Soldier^ s Receipt^  lySo.^ 

Received  of  Joseph  Tilton  & william  Boynton  an  oblagation 
for  one  hundrood  & fifty  Bushils  of  marchable  Indon  Corn  It 
being  In  full  Pay  as  a solgor  for  to  sarve  for  the  Parish  of  Lou- 
don at  havirial  in  Coos  untill  the  Last  Day  of  December  and 
The  s*^  Tilton  & Boynton  are  to  have  the  wageas  that  the  State 
Gives  As  witness  my  hand 

John  Gibson 

Loudon  Juley  the  10  y®  1780 

Nathan  Bachelder 
Tob  Haskell 


[R.  2-233]  S^Soldiers*  Orders 


Loudon  December  17S4 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire. — 

Sir,  Please  to  pay  Dan^  Cook  or  his  order  All  that  is  due  to 
me  I having  been  a Soldier  in  the  Co  of  the  2^  New  Hamp- 
shire Reg‘  during  the  War. 

Value  Rec*^  Witness  my  Hand. — 


his 

Attest  Enoch  X Dockum 

John  Godfree 
Samuel  Gones 

Lowden  Jan^'  4'^  ^7^5 — 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 


Sir,  Please  to  pay  John  Nicholls  or  his  order  all  that  is  due  to 
me  I having  been  a Soldier  in  the  3*^  New  Hampshire  Regiment 
— Value  Received, 

Attest  Witness  my  hand, 

Jonathan  Smith  his 

Jethro  Sherburne  . Zackriah  X Quinby 

mark 


LYMAN. 

This  township  was  granted  November  10,  1761,10  Daniel 
Lyman  and  sixty-three  others.  Eleven  of  the  grantees  bore 
the  name  of  Lyman,  which  accounts  for  the  name  of  the 
town. 

The  conditions  of  the  grant  not  being  fulfilled,  an  exten- 


LYMAN. 


493 


sion  was  granted  July  20,  1769,  in  answer  to  a petition  from 
Abraham  Thompson,  of  Connecticut,  agent  for  the  original 
grantees. 

But  few  settlements  were  made  in  town  prior  to  the  Rev- 
olutionary war,  there  being  but  ten  ratable  polls  in  1777. 

By  an  act  approved  July  13,  1854,  all  that  portion  of  the 
town  lying  west  of  Gardner’s  mountain  was  severed  from 
Lyman,  and  incorporated  into  a town  by  the  name  of  Mon- 
roe. 

Gold,  copper,  and  lead  have  been  found  in  this  town,  and 
mined  to  some  extent. 


[6-194]  S^Petition  for  an  Extensioit  of  the  Charter.^ 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General 

Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  & over  his  Majestys 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  in  Council — 

The  petition  of  Abraham  Thompson  of  New  Hav'en  in  the 
Colony  of  Connecticutt,  Agent  & Trustee  for  the  original  gran- 
tees of  the  Township  of  Lyman  in  the  said  Province  of  New 
Hampshire,  Humbly  sheweth — that  your  petitioner  & his  con- 
stituents obtained  of  the  Late  Governor  of  said  Province,  a 
Charter  for  the  said  Township  of  Lyman,  and  have  proceeded 
to  survey  & allot  the  same  and  have  also  made  some  Settle- 
ments thereon  but  your  petitioners  have  been  greatly  impeded 
in  their  progress  by  the  unexpected  Divisional  Line,  making 
Connecticut  River  the  Boundary  between  the  province  of  New 
York  & New  Hampshire,  as  your  petitioners  were  Proprietors 
in  several  Towns  on  the  western  Side  of  said  river  on  which 
they  had  made  great  Improvements,  that  this  sudden  & unex- 
pected Determination  threw  them  into  great  consternation,  and 
they  have  been  greatly  harrassed  by  the  Governor  of  New  York, 
which  with  other  expensive  Discouragements,  they  have  been 
unable  to  bring  forward  the  Settlement  of  said  Township  so 
soon  as  they  expected,  but  are  determined  to  make  a progress 
therein  on  the  Ensueing  Spring — Wherefore  your  Petitioner  in 
behalf  of  himself  & his  Constituents  the  other  Grantees  of  said 
Township  of  Lyman,  humbly  pray  that  Your  Excellency  & 
the  Hon*^‘®  Council  would  be  pleased  to  renew  their  Charter  for 
said  Township  of  Lyman  or  lengthen  out  the  Time  for  settling 
the  same,  assuring  y*"  ExcelP  & Honours,  that  we  shall  not  fail 
to  comply  with  the  same,  and  further  we  pray  to  be  relieved 
on  the  Premises  as  Y*"  Excellency  & Hon*'®  in  your  W’^isdom, 


494 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


shall  think  may  most  conduce  to  Answer  the  Prayer  of  their 
Petition,  and  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray— 

Abraham  thompson 
Agent  for  the  Grantees  of  Lyman 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  July  20,  1769. — Ed.] 


[6-191]  \_Relative  to  Taxes.'\ 

The  Honourable  Representatives  and  Counsel  of  the  State  of 
New-Hampshire, — We  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Lymon 
County  of  Grafton  and  State  aforesaid,  Petitioneth  an  Abate- 
ment in  Our  Taxes  from  the  year  1776  to  this  present  time 
Humblv  shewing  Reasons  why,  said  Town  in  1776  were  Eight 
in  Number  and  Tax*^  £ o: — 12.  6,  in  1777  the  like  Number 
were  Tax*^  £60 — 15 — 10,  the  Same  Number  in  177S  were  Tax^ 
£i2i — II — 8,  in  the  above  Mention‘d  i77^i  ^777’  ^77^  Our 

Situation  w'as  such  and  the  Number  of  Inhabitants  so  Small  we 
Could  not  call  a Town  Meeting,  at  this  time  we  are  Eighteen 
in  Number  and  Tax*^  Ten  out  of  said  Eighteen 

for  three  years  past  have  paid  Taxes  in  Other  Towns  for  which 
they  can  produce  Lawful  Certificates,  Consiquently  the  Eight 
Setlers  first  Mention‘d  will  have  all  the  tax  to  pay  we  have  Sent 
a True  Invoise  as  Our  Polls  and  Ratable  Estate  Stood  in  April 
1777,  Invoise  your  Honours  will  find  said  Taxes  too 

high  as  we  were  Scarcely  able  to  Maintain  Ourselves  And 
Roads  through  said  Lymon,  if  your  Honours  see  cause  or  think 
it  prudence  to  abate  said  Tax  according  to  said  invoise  we  shall 
Cherefully  pay  said  Tax  if  not  said  Setlers  must  fall  a Sacrifice 
to  said  State, — and  as  said  Town  of  Lymon  is  not  Incorporated 
or  said  Incorporation  lost  or  Misplac‘d  we  youi*  Humble  Peti- 
tioners Desire  you  would  Appoint  Cap*  Nathan  Hodges  of  said 
Lymon  to  call  a Town  Meeting  to  Chuse  Town  Officers,  that 
we  may  be  Enabled  to  assess  s^  Taxes  and  Lawfully  gather  the 
Delinquent  Tax  of  s**  Town  as  your  Petitioners  are  bound  in 
Duty  and  Ever  pray — 


Solomon  Parker 
Jonathan  knap 
Abiail  knap 
Jonathan  molton 
Asa  fuller 


Solomon  Parker  J*" 
Thomas  m'^Connell 
Evan  m'^Bean 
Lemuel  Parker 


Job  molten 
obadiah  Eastman 
David  Hodges 
Oliver  hand 


LYMAN. 


495 


[6-192]  \_Town  Invoice^  ^777 •\ 


An  Invoice  of  the  Town  of  Lyman  April  i777 

Number  of  Poles  10  number  oxen — 4 
num*"  Cows — 5 

47  acres  plow  ground  and  Mowing  47 


[6-193]  \_Petition  for  Abatement  of  Taxes ^ ^779 


To  the  Honorable  the  Representatives  and  Council  of  the  State 
of  New  Hampshire — 


The  petition  of  the  Selectman  of  the  Township  of  Lyman 
in  the  County  of  Grafton  and  State  aforesaid — Sheweth  That 
Your 


Petitioners  being  Inhabitants  of  said  Town — In  the  Year  1776 
we  were  only  Eight  in  Number  and  Taxed  12/6  In  the  Year 
1777  being  the  like  Number  and  Taxed  <£6o,  15s  lod,  also  the 
like  Number  in  the  Year  1778  and  Taxed  £121,  iis,  8d — In 
those  Years  we  were  not  a sufficient  Number  to  Incorporate  or 
call  Town  Meetings  so  we  could  not  possibly  have  Constables 
Collectors  but  at  this  present  Time  are  Eighteen  in  Number 
and  Taxed  <£379,  los  od  for  the  Payment  of  which  all  our  Live 
and  Trading  Stock  Vs^ill  not  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  same  We 
own  we  have  been  delinquent  in  the  Payment  of  the  above 
Taxes  not  from  any  Disrespect  to  the  State  but  from  the  Pov- 
erty which  those  few  Inhabitants  endured  at  that  Time  we  are 
and  will  be  always  willing  to  Assist  the  States  in  every  thing, 
great  Part  of  Us  having  been  in  the  Service,  Ten  out  of  the 
Eighteen  for  these  Three  Years  past  have  paid  Taxes  for  their 
Poll  for  which  they  can  produce  Certificates  from  other  Towns 
and  States,  The  Consequence  will  be  the  Poor  People  of  this 
Town  must  of  Course  fall  a Sacrifice  with  every  thing  they 
Possess  and  be  brought  to  Entire  Ruin  if  they  are  Obliged  to 
Answer  the  above  Demand  Therefore  we  Your  Honours  Peti- 
tioners hopes  you  will  take  the  same  into  your  Wise  and  Seri- 
ous Consideration  and  grant  such  Relief  in  the  above  Request 
as  in  your  Wisdom  may  seem  most  meet  And  your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  Bound  shall  Ever  Pray 


496 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


We  the  Poor  Distressed  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  begs  your 
Honours  will  Gratify  the  Selectmen  in  the  above  Request — 


Evan  m'^Bean 
Asa  Fuller 
Jonathan  moulton 
Lemuel  Fuller 


Oliver  Hand 
Job  molton 
Solomon  Parker 


Lemuel  Hodges 
David  Hodges 
Ju*"  Samuel  Parker 


[6-195]  \_Report  of  a Com77iittee  relative  to  a Soldier^  //c?^.] 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referd  a Petition  in  behalf  of 
the  Town  of  Lyman  respecting  Continental  Soldiers  having 
considered  the  same  beg  leave  to  report  as  their  Opinion 
that  said  Town  be  allow’d  for  Thomas  Piper  a Continental 
Soldier  in  Gen^  Washingtons  Guards  (furnished  agreable  to 
the  requisition  of  the  State)  the  sum  of  sixty  pounds  & the 
interest  and  that  the  Treasurer  Credit  the  same  in  settling  the 
Charge  against  said  Town  for  deficiency  of  Soldiers — 

By  order  of  the  Committee 

Submitted  per  Nath^  Peabody 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  2,  1786,  the  foregoing  report  was 
accepted  and  adopted.  Council  concurred. — Ed.] 


[6-196]  \_Relative  to  Soldiers  furnished  for  the  Ward\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Grafton  ss  JaiF  19*^  17S6 

To  the  Hon^  Gen^  Court  of  said  State  to  be  Conven’d  at  Ports- 
mouth on  the  first  Wednesday  of  February  next  by  adjourn- 
ment— 

The  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Lyman  Humbly  sheweth — 
That  at  the  commencement  of  the  Late  war  with  Great  Brit- 
ain— Notwithstanding  the  many  Irnbarrisments  we  then  la- 
boured under,  by  Reason  of  being  Expos’d  to  our  Enemy 
A number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town  Inlisted  and  went 
into  the  service  for  short  Campaigns  That  a number  of  said 
Inhabitants  did  Inlist  into  said  service  for  three  Years  and 
Dureing  the  war — that  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  17S1  your  pe- 
titioners Received  the  Apportionment  of  this  States  Quota  of 
Soldiers  in  said  service  (and  Notwithstanding  we  conceiv’d  we 
were  Doom’d  much  to  high)  found  we  had  abundantly  more 


LYMAN. 


497 


than  our  proportion  in  service — and  proceeded  to  make  return 
thereof  to  the  Secrety — conceiving  that  we  were  hot  cal*^  on  to 
send  the  Number  as  affixed  to  us  if  we  had  already  said  num- 
ber in  the  service  of  the  war — 

That  notwithstanding  (and  to  our  Great  surprise)  we  are  In- 
form’d that  there  are  now  an  Extent  out  against  us  for  want  of 
our  proportion  of  Soldiers  in  said  service  when  we  in  fact  sup- 
pos’d that  we  had  done  as  much  more  than  our  proportion,  as 
to  free  us  at  least  from  paying  any  Tax  during  the  war, — 

That  in  addition  to  our  many  Distresses — in  the  Year  1776 
Every  family  and  person  in  Town  Had  to  moove  out  of  the 
Town  and  keept  Garrison  untill  they  found  they  might  as  well 
be  KilE  by  the  Enemy  as  Die  by  famine,  then  mooved  to  Town 
again  where  they  have  ever  since  continued — and  endeavoured 
by  every  possable  means  in  Honesty  to  acquire  a living — 

That  if  your  Honours  see  ht  to  grant  us  some  Relief  accord- 
ing as  the  Nature  of  our  case  Requires  it  will  prevent  our  leav- 
ing Town — as  all  the  personal  property  in  said  Town  is  Not 
sufficient  to  pay  the  Demand  that  the  State  has  against  us — 

Lyman  Jan^  19^^  1786 


At  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town 
Voted  that  Captain  Nathan  Hodges — be  appointed  an  agent 
to  repair  to  the  General  Court  at  their  next  Session  and  the 
foregoing  petition  is  voted  to  be  laid  before  said  Court  and  re- 
quest the  agen*^  of  our  Representative  touching  said  petition — 
and  Doubt  not  but  Every  attention  will  be  paid  thereto  that  the 
Nature  of  our  case  Requires, — and  your  Petitioners  will  Ever 
pray 


Saiffi  Parker 
Asa  Parker 
Abiel  Knap 
Saiffi  Way 
Lem  Parker 
Robert  Barkley 


Solomon  Parker 
Jner 

Oliver  Hand 
Solomon  Parker 
Jonathan  Knap 
Job  Moulton 


william  Clough 
Evan  m'^Bean 
JoiP  Moulton 
Timothy  Olmstead 
Janson  Hodges 


[6-197]  \_Petitlon  of  JVo?i-Reside?its^  lySy.'] 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Hon'°  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  convened  at  Portsmouth  by  Adjournment — 

The  Petition  of  John  Penhallow  Samuel  Cutts  & John  Wen- 
dell Esq"^®  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  Others  Non  Resident 
Prop*^®  of  the  Township  of  Lyman  in  the  County  of  Grafton 
unto  3'our  Honours  humbly  shews — 

34 


498 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  this  Hon^®  Court  at  their  Sessions  in  Feb^  last  were 
pleased  to  remitt  to  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Township  all  their 
Taxes  for  a certain  Number  of  Years  by  aspecial  Resolve  for 
that  purpose — Which  Resolve  the  said  Selectmen  considered 
as  a total  Exemption  of  their  real  & personal  property  towards 
said  Taxes  in  Consideration  of  Services  done  by  y®  said  Inhabi- 
tants of  which  they  made  no  Charge  to  Government  and  as 
they  knew  not  how  to  make  their  proportionable  Abatement 
they  have  laid  the  whole  Taxes  on  the  Non  resident  Lands  w®^ 
is  considered  by  them  unjust  and  illegal — 

They  therefore  pray  that  this  Hon*®  Court  would  appoint  a 
Committee  to  determine  what  is  the  said  Inhabitants  Propor- 
tion, That  the  said  Non  residents  may  discharge  theirs,  of  said 
Taxes,  which  they  are  ready  to  do — and  otherways  to  relieve 
your  Petitioners  as  to  Justice  and  Equity  belong — And  as  in 
Duty  bound  they  will  ever  pray — 

John  Penhallow 
John  Wendell 
Sam*  Cutts 

Portsm®  Jan^  *7^7 


[6-200]  S^Petition  relative  to  a Ferry ^ lygo.^ 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

Lyman  Decern*'  13***  1790 

To  the  Hon*  General  Court  of  s'*  State  to  be  Convened  at  Con- 
cord on  the  first  Wednesday  of  January  next — 

Humbly  sheweth  the  Selectmen  of  Lyman  aforesaid, — that 
we  Your  Petitioners  & Remonstrants  are  informed  that  a Peti- 
tion has  been  prefered  to  Your  Honorable  Body  by  Jacob 
Hurd  of  Bath,  wherein  he  prayed  for  the  exclusive  previledge 
of  keeping  a Ferry  over  Connecticutt  River  at  the  Southwest- 
erly Corner  of  s'*  Lyman,  which  previledge  Your  Petitioners- 
pray  may  not  be  granted  to  s'*  Hurd,  and  as  it  appears  to  Your 
Petitioners  that  the  s'*  Towm  of  Lyman  have,  in  their  Corporate 
Capacity,  not  only  a Greater  claim  to  a Grant  of  the  s'*  Previ- 
ledge than  the  s^  Hurd,  but  a more  equitable  claim  than  any 
other  person,  or  Corporation,  we  pray  that  the  exclusive  previ- 
ledge of  opening  & forever  hereafter  keeping  a Ferry  over 
Connecticutt  River  at  the  place  mentioned  in  s'*  Hurds  afore- 
said petition,  & also  any  other  Ferry  or  Ferrys  against  any  part 
of  s^  Lyman  as  occasion  may  hereafter  require,  may  be  granted 
to  the  Selectmen  thereof  for  the  time  being,  for  the  use  & bene- 
fit of  s'*  Lyman  under  such  regulations  as  to  Your  Honors  may 
appear  most  proper,  and  Your  Petitioners  will  pray 

Joseph  Dexter  ) Selectmen  of 
Lemuel  Parker  j said  Lyman 


LYMAN. 


499 


[6-201]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  tax  Non-Residents^ 

//po.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

Lyman  March ^790 

To  the  Honorable  Senate,  and  the  Honorable  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  said  State,  to  be  conven’d  at  Concord  on  the 
first  Wednesday  of  June  next — 

Humbly  sheweth — the  Selectmen  of  said  Lyman  in  behalf 
of  said  Town, — 

that  the  Inhabitants,  therein,  are  few  in  number,  and  in  all 
probability  are  for  a long  time  to  come  likely  to  remain  so,  by 
reason  that  the  greatest  part  of  the  lands  in  Lyman  aforesaid 
are  owned  by  persons  living  out  of  this  Town,  and  many  of 
them  out  of  this  State, — 

that  by  the  exertions  of  Your  Petitioners,  the  lands  of  the 
Non-resident  Proprietors  are  continually  increasing  in  their  real 
value  ; and  your  petitioners  have  in  a particular  manner,  made, 
and  kept  in  repair.  Roads,  and  Bridges  in  said  Town,  beyond 
their  ability, — Therefore — 

Your  Petitioners  pray  Your  Honors  to  pass  an  Act  enabling 
the  Selectmen  of  Lyman,  for  the  time  being,  to  Assess,  and 
order  to  be  Collected,  three  pence  per  acre,  on  all  the  Lands 
of  the  Non-residents  of  said  Town,  for  the  Sole  purpose  of 
making,  and  repairing  the  highways  and  Bridges  therein,  or 
Grant  such  relief  in  the  premises  as  may  appear  reasonable, 
and  Your  Petitioners  will  pray 

Joseph  Dexter  ^ Selectmen  of  Lyman  in 
Samuel  Way  v behalf  and  at  the 
Lemuel  Parker]  request  of  said  Town 


[6-203]  [ Vote  of  To'W7t  relative  to  a Ferry ^ /yp/.] 

At  a legal  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Lyman  legally 
warned  and  held  this  15“'  day  of  March  1791  — 

Voted  to  give  to  Jacob  Hurd  Esq*"  all  the  right  title  claim 
Interest  or  demand  said  Inhabitants  have  to  a certain  ferry  in 
said  Lyman  which  ferry  the  said  Hurd  and  the  Selectmen  of 
said  Lyman  hath  petitioned' for  and  a hearing  to  be  had  on  said 
petitions  before  the  general  Court  on  the  third  Wednesday  of 
their  next  session 

Atst  Jon^  Moulton  town  Clerk 

15**^  March  1791 


500 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[6-204]  S^Petition  of  facob  Hurd  for  a Ferry  ^ ^793 '~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Grafton  ss — 

To  the  Hon^'®  General  Court  of  State  to  be  conven’d  at  Con- 
cord in  State  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  next — 

Humbly  Sheweth — Jacob  Hurd  that  he  owns  the  Land  Ad- 
joining Connecticut  River  in  the  Township  of  Lyman  in  s*^ 
County  where  Elij^'  Hall  now  lives  opposite  to  Jacob  Halls  in 
the  Township  of  Barnet  in  the  state  of  Vermont  at  w®*^  place  a 
public  Ferry  is  very  much  wanted  to  accomedate  the  public,  That 
the  s^  Hurd  petitioned  the  Gen^  Court  of  s*^  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire at  their  Sessions  at  Portsmouth  the  Winter  of  1789  or 
the  beginning  of  Jan^^  ^79^  for  a grant  of  a Ferry,  across  y® 
River  at  the  place  Aforem*^  on  which  petition  the  Gen^  Court 
ordered  a Day  of  hearing  in  common  form  that  the  order  of 
s*^  Court  was  complyd  with  by  your  Petitioner  and  a day  of 
hearing  was  had  upon  s*^  Petition  all  which  was  Attended  with 
considerable  Expence  to  him  that  on  the  Day  of  hearing  the 
Selectmen  of  s'^  Lyman  by  their  Agent  opposed  the  prayer  of 
3^our  Petitioner  being  granted  upon  which  the  Gen*  Court  pos- 
poned  the  hearing  to  their  next  Sessions  and  in  the  mean  Time 
a Town  Meeting  of  s^*  Lyman  was  warnd  & held  for  the  pur- 
pose when  it  was  Voted  & agreed  the  s*^  Town  relinquish  to 
said  Hurd  all  claim  to  a grant  of  s*^  Ferry  a Copy  of  which 
Vote  was  given  s'*  Hurd  and  he  again  Attended  s'*  Court  agree- 
able to  their  Order — but  the  s'*  Petition  was  at  that  time  unfor- 
tunately lost  or  mislay ed — therefore  he  prays  Your  Honors  to 
take  into  Consideration  the  said  premises  and  without  an}^  fur- 
ther hearing  Grant  Your  Petitioner  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  for- 
ever the  priviledge  of  keeping  a Ferry  across  s'*  River  extend- 
ing up  s'*  River  to  the  Northerly  line  of  s'*  Lyman  and  down  s'* 
River  about  one  Mile  to  the  first  Falls  in  s'*  Lyman  under  such 
Restrictions  and  Limitations  as  to  your  Honors  may  Appear 
proper  and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pra}^ — 

Dated  at  L^nnan  the  20**"  May  1793 — 

In  behalf  of 

Jacob  Hurd 
John  'Hurd 

[The  charter  for  the  privilege  asked  for  was  granted  by 
an  act  approved  June  19,  1793. — Ed.] 


LYME. 


501 


LYME. 

This  township  was  granted  July  8,  1761,  to  John  Thomp- 
son and  others.  Settlements  were  commenced  in  the  spring 
of  1764  by  William  and  John  Sloan  and  Walter  Fairfield. 
These  men  came  from  Connecticut,  and  named  the  town 
from  Lyme  in  that  state. 

Twenty-one  families  were  residing  in  the  town  in  1770, 
which,  however,  was  not  enough  to  comply  with  the  condi- 
tions of  the  grant,  which  was  in  reality  forfeited  in  1769  in 
consequence  thereof,  but  was  extended  on  the  21st  day  of 
February,  1770,  by  the  governor  and  council. 

Documents  relative  to  the  settlement  of  town  lines,  1780, 
may  be  found  in  Vol.  XI,  p.  723. 

The  name  of  the  town  is  written  “ Lime”  in  the  charter, 
and  that  erroneous  orthography  was  perpetuated  for  some 
years,  but  has  been  spelled  Lyme  for  the  last  fifty  or  more 
years. 


[6-20^][  TViomas  Sumner  relative  to  the  Town  Grants 
Province  of  New  Plampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq^  Captain  General  Gov- 
ernor & Commander  in  Cheif  in  and  over  his  Majestys  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  &c  in  Council. 

The  humble  Petition  and  Memorial  of  Thomas  Sumner  an 
Inhabitant  and  Proprietor  of  the  Township  of  Lime  in  the 
Province  aforesaid — Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  Memorialist  is  informed  that  Sundry  Persons  is 
about  to  Petition  your  Excellency  and  Honors  for  a Grant  of 
the  said  Township,  supposing  the  same  intirely  reverted  to  his 
Majesty  for  the  Nonperformance  of  the  Conditions  in  the  pres- 
ent Charter  Stipulated — Your  Memorialist  begs  leave  to  inform 
your  Excellency  & Honors,  that  there  are  now  Setled,  and 
setling  Fifteen  Families,  that  have  made  Considerable  Cultiva- 
tions on  their  respective  shares  in  said  Township,  and  many 
have  been  resident  thereon  Sundry  Years,  and  have  built  there- 
on— under  these  Circumstances  if  your  Excellency  should  grant 
the  said  Township  to  other  proprietors  without  having  regard 
to  the  present  Setlers,  it  might  prove  ruinous  to  them  respect- 
ively. Wherefore  he  humbly  Prays  your  Excellency  and 
Honors  that  such  a Grant  may  not  be  made,  without  some  No- 
tice given  to  the  Tenants  that  they  may  have  an  Opportunity  of 


502 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


giving  your  Excellency  a true  State  of  their  Tenure  and  Condi- 
tion— and  your  Memorialist  shall  ever  Pray — 

Portsm®  September  1768. 

Tho®  Sumner 

also  your  Memorialist  begs  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency 
that  there  is  a Small  Island  of  the  Contents  of  about  Thirty 
Acres,  nearly  opposite  the  South  West  corner  of  said  Lime, 
which  if  improved  and  Cultivated  might  be  of  beneficial  Con- 
venience to  the  Town — Wherefore  your  Mem°  would  humbly 
beg  a Grant  of  the  said  Island,  in  order  to  improve  it,  in  such 
manner  as  your  ExcelP'"  think  fit  to  grant  the  same. 

Tho®  Sumner 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  August,  1768,  “ordered  to  lay.” — Ed.] 


[6-206]  \_Co7iditio7i  of  the  Toivti^  Y/dc?.] 

Province  of  New  Hamps® 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*^  Captain  General, 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majestys 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  & Vice  Admiral  of  the  Same  in 
Council — 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Sumner  of  Lvme  in  behalf  of  him- 
self  and  the  Grantees  of  said  Township  unto  your  Excellency  & 
Hon^®  most  humbly  shews — 

That  Your  Petitioners  have  so  far  complied  with  the  Condi- 
tions of  the  Charter  of  said  Township  as  to  make  a Settlement 
of  twenty  one  of  said  Rights,  tho  with  great  Discouragem‘®  Ex- 
pence & Hardships,  being  Obliged  to  carry  & fetch  their  Pro- 
visions & Corn  from  Mills  forty  Miles  Distant  from  said  Town- 
ship ; and  have  now'  the  pleasing  Prospects  of  a fine  Settlement 
if  y*"  Excellency  & Honours  w'ill  indulge  them  with  a Contin- 
uance of  your  favours  by  Lengthning  out  the  Charter  of  said 
Township  for  three  Years  from  this  date,  in  which  time  we  do 
assure  Y'  Excellency  & Honours  that  this  Township  shall  be 
fully  Setled,  for  which  w'e  are  ready  to  Obligate  ourselves  and 
all  concerned — And  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray— 

Portsm®  Oct*'  25^^  1768 — 


Tho®  Sumner 


LYME. 


503 


\6-20^~\  \_Town  I?iventory^  ^773 ^cimes  o?tly  print  ed.~\ 


An  Inventory  of  the  Polls  and  Ratable  Estate  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Township  of  Lime — 


Wi™  Bell 
Wi™  Bell  JuiP 
John  Bell 
Andrew  Bell 
Elkanah  Billing 
John  Barron 
Nathan  Barron 
Jonathan  Child 
John  Chamberlin  of 
Thetford 
Sam”  Cary 
Tho®  Dunham 
Benj*^  Day  Jun*’ 
James  English 
Walter  Fairfield 
Walter  Fairfield  Juifi 
John  Fairfield 
Benj"  Grant 
Benj"  Grant  JuiF 
Peter  Grant 
Tho®  Gilbert 


Ebenz*’  Green 
Rubin  Grant 
Noah  Grant 
Titus  Goodell 
Natha”  Hews 
Natha”  Hews  JuiF 
Sam”  Hunt 
Edward  Howard 
Edward  Howard 
Jun' 

Daniel  Howard 
James  Hovey 
Daniel  Howard  Juifi 
Isaiah  Howard 
Jonath"  Hatch 
Richard  Limes 
Hezekiah  May 
Charles  Nelson 
W'"  Nelson 
Jacob  Orcutt 
Lemuel  Peake 


Isaac  Preston 
Tho®  Porter 
Elijah  Porter 
Calvin  Porter 
the  Wid“  Thede 
Phelps 

Luther  Porter 
Peter  Purkins 
JonatlV*  Rich 
Seth  Roe 
Moses  Stark 
W*"  Stark 
John  Stewart 
John  Sloan 
David  Sloan  ' 
Elx''  Shield 
Joseph  Scinner 
John  Scott 
Jesse  Strong 
Sam”  Smith 


The  above  and  Foregoing  is  True  Invontory  of  the  Polls  and 
Ratable  Estate  of  the  Township  of  Lime  Taken  April  the  26‘^ 
1773  By  us  the  Subscribers 


Walter  Fairfield 
Benjamin  Grant 
W"^'Bell 
Jonathan  Child 
Charles  Nelson 


Select- 
^ men 
of  Lime 


J 


the  Sum  Total  of  the  Whole  List  of  the  Township  of  Lime 

s d 

is  T63  : 9 : 8 


Lime  5*”  may  1773  then  waiter  fairfield  Jonathan  Child  & 
Charles  Nelson  personally  appeared  and  made  oath  that  the 
above  Inventory  was  faithfully  & impartially  made 

before  me  Israel  Morey  Justice  Peace 


504 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[6-208]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  the  Convention  at  Leb- 
anon^ 1777. 

at  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitents  of  the  town  of  Lime  Leagely 
worned  and  held  at  the  hous  of  Capt  Eben'’  Gravs  in  town 
on  tusday  y®  fourth  day  of  this  februery  1777 — 

and  the  Seventh  vote  in  meeting  was  that  the  Com‘®  of 
Safty  of  this  town  Should  Join  in  Conjuncieon  with  the  Com‘®® 
of  Safty  for  the  Severel  towns  in  this  County  at  Deecon  ord- 
ways  at  Lebenon  on  thursday  y®  thirteenth  day  of  this  Instant 
februry  to  meet  with  the  Courts  Com‘®  from  Exeter  and  are 
Likewise  Impowed  to  act  in  behalf  of  the  above  S*^  town  Rele- 
tive  to  there  Letter  of  the  tenth  Day  of  Janery  Last 

Walter  Fairfield  Comitees  Ch’^ 
John  Sloan  Clerk 

the  Names  of  the  Com‘® 

Decen  Joseph  Skiner 
m’’  waiter  fairfield 
m*"  thomas  porter 
John  Sloan 


[R.  2-235] 

A copy  of  the  intelligence  Received  in  Cohoss’ 

Lime  29*^  of  June  1776  these  to  acquaint  you  that  this  mo- 
ment I have  Received  intiligence  that  our  army  is  Drove  to 
Crown  point  the  News  Came  by  TvL  Chamberline  who  says  he 
saw  two  men  that  Came  With  General  Sullivan  over  the  Lake 
I hope  M''  Whitelaw  and  company  are  returned  if  Not  I fear 
they  are  intercepted  pray  send  by  the  bearer  any  intiligence 
you  may  have  otherwise,  also  your  advice  how  we  had  best 
proceed 


I am  in  haste  S'"  your  Humble  Ser* 
to  the  Honourable  Jacob  Bailey  Esq' 


Jonath.  Childs 


We  have  now  no  Doubt  of  the  truth  of  the  first  report  as 
within  therefore  we  pray  the  assistance  of  the  Lower  towns  by 
their  sending  the  Melitia  to  our  assistance 


James  Bailey 


Jacob  Bailey 


Chairman  of  the  Com.  of  Haved  and  Newbury 


LYME. 


505 


[R.  2-236]  \^Petition  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Gt‘een^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire. 

To  the  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  now 

Convened  at  Exeter,  in  the  State  aforesaid. 

Humbly  Sheweth  Your  Petitioner  That  he  entered  into  the 
Continental  Service  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1776  in  the  Ca- 
pacity of  a Captain  in  CoP  Timothy  Bedles  Regiment,  raised 
by  this  state  & soon  after  joined  the  Continental  Army  in  Can- 
ada— And  that  in  the  month  of  May  in  the  year  aforesaid  he 
was  made  a Captive  at  a place  called  the  Cedars  and  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  Enemy  as  a Hostage  by  Gen^  Arnold,  then  chief 
Commander  in  that  department, — That  after  about  ten  Months 
captivity,  your  Petitioner  was  permitted  to  return  home  on  his 
parole — That  in  the  year  1779  he  was  called  to  New  York  & 
then  permitted  to  return  still  on  parole  till  further  orders. — And 
that  now  he  is  liable  to  be  called  for  at  any  moment, — That 
your  petitioner  has  twice  made  application  to  Congress  in  order 
to  effect  his  exchange,  but  to  no  purpose, — That  your  petitioner, 
since  his  first  engagement,  has  received  no  more  than  the  nomi- 
nal sum  of  his  wages  in  paper  Currency,  and  has  nowhere  to 
look  for  redress  but  to  your  honors. — Your  Petitioner  would 
therefore  humbly  pray  your  Honors  to  take  his  circumstances 
under  your  wise  & serious  Consideration  & grant  him  such  re- 
lief as  other  officers  of  his  rank  have  been  allowed  to  receive. 

Exeter  i2‘'^  17S1  EbiP  Green 

[He  petitioned  again  the  following  November,  in  which 
he  stated  “ That  he  became  an  Hostage  by  order  of  Geffi 
Arnold  for  performance  of  the  Capitulation  Entered  into 
by  said  Arnold.”  And  again  in  June,  1783,  in  which  he 
stated  that  he  was  ‘‘detained  about  six  years  a prisoner  as 
hostage  before  exchanged.” — Ed.] 


[R.  2-239]  \_E^port  of  Committee  on  Soldie7‘s^  i'j86.'\ 

Your  Committee  on  the  petition  of  Plainfield,  Lebanon  &C 
beg  leave  to  report  as  their  opinion.  That  the  Town  of  Lime 
be  credited  for  three  Continental  men  Viz  Abner  Barlow  Hen- 
ry Tibbets  & James  Rosebrooks  of  Whitcomb’s  Corps,  and 
that  said  Town  be  allowed  the  sum  of  sixty  pounds  for  each  of 
said  men,  with  interest  thereof  on  the  settlement  of  the  ac- 


5o6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


count  the  state  has  against  said  Lime  for  deficiency  of  soldiers, 
which  is  submitted 

Josh*^  Wentworth  for  the  Committee. 

[The  report  was  accepted  and  adopted  by  the  legisla- 
ture.— Ed.] 

[From  Gen.  Chase’s  Papers.] 

Lime  May  13**^  ^777 

Sir  This  may  Certify  you  that  Stephen  Jinnings  & Eph- 
raim Jinnings  have  Enlisted  Into  the  Continental  Service  for 
the  Term  of  three  years  under  the  Command  of  Cap*  John 
House  Co**  Starks  Reg*  & have  bin  mustered  & paid  their  State 
Bounty  & Travil  money  by  me 

JoiP  Child  M : Master 

For  Cap*  Abel  Stephens 


Lime  March  22**  1781. 

S''  these  may  Certify  That  Ephraim  Dunlap  of  Plainfield 
and  Able  Parks  of  hanover  served  as  Sergent  in  my  Comp^  In 
the  one  months  service 

Col°  Jonath"  Chase  Charles  Nelson  Cap* 


[6-210]  S^Petition  for  Charter  for  a Ferry  ^ iy84.~\ 


Whereas  the  Ferry  on  Connecticut  River  opposite  to  the  north 
west  corner  of  Lime  in  the  county  of  Grafton  and  State  of  New 
Hampshire,  has  not  been  chartered  by  the  Government ; And 
whereas  said  Ferry  has  been  occupied  by  Nathan  Mann  of 
Thetford  west  of  said  River,  for  four  years  last  past,  who  has 
been  at  very  considerable  expence  in  providing  boats  and  keep- 
ing the  ways  thro’  his  own  farm  &c.  to  said  Ferry  in  repair; 
and  has  during  said  term,  given  such  attendance  to  said  Ferry 
as  to  gratify  and  serve  the  Public  in  the  best  manner  ; And 
whereas  ’tis  our  opinion  that  s^  Mann  is  the  most  suitable  per- 
son to  own  and  occupy  said  Ferry,  his  situation  and  circum- 
stances being  better  calculated  to  serve  the  public  in  this  re- 
spect than  any  other  person  whatsoever — We  the  Subscribers 
therefore  wish  said  Ferry  might  be  granted  to  the  said  Nathan 
Mann,  his  heirs,  &c. — Dated  October  S**'  AD  i7S4* 


Will  Simpson 
John  Mann 
Jon''  Sawyer 


John  Nelson 
Ebe’’  Green 
Amasa  Bugbee 


Benj^  Morey 
Edward  Howard  Jr 
Isaac  Perkins 


LYME. 


507 


Ichobod  Palmer 
Simeon  Avery 
Isaac  VV.  Stanton 
Ebenezer  Baldwin 
John  Clark 
Sam“‘^  Bell 
Tbyobry  Clark 
William  Tbomson 
Edward  Sawyer 
Samuel  Pbelps  jur 
Ichabod  Sawyer 
Reuben  Strong 
Tbomas  Sawyer 
Jonathan  Bixby 
Rob‘  Simpson 
Nathaniel  Marsh 
Samuel  Cole 
Asa  Tyler 
Jon*^  Darbe 
Clement  Emery 
Simeon  Darby 
Theodore  Dame 
Amos  Palmer 
Mathew  Sloan 
Asa  Preston 
Lemuel  Sturtevant 
Joseph  Skinner  Jif 


Peter  post 
Daniel  Tillotson  Jr 
Ichabod  Tucker 
James  English 
Elijah  Porter 
Peter  Perkins  Junr 
William  Porter 
Israel  Newton 
Thomas  Porter 
Calvin  Porter 
John  Bell 
John  Tomson 
Benjamin  Wood- 
worth 

Amherst  Coult 
Tylly  Howe 
Daniel  Fuller 
Tho®  Paine 
Jn”  Sloan 
Joseph  Sloan 
Oliver  farmer 
Lebeus  Washburn 
Edward  Ploward 
Joseph  Howard 
Jona  Franklin 
Zebedee  Cutting 
Benjamin  Howard 


Nathan  Edson 
Abel  Skinner 
Ephraim  Skinner 
Joseph  Skinner 
Tho®  porter  Junr 
Sam"  phelps 
Joel  phelps 
Seth  Waterman 
Abigay  Brotten 
ISaiah  Howard 
Daniel  Howard 
Enoch  Howard 
Uriah  Howard 
Voden  tucker 
Macy  Morey 
James  Morey 
Peter  Perkins 
Abraham  Perkins 
Eli  Carpenter 
David  Simpson 
Elias  Dewey 
John  Morey 
Nath"  Phelps 
Abr"'  Palmer 
James  Hobart 
Stephen  Lumbard 
Joseph  Flobart 


In  orford  thirty  nine  Siners 
In  lime  fifty  Siners 


[6-211]  \_Relative  to  Representatio7i^  etcP\ 

At  A Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Lime  Le- 
galley  Warned  and  Convened  at  the  house  of  Ebenezer  Green 
Esqr  on  Monday  the  25*"  of  Nov*"  and  Continued  by  adjourn- 
ment to  Monday  the  2"  of  Dec*"  Inst. — 

i®‘  Voted  that  the  phamphlet  Lately  published  by  the  Com- 
mitey  of  the  Towns  of  Lime  hanover  Leabonon  and  plainfield 
is  truely  Expresive  of  our  Sentiments  on  Representation  and 
the  Unconstituniol  Formation  and  proceedings  of  the  present 
Assembly — 

2"  Voted  that  we  Canot  Comply  with  the  presept  Issued  to 
this  town  in  Conjunction  with  5 other  Towns  for  Chusing  a 
Representative  for  the  Reasons  following  Viz — 

Because  the  present  plan  of  Representation  is  intirely  Incon- 
sistant  with  a free  State  where  Every  Corporate  Town  that  is 


5o8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


taxt  hath  an  undoubted  Right  to  act  for  themselves  in  Chusing 
a Member  for  the  Legislative  Bodey  because  the  Elections  are 
limited  to  persons  of  200  £ st.  of  Real  Estate  for  there 
Choiese  whereas  Every  Elector  in  free  States  is  Capable  of  be- 
ing Elected 

3*^  Voted  that  the  Clerk  be  directed  to  make  Returns  of  our 
Reasons  for  our  None  Compleyance  to  the  proposed  Assembley 
that  is  to  Sett  at  Exeter  on  the  thierd  wensday  of  Dec’’  Next 

4’y  Voted  that  we  Cannot  Compley  with  the  dierection  to  the 
Choiese  of  a Councelor  in  Manner  proposed  in  the  presept  for 
the  Reasons  folowing,  first  Because  that  in  Every  free  State  the 
people  have  an  undoubted  Right  to  there  Voice  in  the  Choise 
of  the  whole  Councle  Either  by  themselves  or  there  Represent- 
ative 

2^  Because  we  Cannot  See  aney  good  proposed  by  Confin- 
ning  the  Elector  to  Certain  Limmits  within  the  State  for  there 
Choiese — 

3^  Voted  that  the  Clerk  be  directed  to  Make  Return  of  our 
Reasons  for  Non  Comple}^ance  to  the  Committee  apointed  for 
the  Receiving  of  the  Votes  for  a Councelor  and  also  to  Enter  a 
protest  agains  the  Choiese 

Test  Jon^  Child  Town  Clerk 


[6-213]  \^Petition  for  the  Annexatioii  of  Grant’s  Island  to 

the  Town^  iy88h\ 

To  The  Hon  :ble  the  Gen^^  Court  of  N Hampshire  to  be  con- 
vened at  Concord  on  the  Tuesday  of  June  next — 

We  would  inform  the  Hon^*®  Court  that  there  is  an  Island 
leying  in  Connecticut  River  between  the  Town  of  Lyme  and 
the  western  Banks  of  said  River  containing  about  Twenty  five 
acres  of  Land, — Owned  by  Benjamin  Grant,  to  him  Chartered 
by  the  late  Gov*"  Wentworth  which  Island  we  Request  to  be 
annexed  to  the  Town  of  Lyme  for  the  following  Reasons  viz. 

Because  it  appears  to  us  reasonable  that  it  be  Taxed  it  being 
prinicapally  under  improvement  & 2^^  It  being  owned  by  an 
Inhabitant  of  the  Town  it  has  ever  been  Taxed  by  the  Select 
Men  but  not  Colleable  without  dificultv — on  account  of  its  not 
beloning  to  any  perticular  Town  therefore  we  pertition  that  the 
above  Island  (known  by  the  Name  of  Grant’s  Island)  be  an- 
nexed to  the  Town  of  Lyme,  or  some  other  Town  in  the  State 
as  the  Hoifi^  Court  in  their  Wisdom  shall  See  fit 
Lyme  May  31,  1 788 

Jonathan  Conant  \ Select  Men 
Jon®  Goodell  > of 
Amherst  Coult  j Lyme 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


509 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 

The  township  was  first  granted  by  the  government  of 
Massachusetts  to  Capt.  Samuel  King  and  others  who  were 
in  the  Canada  expedition  in  1690.  Some  of  the  grantees 
being  inhabitants  of  Salem,  Mass.,  the  township  was  called 
Salem-Canada,  until  it  was  re-granted  by  the  Masonian 
proprietors,  Dec.  5,  1753,  to  Benjamin  Lynde,  of  Salem, 
Mass.,  and  thirty  others,  and  named  Lynde  Borough.  (See 
Vol.  IX,  p.  536.)  It  was  incorporated  as  a town  April  23, 
1764.  Settlements  were  made  in  1750.  June  15,  1791,  a 
portion  was  taken  from  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  joined 
with  some  other  tracts,  and  incorporated  into  the  town  of 
Greenfield. 

The  town  lost  another  portion  of  territory  June  ii,  1796, 
the  same  being  annexed  to  Temple. 

Jan.  5,  1853,  the  north-easterly  portion  of  the  town  was 
set  off  and  annexed  to  Mont  Vernon. 

June  27,  1873,  some  territory  was  taken  from  the  south- 
erly side  of  the  town  and  annexed  to  Milford. 


[6-216]  \_Reco77imendation  for  a Coroner^  -^77^0 

At  A Legual  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough  on 
Thursday  f 29*^"  I77^ 

Then  the  Above  S*^  Town  Unanimously  Voted  that  M’’  Jo- 
seph Herrick  be  Recommended  to  the  General  Coart  of  this 
Colliny  ; as  A Person  worthy  to  be  Appointed  to  Receive  the 
Office  of  a Coroner — 

A Trew  Coppey  Attest  P’’ 

AikP  Fuller  T : Clerk 

Lyndeborough  August  y®  20^^^  ^77^ 


[6-217]  \^Reco7nme7idation fora  JMagistrate^ 

at  a Legal  Meeting  of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  on  the  26^^ 
Day  of  March  177S  they  Voted  to  Recomend  Cap*  Peter  Clark 
to  the  Great  and  General  Court  of  this  State  and  pray  he  may  be 
appoinded  a Justice  of  the  peace 

Lyndeborough  June  15**'  1779 

And'^  Fuller  J Select  Men 
Daniel  Gould  >•  of 
Jacob  watamen  ) Lyndeborough 


510 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[6-218]  \_Letter from  Benjamin  Lynde^  ^779 

Salem  12  Sepf  1779 — 
Sir 

Hearing  you  are  President  of  the  Council  in  your  State,  I take 
the  Fredom,  from  our  past  Acquaintace  & your  general  good 
Carracter ; to  Write  you,  and  Petition  to  your  Court,  for  taking 
oft'  a Part  of  Lyndbor®  Called  Beavins  Corner,  & annexing  it 
with  other  Lands,  into  a new  Parrish. 

There  are  Certain  Facts,  that  in  all  Justice  & reason  must 
greatly  Inftuence  in  such  Aft'airs  : — about  12  or  14  years  agoe, 
when  the  Inhabitants  Proposed  a second  Meetinghouse,  the  first 
being  never  finish’d,  a Place  was  agreed  on  near  to  the  then  In- 
habitants, but  as  those  who  were  at  Beavins  Corner  Tho’t  it  hard 
as  they  were  some  of  the  first  Setlers  to  have  it  Carryed  furth 
from  them.  It  was  at  last  Determin’d  only  to  move  it  a litle 
nearer,  tho  in  the  Same  Lott,  to  Favour  the  Inhabitants  in  that 
part — and  Placed  it  puerly  to  oblige  them — tho  far  from  the 
Midle  & against  the  minds  of  the  Majority  of  the  Proprietors, 
whose  Interest  lead  to  Place  it  further  Northwest,  as  the  Town 
by  Charter  was  enlarged  West  & N West, — so  that  an  Altera- 
tion now,  would  be  Attended  with  great  Detriment  & an  Heavy 
Charge — 

I am  Apt  to  think,  Hon*^  Sir,  Your  own  Observation,  I am 
Sure  mine  does.  Shows  That  the  multiplying  Parishes  naturaly 
tends  to  Impoverish  the  Clergy  ; breaks  the  Lhiion  of  Society’s, 
and  when  the  times  are  so  Difficult,  will  Disolve  all  but  the 
richest  Parishes — 

Such  are  the  Heavy  Taxes  now.  That  one  had  as  good  Give 
away  poor  Lands  as  pay  the  Taxes — especially  with  you,  who- 
allow  no  right  of  Redemption,  as  is  practised  in  other  States — 
This  will  Encourage  all  Tresspassors  who  for  less  than  a ShilP, 
can  purchase  an  acre  of  Land 

I ask  the  Favor  of  your  Showing  this  to  Hon^^  Jacob  Abbot 
Esq^,  of  your  Board — & if  the  Facts  are  such  as  in  Justice  must 
Stop  the  Proceeding,  I Trust  he  will  Join  in  it — 

I am  S'"  with  great  Respects  to  Your  Selfe  & M*”®  Weare — 
Your  HoiY  Most  Obed^  Serv* 

Benj'^  Lynde 

Addressed  to  Hon.  Meshach  Weare. 


[6—219]  \_Betition  fo7'  a Division  of  the  Town^  J/c^O.] 

To  tlie  Hon'’^®  The  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  Con- 
vened at  Exeter  State  of  New  Hampshire  June  1780 

The  prayer  of  vour  Humble  Petitioners  sheweth  That  your 
Petitioners  living  in  Lyndborough  and  in  the  Easterly  part  of 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


3II 

the  Town  and  upwards  of  four  miles  from  the  meeting  House 
And  badly  situated  on  account  of  a Road  to  Said  Lyndborough 
Meeting  House  It  being  a verry  large  and  rough  Hill  or  Moun- 
tain to  rise  which  never  will  admit  of  a Comfortable  road  either 
to  pass  or  repass  to  or  from  Said  Meeting  House  and  Cannot  be 
avoided  by  us,  And  as  we  live  but  a few  rods  from  Amherst 
line  and  but  about  Two  miles  from  And  verry  good  road  to  the 
place  where  the  People  in  the  Northwesterly  part  of  the  Town 
of  Amherst  have  agreed  to  Set  their  Meeting  House,  And  as  we 
might  be  so  well  Acommodated  by  being  Setoff  from  the  Town 
of  Lyndborough  and  annexed  with  the  northwesterly  part  of 
the  Town  of  Amherst  and  formed  into  a Town — Therefore  we 
with  the  Inhabitants  in  the  Northwesterly  part  of  Said  Amherst 
who  are  owners  of  great  part  of  the  lands  in  this  part  ofLynde- 
borough  Pray  That  you  would  be  pleased  to  set  off  from  said 
Lyndeborough  half  a mile  in  wedth  at  New  Boston  line  from 
thence  Continuing  that  half  mile  in  wedth  Adjoining  to  Said 
Amherst  about  four  miles  and  an  half  Southerly  on  Said  Am- 
herst line  to  a Pitchpine  tree  marched  which  is  the  Southwest 
Corner  bounds  mentioned  in  the  Petition  for  a parrish  or  Town 
preferred  by  the  Inhabitants  in  the  northwesterly  part  of  Am- 
herst and  pray  that  the  above  mentioned  half  mile  may  be  an- 
nexed with  the  Northwest  part  of  said  Amherst  and  formed  into 
a Town  And  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  Bound  Shall  ever 
pray— 

Lyndeborough  June  17S0 

Inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough 

his 

Benjamin  -|-  Curtice 

mark 

Samuel  Town 

John  Case 

Inhabitants  in  the  Northwesterly  part  of  Amherst  Owners  of 
Land  in  the  within  mentioned  part  of  Lyndborough 

Josiah  Dodge 

Stephen  Peabody 


[6-221]  Remonst7'ance  to  fo7'egoing  Petition^ 

To  the  Great  and  General  Court  or  assembly  of  the  State  of 

New  Hampshire — 

The  Petition  of  the  Select  men  and  other  Freeholders  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  humbly  Sheweth 
Whereas  we  Suppose  there  will  be  a petition  prefer'^  to  this 
Honorable  Court  by  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  North 


512 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


west  part  of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  praying  that  they  may 
be  Sett  off  from  Said  Lyndeborough  as  a Town  by  them  Selves 
we  your  Petitioners  pray  their  Petition  may  not  be  granted  for 
the  following  Reasons  (viz) 

Reason  hrsttheTown  being  Laid  out  in  Such  a form,  Should 
Such  a piece  of  the  Town  be  taken  off  as  is  Requested  by  the 
Said  Northwest  part  of  this  Town  it  will  leave  the  Remainder 
of  Said  town  in  Such  a form  that  it  Cannot  be  Supposed  that  it 
will  long  Exist  as  a Town — 

2^^  Should  they  be  Contented  to  Continue  in  Such  an  Illcon- 
venant  form  there  is  so  much  mountainous  Land  that  will  not 
admit  of  Settlement  it  will  make  it  Very  burthensom  for  us  to 
Support  the  Gospel  which  we  have  Regularly  Settled  with 
us — 

as  we  have  with  Zeal  and  Unity  born  our  parts  in  a Long 
and  Distressing  War  we  humbly  pray  the  Court  as  the  Parent 
of  the  State  to  protect  us  in  Every  fit  way  that  lays  in  their 
power  from  Every  Unnessary  Division  and  Expence  untill  we 
have  More  fully  Discharge  our  proportion  of  the  publick 
Debt — 

Resting  in  the  wisdom  and  Integerity  of  the  Honorable  Court 
we  Subscribe  our  Selves  your  Humble  petitioners  who  as  in 
Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray — 

Lyndeborough  December  12  1783 

Ephraim  Putnam  ^ Selectmen 
Jeremiah  Carleton  ^ of 

Jonas  Kidder  ) Lyndeborough 


Peter  Clark 
Francis  Epes 
Levi  Spaulding 
Joseph  Batchelder 
NatlF  Batchelder 
Stephen  Richardson 
Jonathan  Whitte- 
more 

Aaron  Whittemore 
Benj^  Pun  chard 
James  Punchard 
Samuel  Whittemore 
Nathanel  Hutchin- 
son 

John  Clark 


William  Punchard 
Ebenezer  gardner 
Robert  Badger 
Jacob  Wellman 
William  Barron 
Daniel  Gould 
John  ordway 
Eleazar  Woodward 
Solomon  Cram 
John  Chamberlin 
Samuel  Hutchason 
Jonathan  Pearson 
Amos  Pearson 
Walter  Ross 
Reuben  Batchelder 


John  Kidder 
James  Boutwell 
Adam  Johnson 
Nathaniel  Phelps 
Samuell  Hutchinson 
And'^  Fuller 
Sam  Chamberlin 
Jacob  Cram 
Adam  Johnson  Juff 
Jacob  Flynn 
Aaron  Lewis 
John  Rowe 
Josah  Dutton 
William  Dutten 


[The  following  are  on  another  petition  of  same  date  and 
nature : — Ed.] 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


513 


Samuel  Huston 
Beniamin  Dutton 
Ithamar  Woodward 


Richard  Butler 
Jacob  Dutton 
John  Stiles 


moses  Lewis 
John  Woodward 
Andrew  Creesy 


[6-223]  \_Another  Remonstrance^  1^84^^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Sennate  and  House  of  Representatjives 
In  General  Court  assembled  17S4 

The  Town  of  Lyndeborough  humbly  Sheweth  Agreeable  to 
an  Order  of  the  Honourable  the  Sennate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentitives  to  us  directed  upon  a petition  of  a Number  of  the  In- 
habitance  of  the  westerly  part  of  this  Town  and  others  praying 
they  may  be  Set  oft'  as  a Town  by  them  Selves — 

The  Town  of  Lyndborough  at  a Legol  Meeting  have  taken 
Said  petition  under  their  Consideration  and  beg  leave  to  oft'er 
Some  Reasons  why  the  prayer  of  Said  petitioners  Should  not 
be  granted — 

As  to  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  being  Very  Larg  as  is  Set 
forth  in  Said  petition  we  would  Inform  the  Hon^  Court  that  it 
was  at  first  Laid  out  but  Six  miles  Square  Except  a little  Cor- 
ner that  New  Boston  took  oft' on  the  North  East  Corner,  after 
wards  there  was  a large  piece  of  the  Town  taken  oft' from  the 
South  part  of  Said  Town  and  Added  to  Wilton,  by  Joseph 
Blanchard  Esq^  who  was  agent  for  the  Masonian  proprietors, 
which  was  a great  dammage  to  this  Town,  for  the  piece  that 
was  added  to  this  Town  on  the  north  part  of  it,  in  Lieu  of  it, 
we  Cannot  Expect  to  hold  to  this  Town  when  they  Request  to 
be  Set  oft' to  Frances-town,  it  being  but  about  a mile  from  Said 
Frances-town  IMeeting  House — 

the  South  East  part  of  this  Town  by  Reason  of  their  distance 
from  the  Meeting  House  petitioned  the  General  Court  in  the 
Year  1779  to  be  taken  oft' from  this  Town  and  together  with 
Duxbery  School  Farm  and  part  of  Amharst  to  be  Incorporated 
a distinct  Town  by  them  Selves,  but  the  Hono’^  Court  Viewing 
the  plan  of  this  Town  and  Considering  its  Circumstances  Re- 
solved that  the  Request  of  Said  petitioners  ought  not  to  be 
granted — 

As  to  the  present  petition  before  the  Honourable  Court  their 
Request  appears  to  us  So  Extravigant  and  unreasonable  that  it 
is  a Matter  of  wonder  to  us  that  Men  So  Zealous  for  the  publick 
worship  as  the  petitioners  Express  them  Selves,  Should  So  fail 
in  the  Second  branch  of  Duty  (viz)  Love  to  their  Neighbour, 
for  it  appears  to  us  that  their  petition  Cannot  be  granted  with- 
out the  Distruction  and  aniolation  of  the  Town  as  vour  Hon- 

35 


514 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ours  may  See  by  the  plan  of  that  part  of  that  Town  that  will  be 
left,  for  not  only  the  unpresidented  form  it  will  Iv  in.  but  the 
large  quantity'  of  Land  that  lays  Easterly  of  the  Meeting  House 
that  never  will  admit  of  Settlement,  will  have  a tendancy  to 
break  up  the  Town,  and  farthermore  the  Southeasterly  part  of 
the  Town  have  almost  as  far  to  travil  to  the  ^leetinsf  House  as 
a great  part  of  the  petitioners  now  have,  likewise  the  Xorth 
Easterly  part  of  the  Town  in  which  Corner  of  the  Town  and 
East  of  the  line  the  petitioners  have  drew  a Crost  the  Town, 
and  behind  the  Said  ^fountain,  there  is  about  thirtv  familves 
that  have  to  go  over  Said  ^lountain  to  Meeting  where  it  is 
much  More  Steeper  and  Rougher  than  where  the  petitioners 
Cross  it,  likewise  your  Honnours  will  See  by  the  Plan  what  a 
Cituation  the  Southwest  Corner  will  be  left  in. — 

Upon  the  whole  we  think  needless  to  trouble  your  Honours 
with  anv  thing  that  is  lengthev  in  this  wav.  the  true  State  of  the 
Matter  will  we  trust  appear  So  plain  by  the  plans  Exhibeted  to 
your  Honnours  and  what  mav  be  Said  on  the  Subiect  on  the 
Day  of  hearing,  that  we  humblv  Refer  the  Matter  to  vour  wise 
Consideration  and  Paternal  Care  of  us  trusting  that  the  Matter 
will  be  Settled  agreable  to  Justice  and  Equity — 

permit  us  farther  to  add  that  we  could  wish  to  Accommo- 
date the  owners  and  few  Inhabitants  of  the  Said  Slip  of  Land 
agreeable  to  their  plan  and  make  that  the  Center  of  a fine  Town 
bounded  out  as  they  please  Could  it  be  done  without  So  great 
Expence  as  the  Ruin  of  this  Town,  likewise  we  think  and  take 
it  to  be  the  minds  of  the  Town  and  that  they  are  heartilv  will- 
ing to  allow  to  their  Breatheren  the  petitioners  that  belong  to 
this  Town  a full  Equalitv  of  priviledge  as  to  the  place  of  ]Meet- 
ing  bv  Gloving  the  Meeting  House,  to  the  Center,  or  Some 
other  wav  that  mav  be  thought  Best,  but  we  Cannot  be  Recon- 
siled  to  the  thought  of  haveing  the  Town  torn  to  pieces  accord- 
ing to  the  Request  of  the  petitioners,  there  fore  it  is  the  prayer 
of  this  Town  that  the  praver  of  the  petitioners  may  not  be 
granted,  for  which  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  who  as  in  Duty 
bound  will  Ever  pray 

Levi  Spaulding  Signed  by  the  Committee 

Ephraim  Putnam  in  behalf  of  the  Town 

Peter  Clark  * of  Lyn deborough 


[6-224]  \_Statement fro?Ji  the  Petitioners^  iy84J\ 

Whereas  the  General  Court  at  the  Request  of  us  the  Sub- 
scribers Was  pleased  to  Appoint  a Committee  of  the  Court  to 
come  and  view  the  Situation  and  Circumstances  of  the  Town  of 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


515 


Lyndeborough  The  Honorable  Committee  having  prosecuted 
the  busines  of  their  Commisions  earnistly  Recommended  to  each 
party  in  Said  Town  to  agree  on  Sum  terms  of  Accommodation 
among  them  Selves  for  the  Present  term  and  as  we  wish  always 
to  pay  a due  Defterance  to  the  Wise  and  a Proper  regard  to 
their  Counsels  we  are  disposed  to  adhear  to  their  advice,  and 
notwithstanding  we  are  Consious  to  our  Selves  we  have  asked 
for  nothing  more  then  reason  will  dictate  to  be  right,  the  Natu- 
ral Rights  of  men  Require,  and  the  previleges  which  the  Con- 
stitution of  our  State  admits  of,  yet  for  the  Sake  of  making 
every  thing  as  easy  as  posable  to  the  minds  of  our  brethrin  who 
are  in  opposition  to  us  we  Consent  to  the  following  proposals 
(viz)  we  the  Subscribers  being  the  Major  part  of  the  Petitioners 
for  a Town  on  thewestardly  part  of  Said  Town  of  Lyndeborough 
do  agree  and  consent  that  provided  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Lynde- 
borough who  Dwell  on  the  Eastwardly  Side  of  the  mountain  at 
a Legual  Town  meeting  will  agree  and  pass  a Vote  that  they 
Will  no  more  oppose  the  Incorporation  of  the  Westardly  part 
of  vSaid  Town  together  with  the  Slip  &c  into  a Town  or  Parrish 
as  the  Court  Shall  See  fit  agreable  to  their  Petition  and  the  Plan 
theirwith  Exhibeted  to  the  Court  we  will  withdraw  our  Petition 
now  in  Court,  and  will  meet  with  them  as  usual  and  will  Pay 
our  full  proportion  of  the  yearly  Salary  of  our  minister  for  the 
Term  of  Nine  months  next  insuing  from  the  Date  here  of,  or 
otherwise  if  it  Should  be  most  agreable  to  our  Breathren  in  the 
Eastardly  Part  of  Said  Town  and  to  our  Rev*^  Paster  for  him  to 
Com  and  Preach  with  us  as  many  Sabaths  in  a year  as  will  be 
our  proportionable  Part  according  to  what  we  pay  towards  his 
yearly  Sallary  we  will  consent  to  remain  togeather  as  we  are  for 
the  Term  of  one  year  and  Nine  months  or  otherwise  if  it  Shall 
be  most  agreeable  to  our  above  Said  Bretheran  of  Said  Town 
we  will  Draw  our  mony  which  we  Pay  towards  the  yearly  Sal- 
lary of  our  Rev*"^  Paster  and  we  will  Consent  to  remain  to- 
geather as  we  are  for  the  Term  of  two  years  and  Nine  months 
Next  to  Com  from  the  Date  hereof  we  do  not  mean  however 
that  if  by  reason  of  Som  adverse  Providanc  it  Should  becom 
Necessary  to  Buld  another  meeting  House  or  any  Extraordiary 
Expenc  Should  arise  in  the  Town  within  Said  Term  which  we 
trust  will  not  be  the  Case,  we  Say  we  do  not  hereby  oblidge  our 
Selves  to  Such  Expence 

Lyndeborough  December  7^^  — 


Stephen  Burnam 
Samuel  Stevins 
Isaac  Day 
James  Burnam 
Amos  Whitemor 


John  Savage 
Joseph  Herrick 
Joseph  Elinwood  jr 
John  Reynolds 
John  Taplain 


Asahel  Stiles 
Stephen  Gould 
Samuel  Blasdel 
George  Pearson 
Joseph  Elinwood 


5i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


David  Avril 
Jon^  Butler 
William  Taylor 
Robert  Day 
Nathaniel  Burnam 
Joshua  Stiles 


John  Smith 
Philip  Fletcher 
John  Grant 
Samuel  Punchard 
Hesekiah  Dunckly 
Samuel  Punchard  jr 


William  Parker 
Nathaniel  Batchelder 
Thomas  Carleton 
Joseph  Bickford 
Abraham  Dinsmore 
Ephraim  Abbot 


^TAtt  a Legual  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  on  the  twenty  Seventh  Day 
of  December  A : D : 1784  the  fore  going  Proposals  was  laid  be 
fore  the  Town  but  not  accepted 

a True  Copy  Atts  p*'  Ephraim  Putnam  T : Clerk 


[6-235]  \_A'i^other  Statement  of  the  Situation^  iy84.~\ 

State  of  New  Hamshire 

To  the  Hon^  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  In  Gen- 
eral Court  Assembled — 

Humbly  sheweth  the  Petition  of  Us  the  Subscribers  being 
partly  Inhabitants  of  the  westerly  part  of  Lyndborough  and 
partly  proprietors  and  Inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough  Strip  so 
Called  and  owners  of  Land  on  the  East  of  Peterbourough — 

Whereas  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  is  large  in  its  Circum- 
ference and  lyeth  in  such  form  and  Situation  as  renders  it  Ex- 
ceeding difficult  for  the  Inhabitants  to  meet  together  for  the 
purpose  of  Public  & Social  worship  : and  on  all  other  Oca- 
sions,  the  Distance  from  the  abode  of  your  petitioners  to  the 
meeting  House  in  said  Town  is  very  great:  But  that  is  not  all, 
the  Land  in  that  part  is  very  mountainous  and  Rough — there  is 
a hill  Called  Lyndeborough  Mountain  lying  Southwardly  & 
Northwardly  Cross  the  Town — Several  Miles  in  Length  by 
reason  of  which  the  Communication  of  the  East  & West  parts 
are  rendered  exceeding  difficult — there  not  being  but  one  place 
that  is  passable  over  said  mountain  for  about  four  miles — and 
the  rise  and  fall  on  each  side  is  very  long  and  Steep — and  there 
is  as  much  as  fifty  Seven  families  on  the  West  Side  of  said 
mountain  in  said  Town  and  on  Said  Strip,  who  have  no  way 
to  get  to  Meeting  only  in  that  one  place  or  way  (excepting  a 
few)  : and  we  think  we  can  Safely  say  the  greatest  part  of  said 
families  are  as  much  as  five  Miles  from  the  Meeting  House  and 
a Considerable  Number  are  more  than  Six  and  some  more  than 
Seven  miles  distant  and  many  more  will  be  as  much  as  Seven 
when  the  unimproved  Lands  are  Setled  which  we  have  reason 
to  think  would  soon  be,  could  that  place  be  accommodated  as 
Towns  in  General  are — But  the  present  situation  of  that  part  of 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


517 


said  Town  is  such  that  it  discourages  the  Settlement  thereof : 
and  those  who  are  already  settled  there  are  almost  worn  out 
with  their  difficulties  in  geting  to  meeting  and  Attending  other 
public  and  Necessary  Business, — Ever  sience  they-  been  there 
they  have  always  lived  in  hope  that  they  should  be  better  ac- 
commodated when  they  should  increase  to  such  a Number  as 
to  be  Able  to  support  a Gospel  Minister  they  suppose  they 
have  the  greatest  reason  to  expect  it  Considering  the  situation 
of  the  Town,  and  they  always  Understood  that  it  was  the  Opin- 
ion of  every  one  that  was  well  aquainted  therewith  that  a Divi- 
sion would  take  place — : It  is  but  a small  part  of  Holy  Time 
Your  petitioners  can  Attend  public  worship,  and  our  women 
and  Children  many  of  them  are  almost  Strangers  in  the  meeting 
House,  we  hope  we  can  truly  say  not  altogether  for  want  of 
love  to  the  Divine  Ordinances,  But  are  obliged  to  Neglect  Pub- 
lic worship  from  their  inability  to  Attend  thro  the  Difficulties 
above  mentioned — We  do  not  wish  to  Injure  the  Town  of 
Lyndebourough,  it  is  not  for  any  decension  in  principles  or 
manners  that  we  would  seperate  h'om  them,  we  have  hitherto 
lived  in  peace  & harmoney  as  a Town  : and  we  wish  ever  to 
Cultivate  and  Maintain  such  a Temper  of  Mind  toward  each 
other — But  we  cannot  in  our  Situation  enjoy  these  Rights  and 
previledges  which  we  think  belong  to  a Christian  people — and 
we  are  fully  perswaded  in  our  own  minds  and  Consiences  that 
Considering  our  Circumstances  which  we  beleive  are  almost  if 
not  quite  unparalled  in  the  whole  state,  a Separation  would  be 
far  more  beneficial  to  us  and  to  our  posterity  than  the  disad- 
vantage can  be  to  the  other  part  of  the  Town — and  your  Peti- 
tioners are  of  humble  Opinion,  that  on  the  Westerly  Side  of 
said  mountain  in  said  Lyndborough  and  said  Strip  of  Land  to- 
gether with  one  Mile  Square  of  the  Sosiety  land  (or  what  is 
called  the  undivided  Land)  with  the  east  Range  of  Lots  in 
Peterborough  (that  is)  four  Miles  from  the  North  line — all  which 
is  Contained  in  a Plan  herewith  prefered  to  your  Honors — your 
Petitioners  are  of  Opinion  would  be  sufficient  for  a small 
Town,  and  as  the  Town  of  Peterborough  is  very  large  we  un- 
derstand not  less  than  Six  Miles  Square,  your  Petitioners  think 
it  would  not  be  prejudicial  to  that  Town  if  said  east  Range  of 
Lots  Should  be  Set  off  to  Accommodate  your  Petitioners  and 
those  who  may  hereafter  improve  and  dwell  on  said  Lots — 
Wherefore  Your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray  Your  Honors  to 
take  their  Case  with  all  the  Difficulties  attending  it,  into  Your 
Consideration  and  Paternal  Care,  and  if  in  your  wisdom  and 
Judgment  you  should  find  it  Consistant  with  Justice  and  Equi- 
ty to  accommodate  them  by  makeing  tliem  a Distinct  Town, 
(which  we  are  in  full  Confidence  your  Hon”  will  Do)  Then 
the  prayer  of  your  petitioners  is  that  your  Honors  Will  Incor- 


5i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


porate  into  a Town  & Body  Politic  all  those  who  Dwell  within 
the  Limets  and  bounds  with  the  Lands  agreably  to  the  Plan 
herewith  Committed — Granting  to  them  all  the  Rights  Previ- 
ledges  & Emunities  Equal  to  Other  Towns  In  said  State — for 
which  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

If  the  Representation  of  our  Affair  herein  Given  should  not 
be  satisfactory  to  the  Honourable  Court ; we  would  humbly 
Ask  the  feavoLir  that  a Committe  might  be  Appointed  by  the 
Hon^  Court  to  Come  and  View  our  Situation  and  make 
Repourt  thereof  and  we  the  Subscribers  will  pay  the  Charge 
thereof  if  the  Hoff®  Court  Sees  fit  we  should 


Lyndeborough  ] 

Amos  VVhittemor 
John  Savage 
Thomas  Carlton 
Nathael  Burnam 
JoiP  Butler 
William  Blunt 
Willard  Leind 
Joseph  Ellinwood 
William  Taylor 
Joshua  Stiles 
Samuel  Stevens 
Isaac  Day 
John  Aarchar 
Joseph  Herrick 
Stephen  Burnam 
George  Person 


ay  17H— 

Robert  Day 
Joseph  Batchelder 
John  Reynolds 
James  Burnam 
Joshua  Holt  Ju'' 
Philip  fletcher 
Ephraim  Abbott 
Isaac  Foster 
Jn°  Grant 
Edmund  Bickford 
Joseph  Bickford 
Peter  Russell 
Simeon  Fletcher 
Samuel  Punchard 
Samuel  Punchard  J 
John  Smith 


Hezekiah  Dunckle 
Samuel  Blasdel 
William  Parker 
Stephen  goold 
David  Averil 
Asahel  Stiles 
Joseph  Person 
Barachias  Holt 
Abiel  Abbot 
Joseph  Ellinwood 
John  taplein 
Asa  Dutton 
Samuel  Cudworth 
Abraham  Dinsmore 
Daniel  Herrick 
Joshua  Holt 


[6-227]  \_Report  of  a Co77tmittee  of  Co72fere7tce^  zyeSJ".] 

We  the  Subscribers  being  a commette  chosen  by  the  Peti- 
tioners of  the  North  westerly  part  of  the  Town  of  Lynde- 
borough to  meet  a commette  Chosen  by  the  Town  of  Lynde- 
borough to  see  if  the  too  Commettes  in  behalf  of  the  parties 
could  come  into  any  method  of  agreement  for  the  preasant 
agreable  to  the  advice  of  Hoff  Commettee  from  the  General 
Court  conserning  A petition  witch  now  lies  in  the  General 
Court  the  prayer  of  witch  petition  is  that  the  s^  North  west 
part  together  with  the  strip  &cc  be  incorporated  into  a town 
We  the  Comette  do  say  in  Behalf  of  the  petitioners  that  we  are 
willing  to  Remain  together  with  the  Town  for  the  Term  of 
three  years  from  the  7 day  of  Next  September  17S5  Provided 
we  draw  four  fifths  of  what  money  we  pay  toward  our  Revn*^ 
Ministers  Sallery  in  money  or  preaching  By  a Vote  of  the 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


519 


Town — Nevertheless  it  is  to  be  allways  understood  that  the 
H on^  Court  Commette  at  this  Session  Report  that  the  petition- 
ers of  the  s*^  Northwesterly  part  &cc  be  set  off  Either  as  a town 
or  parish  as  they  shall  think  Best  at  the  end  of  the  Term  we 
have  prefixed  and  also  that  the  Hon^  Court  pass  a Vote  that 
our  agreement  with  the  Easterly  part  of  s^  town  be  not  altered 
by  the  town  within  said  term,  Furthermore  that  if  by  reason 
of  sume  advers  providence  it  should  be  come  Necessary  to 
build  another  Meeting  house  or  any  Extraordinery  Expence 
should  arise  in  the  town  within  said  term  witch  we  trust  will 
not  be  the  Case  we  sa}"  we  do  not  hearby  Oblige  our  selves  to 
.such  Expence — 

Lyndeborough  Feb'"  2^  17S5 

Tn®  Savage  ) ^ 

T I Ti  • 1 r Commete 
Joseph  Herrick  j 


£6-230]  \_Remo?ist7'ance  to  a Divisio7i  of  the  Touun.'\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Councel  & House  of  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Assem- 
bled— 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Lyndeborough 
Ey  their  Committe — Humbly  sheweth — 

That  Whereas  the  town  has  been  served  with  a Copy  of  a 
petition  of  a number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town  Request- 
ing that  they  with  a particular  part  of  the  town  of  Lynde- 
borough therein  Mentioned  May  be  set  of  & Incorporated  with 
Duxbury  School  Farm  Mileslip  with  a part  of  Amherst  into  a 
Town  &c  &c  And  Calling  upon  the  town  of  Lyndeborough  to 
Appear  & shew  Reasons  If  any  they  have  why  the  prayer  of 
said  petition  should  not  be  Granted  At  their  Next  sessions  on 
the  second  Thursday  Whereupon  the  town  being  Legallv  As- 
sembled Voted  & Choose  a Committe  to  Appear  & Assign 
Reasons  Accordingly — 

We  therefore  the  Committe  beg  leave  in  the  Name  & behalf 
of  the  Town  Humbly  to  Represent  the  following  Reasons  why 
the  prayer  of  s^  petition  should  not  be  Granted  & that  part  of 
Lyndeborough  therein  Mentioned  set  of  & Annexed  to  Dux- 
bury School  farm  &c. 

That  in  the  year  1765  When  the  Town  was  Small  but  few 
Inhabitants  About  40  families  in  all  when  we  Attempted  to 
build  a Meeting  house  & settle  the  Gospel  among  us — Fre- 
quently when  Town  Meetings  were  Called  & we  attempted  to 
Agree  upon  a Particular  Spot  of  Ground  for  the  Meeting  house 


520 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


to  Stand  upon — They  Voted  Against  Our  proceedings  & threw 
in  Protests  offering  the  Following  Reasons — Viz  That  the  place 
Voted  is  not  Commodious  for  building  a Meeting  upon — And 
that  they  were  not  able  to  Support  a Minister — And  in  1766 
after  the  Meeting  house  Spot  Was  fixed  upon  for  their  Accom- 
modation they  Cordially  Agreed  with  the  other  Inhabitants  to 
proceed  in  building  a Meeting  house  & settling  the  Gospel  in 
Town — And  Accordingly  the  town  did  Unanimously  proceed 
in  1768  to  build  a Meeting  house  on  s*^  Spot  to  Accommodate 
s*^  petitioners  in  particular  & to  settle  the  Gospel  in  s*^  Town 
which  was  done  with  Great  Uninimity  & which  still  Contin- 
ues— And  as  s*^  Meeting  house  stands  at  a Great  distance  from 
the  Center  of  the  Town  Not  More  than  two  Miles  from  the  East 
line  Measuring  from  the  Meeting  house  And  at  least  five  miles 
from  the  west  line  of  s*^  town — And  the  Meeting  house  has  been 
handsomely  & Decently  finished  at  the  no  Small  Cost  & charge 
of  the  Towm,  And  as  the  Town  is  settling  fast  in  the  North 
North  west,  West,  & South,  west  part  some  of  the  Inhabitants 
have  now'  the  Travil  of  4,  5,  6 & 7 Miles  as  their  Roads  Run 
to  Attend  Publick  Worship  ; And  If  s^  part  of  Lyndeborough 
Sh*^  be  set  of  such  Inhabitants  from  s*^  parts  of  the  Towm  will 
Immediately  Call  for  a Remove  of  the  Meeting  house  or  to  be 
set  off'  by  themselves  into  Seperate  Parishes  to  the  Destruction 
of  the  Town  Whereas  the  Cost  & Charge  of  Building  & fur- 
nishing the  Meeting  house  & settling  the  Gospel  is  hardly  Got 
Over  by  the  Inhabitants  in  General  as  they  ai*e  Now  Compact 
together — iVltho  there  has  been  the  Greatest  harmony  & Con- 
cord thro’  the  Whole  Charge  Moreover  that  from  the  North 
East  of  the  JSIeeting  house  to  the  East  line  of  the  Town  the 
Land  is  poor  & not  Capable  of  making  Settlements  & in  all 
Probability  wdll  Never  be  Improved  And  as  from  this  Circum- 
stance It  wdll  fully  Appear  that  the  Meeting  house  was  settled 
in  its  Present  Place  to  Accommodate  s*^  Petitioners  Your  Hon*"* 
will  Easily  See  the  Unreasonableness  of  their  being  set  ofi'  from 
the  Town — 

Again  that  in  the  Northwest  part  of  the  Towm  there  is  a 
Large  Range  of  Mountains  About  twm  Miles  from  the  Meeting 
house  And  a Gi'eat  Number  of  Inhabitants  Now'  settled  on  the 
West  & North  w'est  part  of  the  Tow'n  beyond  those  Mountains 
And  in  all  probability  the  whole  Tract  will  be  settled  in  the 
Course  of  a few  Years,  when  it  is  Likely  they  w'ill  be  set  off 
by  Themselves — And  If  the  Prayer  of  the  Aforesaid  Petitioners 
Sh*^  be  Granted  & the  Land  therein  Mentioned  be  set  off  And 
in  Process  of  Time  the  w'est  Part  of  the  Tow'n  likew'ise  It  will 
leave  a Poor  Parish  indeed  such  an  One  as  Cannot  by  any 
means  Support  the  Gospel  & Other  Necessary  Charges 

We  therefore  Submit  these  Considerations  to  Your  Hoff* 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


521 


Wisdom  to  Do  therein  as  to  Justice  Shall  Appertain  And  as  in 
Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Levi  Spaulding 
Benjamin  Cram  >-  Committe 
David  Badger  ) 

[The  project  did  not  succeed. — Ed.] 


[6-220]  \^Return  of  Ratable  Polls^ 

To  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

The  Number  of  Polls  from  twenty  one  Years  Old  and  up- 
ward paying  Taxes  in  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  is  one  Hun- 
dred and  Sixty  Six — 

Lyndeborough  December  12  17S3 

Ephraim  Putnam  ] Select  men 
Jeremiah  Carleton  [ of 
Jonas  Kidder  ) Lyndeborough 


[R.  2-240]  [^Soldier’s  Order ^ 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Sir  please  to  pay  to  Cap‘  Levi  Spaulding  what  is  due  to 
Me  for  My  Service  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States 

Lyndeborough y 27*^  i7S4-  Benj*  Smith 

This  Certefieth  that  the  above  Order  was  given  to  Cap*  Levi 
Spaulding  by  Benj*  Smith 

Ephraim  Putnam  Select  men 
Jonas  Kidder  [ of 
Joseph  Herrick  ) Lyndeborough 


[R.  2-241]  [^Soldier^s  Bounty?^ 

The  Bounty  advanced  by  Lyndeborough  to  William  Shaw  a 
private  i®*  Regiment  is  seven  pounds  six  shillings  & six  pence, 
which  has  been  deducted  from  his  depreciation 

Ex^  per  Josiah  Gilman  Ju^ 


522 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


\_Lyndeborough  Men  in  JFirst  N.  H.  Regiment 

[Nathaniel  Batchelder  entered  March  20,  1777;  discharged 
March,  1780. 

Samuel  Barrens  entered  May  i,  1778  ; discharged  May 
20,  1780. 

Reuben  Dunnel  entered  March,  1777  ; discharged  March, 

1780. 

Israel  Hale  entered  Feb.  26,  1781  ; discharged  October, 

1781. 

John  Meintire  entered  March  8,  1777  ; discharged  March 
20,  1780. 

Moses  Ordway  entered  March  8,  1780;  discharged  De- 
cember, 1781. 

John  Putnam  entered  February,  1781  ; discharged  De- 
cember, 1781. 

John  Rowe  entered  April  15,  1777  ; discharged , 

1780. 

Benjamin  Smith  entered  March  14,  1777;  discharged 
December,  1781. 

David  Smith  entered  March  14,  1777  ; discharged  Jan.  i, 
1780. 

William  Shaw,  entered  July,  1777  ; discharged  February, 
1778. 

Edward  Spaulding  entered  February,  1781  ; discharged 
December,  1781. 

Joseph  Wilson  entered  Jan.  15,  1771  ; discharged  De- 
cember, 1781.] 


[6-226]  \_Relative  to  Military  Affairs^ 

To  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire 

The  Petition  of  the  subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
New-Ipswich,  Peterborough  Temple,  Lyndeborough,  Wilton, 
Mason,  Peterboro’-Slip,  Hancock  & Society-land  in  behalf  of 
our-selves  and  the  Towns  we  belong  to 

Humbly  sheweth 

That  by  a vote  of  the  General  Court,  passed  the  last  sessions 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  above  mentioned  were  constituted 
the  23*^  Regiment  of  Militia  : and  that  the  Towns  of  Rindge, 
Jaffrey,  Dublin,  Packersfield,  Marlborough  and  Fitz  william 
were  constituted  the  i2‘^  Regiment,  retaining  the  Number  which 
they  had,  when  connected  with  the  greater  part  of  the  Towns 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


523 


first  mentioned  : which  we  conceive  to  be  injurious,  inverting 
the  order  which  ought  to  have  taken  place  in  their  numbers. 
And  presuming  that  the  General  Court  w'ere  not  rightly  in- 
formed, as  to  the  circumstances  of  those  two  Regiments,  beg 
leave  to  lay  before  vour  Honours  some  facts,  in  order  to  pro- 
cure an  alteration  in  their  numbers,  which  we  think  ought  to 
take  place  for  the  following  reasons  : — The  nine  petitioning 
Towns  are  the  oldest  by  about  twenty  years,  taking  their  age 
upon  an  average  ; Cap‘  Woolson  of  New-Ipswich  having  a 
Commission  in  the  Reg^  Dated  in  the  year  1744 1 before 
there  was  a single  Inhabitant  in  any  of  the  six  Towns  above 
named  ; and  many  years  before  a commission  was  given  to  any 
person  within  their  limits. — By  means  of  being  united  with 
those  Towns  we  lost  our  number  from  6 to  13  ; therefore  ought 
not  to  lose  from  12  to  23  by  dissolving  the  connection. — By 
comparing  their  numbers  and  wealth  it  will  appear  that  we  pay 
JC49-15  to  the  Thousand  : they  but  <£32-13^- : that  there  are  elev- 
en hundred  rateable  polls  in  this  Regiment ; and  little  more  than 
six  hundred  in  that : — That  there  are  four  field  officers  in  this 
Reg*  who  will  think  them-selvcs  degraded  by  renewing  their 
Commission  in  the  23**  Reg*;  and  only  one  in  that  (&  that  one 
a second  MajO . 

Thus,  Gentlemen,  whatever  we  substitute  as  a Criterion  to 
determine  the  right  of  precedence  ; whether  Age,  Numbers, 
wealth,  residence  of  field  officers  or  whatever  else  we  can  con- 
cieve  to  operate  in  the  minds  of  the  Legislature,  the  preference 
is  most  clearly  on  our  side.  And  as  we  would  not  be  vainly 
ambitious  for  honour,  to  which  we  had  no  title  ; so  neither 
would  we  be  thought  so  mean  as  tamely  to  submit  by  which  we 
are  degraded  below  our  Inferiors.  We  therefore  apply  to  your 
Honours  as  the  Guardians  of  our  Rights,  humbly  praying  for  a 
reconsideration  of  the  vote  complained  of ; and  that  we  may  be 
permitted  to  retain  the  original  number. 

And  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c 

Jaif^  27*^  1785 

Ephraim  Putnam  ] Selectmen 

Jonas  Kidder  j of  Lyndeboro’ 


[6-328]  \_NeJiemiah  Rand  reconunertded  for  a Magistrate, 

1786  A 


To  his  Excellency  the  President,  the  Honourable  the  Council, 
within  and  for  the  State  of  Nevv-Hampshire  — 

Most  Humbly  Sheweth. 

that  We  Freeholders  in  Lyndeborough  within  the  Same  State, 
devoted  with  the  warmest  Sentiments  of  Duty  and  Afiection  to 


524 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Your  Excellency  and  Honours  in  your  Exalted  and  distinguish- 
ed Characters,  inviolably  Attached  to  our  present  Constitution, 
Convinced  by  the  most  Affecting  proofs  of  your  paternal  Re- 
gard unceasing  and  benevolent  desire  to  Promote  the  happiness 
of  the  faithful  Subjects  of  this  State  however  distant — Beg  leave 
to  Suggest,  that  in  our  Humble  Opinion  M’’ Nehemiah  Rand  of 
our  said  Lyndeborough  is  A Gentleman,  a man  of  real  Worth 
and  Merit,  a very  Useful  Member  of  Society  ; that  his  Useful- 
ness to  the  Public  in  General,  and  to  this  Town  in  particular 
would  be  Considerably  Augmented  and  increased  if  he  might 
have  an  appointment  in  the  Commission  of  Peace 
Therefore  earnestly  pray  that  it  may  be  So — 

And  Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 
dated  August  1786 


And'^  Fuller 
Beni‘S  Jones 
william  Thompson 
John  Robbe 
Thomas  Carlton 
James  Burnam 
Nab  Burnam 
vSamuel  Stevens 
John  thopson 
George  Person 
Robert  Day 


Benj‘‘  Cram 
John  Reynolds 
Stephen  Burnam 
Richard  towne 
David  Stratton 
Joseph  Ellinwood 
Moses  Stiles 
Sam  Chamberlin 
kneeland  Abbot 
John  Savage 
Samuel  Blasdel 


Stephen  Gould 
David  Gould 
William  Parker 
David  Averil 
Robert  Badger 
Philip  Fletcher 
melchisedek  Cofee 
John  Kidder 
James  Boutwell 
Jn°  Herrick 


[6-229]  \_Relative  to  'warning  Elisha  Wilkins  out  of  To'wn^ 

1788.'] 


To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Ham- 
shire  assembled  at  portsmouth  in  Said  State  31  Day  of  Janu- 
ary 178S — 

The  Petition  of  Nehemiah  Rand  of  Lyndeborough  in  the 
County  of  Hilsborough  in  Said  State  in  behalf  of  Said  Town, 
Humble  Sheweth  whereas  Elisha  wilkins  with  his  wife  and 
family  Came  into  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  in  the  year  i773 
and  by  the  Selectmen  then  beaing  according  to  the  Law  of  the 
then  province  did  Issue  a warrant  to  the  Constable  of  Said  town 
For  that  year  to  warn  Said  wilkins  with  his  wife  & familey  to 
Depairt  the  town  which  warrant  was  Served  by  the  Constable 
and  returned  to  the  office  of  the  Clarke  of  the  Sessions  in  Hils- 
boroLi  County  as  the  Law  Directed  as  will  more  fully  appeare 
by  the  affidavit  to  accompany  this  petition  and  whereas  when 
the  then  Clark  (viz  Stephen  Holland  Esq)  Left  the  office  and 
another  was  appointed  (viz  Robert  Fletcher  Esq)  upon  the  Re- 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


525 


movel  of  the  papers  belonging  to  Said  office  the  Said  warrant 
with  maney  other  papers  was  Lost  and  no  Record  of  the  Same 
to  be  found  whereby  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  is  Likely  to 
becom  Chargebal  wdth  the  maintan®  of  the  Said  wilkins  & wife 
and  family. 

therefore  your  petitioner  in  behalf  of  said  Lyndeborough 
Humbly  pray  your  Honors  that  the  Said  warrant  and  Service 
and  returning  may  be  Good  & Established  So  that  the  town  of 
Lyndeborough  may  have  the  Benifit  of  the  Laws  of  this  State 
in  Such  Cases  made  and  provided  or  otherwise  as  your  Honors 
in  your  wisdom  Shall  think  meet  and  Fit  with  Regard  to  the 
primises  and  your  petitiner  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Nehemiah  Rand 


[6-215]  \^Cofmnittee  report  relative  to  foregoing. 

The  Committee  on  the  petition  from  the  Town  of  Lyndbor- 
ough  beg  Leave  to  report  .That  in  the  latter  end  of  May  1773 
The  Then  select  men  of  Lyndborough  made  out  a warrant  in 
the  Following  words  viz 

province  of  New  Hampshire  Hilsborough  ss 

(seal)  To  James  Boutwell  Constable  for  the  Town  of  Lynd- 
borough in  said  County  Greeting 

Whereas  there  is  a person  come  of  Late  with  his  wife  to  so- 
journ or  Dwell  in  This  Town  & last  came  from  wilton  in  this 
County  viz  Elisha  wdlkins  & wife  & are  not  by  Law  Inhabitants 
of  this  Town  therefore  are  Likely  to  become  too  chargeable  to 
the  Town  unless  Measures  are  taken  to  prevent  the  same. 

pursuant  therefore  to  the  Laws  of  this  province  in  That  Case 
made  & provided  you  are  hereby  required  in  his  majestys  name 
Instantly  to  warn  the  said  Elisha  wilkins  and  wife  to  depart  & 
Leave  this  Town  within  fourteen  Days  from  this  Date  hereof 
fail  not  & make  return  of  this  warrant  with  your  proceedings 
thereon  to  the  Clerk  of  his  majestys  Court  of  Gen^  sessions  of 
the  peace  next  to  be  holden  at  Amherst  Given  under  our  hands 
& seals  the  L)ay  of  May  i773 

Signed  by  the  Select  men 

Your  Committee  also  find  that  the  said  warning  was  served 
by  the  said  James  Boutw’ell  on  the  said  wdlkins  and  wife  about 
the  first  of  June  1773  and  sent  by  him  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Ses- 
sion by  Andrew  Fuller  Esqr  with  money  to  pay  for  Recording 
the  same  & the  said  Fuller  Delivered  the  said  warning  & 

o 

money  to  the  then  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  at  the  sessions  of  said 


526 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Court  in  July  i773  & the  said  warrant  cannot  now  be  found  in 
the  Clerks  office 

Therefore  your  Committee  agree  to  report  that  upon  any 
tryal  respecting  the  setlement  of  the  said  wilkins  & wife  the 
Town  of  Lyndborough  or  any  others  concerned  may  offer  in 
Evidence  the  before  recited  waiTant  which  shall  be  deemed  as 
good  and  Legal  Evidence  as  the  original  would  have  been  if 
the  same  had  not  been  Lost  and  shall  be  considered  as  Dated 
the  Last  Day  of  May  signed  by  the  then  select  men  and  served 
on  the  first  Day  of  June  i773 

Francis  Worcester  for  the  Committee 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  13,  1788,  the  foregoing  report  was 
adopted.  The  original  report  is  in  the  hand-writing  of 
John  Sullivan. — Ed.] 


[6-231]  S^Petition  for  the  Setthig  Off  of  the  north-west  part 

of  the  Pown^  J/po.] 


State  of  Newhampshire  Hillsborough  ss 

To  the  Honorable  Generali  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire 


The  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Society  Land  So  Called 
in  the  state  and  County  Aforesaid  humbly  Shews — that  your 
Petitioners  Living  in  S^^  Society  Labour  under  many  Disad- 
vantages and  inconveniences  By  not  Being  in  a Corporated 
Town  And  Cannot  Enjoy  Such  Priviledges  as  to  Render  their 
Circumstance  Agreeable — that  it  appears  to  your  Petitioners 
that  the  Said  Society  will  never  Be  incorporated  into  a town 
the  Situation  thereof  Being  So  inconvenient  for  the  Same — 
Wherefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly  Prays  that  that  North 
west  Part  of  the  town  of  Lyndborough  of  which  the  inhabitants 
hath  for  Some  years  past  Ben  Desirous  of  Being  Better  accom- 
idated  May  Be  Annexed  to  that  part  of  the  Society  Land  Lying 
South  and  Southerly  of  the  Crotched  mountain  with  Lynde- 
borough  Slip  and  incorporated  into  a town  therewith  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray,  &c 


Societyland  April 

Benjamin  Pollard 
Stephen  Gould 
Alexander  Parker 
Robert  Rogers 
Samuel  Farmer 


ye  2^th 

william  Glover 
Duglass  Robison 
William  M®Crae 
EbeiF  Farrington 
Thomas  Addison 


John  Waugh 
Pyam  Herrick 
Samuel  Cudworth 
Samuel  Weeks 
Oliver  Holt 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


527 


William  Wilson 
Robert  Alexander 
Thomas  Atkison 
John  Chase 


Timothy  Cudworth 
Jonathan  Gillis 
James  Ramsey 
Robert  Waugh 


John  M'^master 
Charles  Cavander 
John  Ramsey 


[6-232]  [^Inhabitants  of  Lyndehorough  Gore  for  an  Incor- 
poration^ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  to  be  Convened  at  Concord  in  New  Hamp- 
shire on  the  first  Wednesday  ofjune  Next 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  a gore  of  Land 
lying  between  Lyndehorough  and  Peterborough  known  by  the 
Name  of  Lyndehorough  Gore,  Humbly  Shews — 

That  your  Petitioners  have  been  encorouged  to  Settle  in  this 
Mountainous  part  of  this  State  in  Expectation  of  being  incor- 
porated with  some  Adjacent  Inhabitants  into  a body  Politic 
with  the  same  priviledges  that  other  Towns  enjoy — that  your 
petitioners  and  famileys  Consist  of  Forty  one  Souls — and  live 
Seven  miles  or  upward  from  Lyndborough  Meeting  house,  and 
in  Addition  to  the  badness  of  Travel  generally  Attending  New 
Settlements  we  have  to  Cross  the  Petit  Manadinack  Mountain  to 
Attend  Public  worship — that  we  have  not  power  to  raise  any 
money  for  laying  out  and  repairing  highways  or  Schooling  our 
Children — that  public  Instruction  in  the  great  duties  of  life  and 
the  education  of  our  Children  we  Esteem  as  a duty  and  Privi- 
ledge,  and  think  it  of  great  importance  either  in  a Religious  or 
political  View,  which  we  are  by  our  local  Situation  deprived 
of,  and  must  so  remain  or  quit  our  habitation  unless  releived  by 
the  Hon'^'*^  General  Court,  that,  That  part  of  Lyndehorough 
that  is  Adjacent  to  us  lies  west  of  the  Petit  Monadinock  Moun- 
tains, and  that  part  of  the  Society  land  that  lays  South  of  the 
Croched  Mountain  and  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  Contoocook 
Ri  ver  can  never  be  Accommodated  in  any  other  way  than  by  be- 
ing incorporated  together  with  us  and  one  Range  of  Lots  in  the 
Town  of  Peterborough,  and  that  with  them  we  think  ourselves 
Able  to  make  every  Necessary  provision  for  the  enjoyment  of 
Priviledges  & Advantages  that  other  Towns  enjoy — 

Therefore  we  pray  that  your  Honours  would  incorporate  us 
with  the  Inhabitants  above  mentioned  into  a body  Politic  with 
the  same  priviledges  & Emmunities  that  are  enjoyed  by  other 
Towns  in  this  State — or  Grant  us  Releife  as  vou  in  Your  wis- 
dom shall  See  fit — and  Your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will 
ever  pray — 

Lyndehorough  Gore  May  25*^  ^79® — 


528 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Batchelder 
Joshua  Holt 
Peter  Pevey 
Joseph  Severnce 


thomas  Pevey 
Nathan  Lovejoy 
John  Fletcher 
William  Blunt 


John  Holt 
John  Dane 
Timothy  Holt 


[6-233]  \_Consent  of  Peterborough  to  foregoing^ 

At  a Legal  Town  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitant  of  Peterborough 
upon  the  18  day  of  October  1790 — 

Voted  to  grant  to  the  persons  petitioning  the  General  Court 
the  east  Range  of  Peterborough  in  Case  they  obtain  from 
Lyndeborough  and  other  places  what  they  have  petitioned  for 
to  be  incorporated  into  a Town — 

Peterborough  October  18  day  1790 — 

A true  Coppy 

Attest  Thomas  Steele  Town  Clerk 
of  Peterboro 


[6-236]  [^Peport  of  a Cofnmittee  on  the  foregoing, 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Court  at  their  Ses- 
sion in  June  1790^  lo  consider  of  the  petition  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Northwesterly  part  of  Lyndbor®  &c  and  to  view  the  situ- 
ation of  s*^  Inhabitants  report  as  their  Opinion 

That  the  prayer  thereof  be  so  far  granted,  as  that  there  be  a 
Town  incorporated  beginning  at  a Beach  Tree  on  the  South 
East  corner  of  Lyndbor®  addition  so  called  and  so  on  the  East 
& North  bounds  of  said  addition  unto  the  Southwest  corner  of 
Francestown  then  Northwardly  on  the  line  between  Frances- 
town  and  the  Society  to  a heap  of  stones  on  the  crotched  Moun- 
tains so  called,  then  westwardly  to  Contocook  River,  then  up 
said  River  till  it  strike  Peterbor®  North  line  then  Eastwardly  on 
said  line  till  it  come  to  the  West  side  of  the  East  range  of  said 
Town  then  Southwardly  on  said  line  till  it  strike  Temple 
Mountain  so  called  then  Eastwardly  on  said  Mountain  till  it 
come  to  the  west  line  of  Lot  N°  50  in  Lyndbor®  near  the  middle 
of  s'^  Lot  thence  North  by  s*^  line  to  the  South  West  corner  of 
Lot  N°  63  in  Lyndbor®  thence  on  the  West  line  of  Lots  N°  63, 
64  & 81  to  the  Southwest  of  Lot  N°  82  thence  by  the  South  & 
East  lines  of  s'^  Lot  to  the  Southwest  corner  of  Lot  98  then  on 
the  South  & East  lines  of  s'^  Lot  to  the  South  West  corner  of 
Lot  102  then  on  the  South  & East  line  of  s^  Lot  and  the  East 
line  of  Lot  N°  115  unto  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Lot  N°  121  thence 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


529 


on  the  S & E line  of  s*^  Lot  to  the  N.  E.  corner  thereof  thence 
on  the  line  between  the  land  belonging  to  Capt  Huesten  & 
Lieut  Whittemore  to  the  N W corner  of  the  Lot  belonging  to 
said  Hueston,  thence  East  on  Huestons  land  to  the  bounds 
first  mentioned — 


Which  is  submitted 
A true  copy 


By  Robert  Wallace  for  the  Court 
Attest  Joseph  Pearson  Sec^ 


[The  town  opposed  the  separation  by  the  line  recom- 
mended in  the  foregoing  report. — Ed.] 


£6-246]  \_Proceedings  of  a Tow7i- Meeting  relative  to  the 

foregohig^  lygi 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
and  for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

The  Memorial  of  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  humbly  Shew- 
eth — 

Agreeable  to  the  Order  of  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House 
of  Representitives  upon  a petition  prefered  to  them  last  June  by 
a Number  of  the  Inhabitance  of  the  westerly  part  of  this  Town 
and  Others,  praying  to  be  Set  oft' from  this  Town  and  Incorpo- 
rated into  a Town  by  themselves — 

The  Town  at  their  Meeting  on  the  27  Day  of  December  In- 
stant took  the  Matter  into  their  Consideration  agreeable  to  an 
Article  in  the  warrant  for  Said  Meeting  and  Voted  as  follows 
(viz)  — 

that  it  appears  Evident  to  us  that  if  More  of  this  Town 
Should  be  Set  oft' to  the  Petitioners  than  we  Voted  to  them  at  a 
Meeting  of  this  Town  last  April  it  will  Intirely  break  up  the 
Town  and  that  it  Cannot  Subsist  as  Such,  after  So  large  a part 
of  it  is  taken  oft'. 

2'y  therefore  Voted  that  the  Prayer  of  this  Town  be  presented 
to  the  Honourable  Court  at  their  next  Sessions  at  Concord  on 
the  first  Wednesday  of  January  next  by  our  Member  in  Said 
Court,  praying  that  the  prayer  of  the  Petitioners  may  not  be 
granted,  farther  than  this  Town  Voted  them  at  the  aforesaid 
Meeting — 

3*^  Voted  that  in  Case  the  Honourable  Courts  Committee 
Should  Report  dift'erent  from  the  aforesaid  Vote  of  this  Town, 
or  Report  that  more  of  Said  Town  be  Set  off  to  Said  Petition- 
ers than  Said  Town  have  Voted,  and  if  the  Reasons  that  may 

36 


530 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


be  Offered  Should  not  be  Sufficient  to  Convince  the  Honorable 
Court  that  this  Town  have  Voted  off  to  the  Petitioners  as  much 
of  Said  Town  as  is  Consistent  with  Reason  and  Justice,  then 
Voted  to  pray  the  Honourable  Court  to  grant  us  a Committee 
upon  the  Expence  of  the  Town  to  take  a View  of  that  part  of 
Said  Town  Called  the  Old  Town,  that  the  Situation  of  the 
whole  Town  with  all  the  Circumstances  that  attend  it  may  be 
taken  into  Consideration  as  the  late  Honourable  Committee  by 
the  Order  of  the  Honourable  Court  were  Confined  to  View  the 
Situations  of  the  Petitioners  onlv — 

Chose  Peter  Clark  Levi  Spaulding  Esq’',  and  Lieut  Jere- 
miah Carleton  a Committee  to  Assign  Reasons  to  the  Hoff 
Court  why  the  prayer  of  the  Petitioners  Should  not  be  Grant- 
ed— 

A true  Copy  of  the  Vote  of  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  at 
their  Meeting  aforesaid 

attest  pr  Ephraim  Putnam  Town  Clerk 

Agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Vote  the  aforesaid  Committee  beg" 
leave  to  Inform  the  Honourable  Court  of  the  Difficulties  and 
perplexityes  (like  the  present)  that  have  attended  the  Town  of 
Lyndborough  in  years  past,  as,  also,  the  present  Circum- 
stances— and  the  Consequences  that  will  follow.  Should  the 
prayer  of  the  present  Petitioners  be  granted — 

And  in  the  first  place  as  to  the  Town  being  Very  large  as  Set 
forth  in  the  present  petitioner,  it  was  laid  out  Six  Miles  Square 
Except  at  the  North  East  Corner  where  New  Boston  Corner 
Came  in  about  two  miles  Said  New  Boston  holding  its  Square 
Corner  being  the  prior  grant,  afterwards  there  was  a larg  part 
of  this  Town  taken  of  and  added  to  Wilton  as  may  be  Seen  by 
the  Plan  of  Lyndborough)  which  was  a great  Dammage  to  this 
Town,  for  the  Land  Added  on  the  west  and  North  did  by  no 
Means  Compensate  for  what  was  taken  ofi'  by  Wilton,  for  the 
Addition  on  the  North  lay  So  in  with  FrancevStown  that  they 
were  Very  Sure  of  having  it  annexed  to  them  Sooner  or  later, 
accordingly  Francestown  Set  their  Meeting  House  within  about 
one  Mile  of  Said  Addition,  and  in  the  Year  1777  Petitioned  the 
Town  of  Lvndborough  to  have  the  Said  Addition  Set  off  to 
them,  which  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  then  Refused  to  do — 
however  the  Land  then  not  having  many  Inhabitants  Settled 
upon  it,  and  Francestown  being  Very  Sure  that  when  it  had, 
they  would  be  for  Coming  to  them,  let  the  Matter  Rest  untill 
last  Spring. — 

Likewise  Duxbery  School  Farm  with  part  of  Amherst  and 
the  Inhabitants  on  the  South  East  part  of  this  Town  in  the  year 
1777  petitioned  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  and  also  the  General 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


531 


Court  to  be  Incorporated  into  a Town  by  them  Selves,  but  the 
Honourable  Court  Viewing  the  Cituation  of  Lyndborough  Re- 
solved that  the  prayer  of  Said  petition  Ought  not  to  be  grant- 
ed— 

the  Town  then  . had  Rest  from  an  Invasion  untill  the  Year 
1774  when  Lvndborough  Slip  So  Called  and  Some  of  the  In- 
habitants of  die  westerly  part  of  this  Town  Petitioned  the 
Town,  also  the  General  Court,  to  be  Set  off  by  the  Same  lines 
the  present  petition  Sets  forth,  and  they  had  a Committee  from 
the  General  Court,  who  after  viewing  the  Situation  of  the  Town 
Reported  Unanimously  that  the  prayer  of  Said  Petition  be  not 
granted — 

thus  Matters  Rested  untill  last  Spring  at  which  time  the  In- 
habitants that  were  Settled  on  the  four  Lots  in  the  Southwest 
Corner  of  this  Town  petitioned  to  be  Set  off  to  Temple  likewise 
the  present  Petitioners  to  be  Set  off  by  the  Same  lines  as  here- 
tofore as  may  appear  by  their  petition  now  before  the  Honour- 
able Court — likewise  the  Inhabitants  on  the  before  Mentioned 
part  of  this  Town  lying  next  to  Francestown,  again  Petitioned 
together  with  the  Town  of  Francestown  to  have  Said  land  with 
the  Inhabitants  thereon  Annexed  to  Said  Town. — 

The  Town  being  thus  Harass  with  petitions  from  So  many 
quarters  at  their  Meeting  Chose  a Committee  to  Consider  of 
the  Matter,  and  Report  to  the  Town  which  they  did  according- 
ly, which  Report  was  accepted  by  the  Town,  Said  Report  be- 
ing had  may  more  fully  appear — 

The  next  Movement  was  made  by  those  petitioners  who  wish 
to  be  annexed  to  Francestown  together  with  the  Selectmen  of 
Said  Town  wdio  again  petitioned  the  Town  of  Lyndborough  at 
their  meeting  held  on  the  30^*'  Day  of  August  last  to  be  Set  off 
to  Francestown  by  Such  bounds  as  Set  forth  in  their  petition 
now  before  the  Hono''  Court — the  prayer  of  which  Petition  the 
Town  at  Said  Meeting  Voted  to  grant — 

Thus  by  the  before  going  Memorial  the  Honourable  Court 
may  See  how  tliis  Town  has  been  Harassed — and  to  prevent 
any  farther  Difficultyes  in  this  way  the  Town  has  Voted  off  to 
the  Several  Petitioners  all  the  Land  that  was  added  on  to  this 
Town  to  make  up  for  what  Wilton  took  from  us  amounting  to 
above  Six  Thousand  Acres  and  have  Reduced  the  Town  to  the 
bigness  of  about  five  Miles  and  a half  one  way  and  about  five 
Miles  and  one  quarter  the  other.  Excepting  the  South  East 
Corner  wdiich  brings  the  Meeting  House  near  the  Senter  and 
Should  w'e  be  permitted  to  Reap  So  much  benefit  from  the 
Charter  heretofore  granted  to  this  town  as  to  only  Suffer  the 
loss  of  what  Wilton  took  from  us  and  In  joy  only  what  thev  left 
us  without  any  part  of  the  additions  we  might  possibly  remain 
as  a Small  Town,  but  if  the  lines  that  the  Town  has  prescribed 


4 


532 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


for  them  Selves  and  wish  to  hold  to,  are  broken  Over,  or  if  the 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  is  granted  farther  than  the  Town  has 
Voted  them,  we  Expect  nothing  but  Contention  Divisions  and 
finaly  the  braking  up  and  Distruction  of  the  Town,  to  prevent 
which  we  humbly  present  the  prayer  of  this  Town  to  the  Hon- 
ourable Court  (whom  we  Esteem  as  the  Guardians  of  and  De- 
fenders of  our  Rites)  that  the  prayer  of  the  Petitioners  may  not 
be  granted — 

Signed  Peter  Clark  for  y®  Committee 
Lyndborough  January  5 1791 


|_6-237]  \^Remonstrance  of  su7idry  Inhabitants  to  being"  set 

1791-'] 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  and 
for  the  State  of  New  Hampshier. 

The  petition  of  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  o 
Lyndeborough  Plumbly  Sheweth. — 

That  whereas  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  at  their  meting 
on  the  30  Day  of  August  last  past  Agreable  to  our  petition  to 
them  Voted  the  Following  tract  of  Land  being  of  the  Town  of 
Lyndeborough  Should  be  Set  oft' and  annexed  to  the  Town  of 
Francestown  with  all  such  of  the  Inhabitants  on  said  tract  that 
chuse  to  be  thus  Annexed  (provided  the  Honourable  Court 
would  Confirm  it)  Said  tract  of  Land  bounded  as  follows  (viz) 
Begining  at  the  South  east  Corner  of  Ithamar  Woodwards 
Land  then  running  Westwardly  by  the  North  Line  of  Lt  Amas 
Whittemor’s  Land  and  Enoch  Ordway  and  Noah  Lawrence 
Land  untill  it  comes  to  the  East  line  of  the  East  teer  of  Large 
lots  so  Called  then  Running  Northwardly  untill  it  Comes  to  the 
South  Line  of  the  Lot  Moses  Lewis  and  John  Stiles  is  Setled 
upon,  then  running  Westwardly  on  the  Line  of  Said  Lot  untill 
it  comes  to  the  Southwest  Corner  of  Said  Lot  then  running 
North  on  the  Line  of  Said  Lot  to  Francestown  Line,  Bounded 
Northwardly  and  Eastwardly  on  Francestown  Line  to  the  first 
Mentioned  Bounds.  Furthermore  we  would  observe  that  we 
have  Never  Signed  any  petition  or  manifested  any  Disire  of  be- 
ing Set  oft' with  the  Inhabitants  of  the  west  part  of  Lyndebor- 
ough in  the  way  and  manner  Expressed  in  their  petition  but  on 
the  Conterary  have  ever  Been  averse  there  unto  and  have  Con- 
stantly acted  Accordingly.  Therefore  we  Pray  your  Honours 
to  take  the  premises  into  your  Consideration  and  assign  us  to 
Francestown  or  Otherways  Let  us  Remain  as  we  are  Inhabi- 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


533 


tants  of  Lyndeborough  with  all  the  privelidges  we  now  injoy. 
And  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Lyndeborough  January  ^791 

Ithamar  Woodward  Jotham  reed  Mary  Pearson 

Jacob  Dutton  thomas  Petterson  Nathaniel  Batcheldor 

William  Merriam  John  Stiles  Rubin  kimbel 

Moulton  Batchelder  Moses  lewis 
Andrew  Creesye  John  M'^Clurg 


Francestown  January  13*^  ^79^ 


To  the  Plonorable  Senet  and  House  of  Representitives  in 
and  for  the  State  of  Newhampshire  we  the  Inhabitants  of  Said 
Francestown  Humbly  Pray  your  Flonors  to  here  & Grant  the 
Prayers  of  the  above  Perticioners 


JoiP  Fisk 
Jabez  Holmes 


? Selectmen 
of 

Francestown 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  January  24,  1791,  another  committee 
was  appointed  “ to  view  the  situation  of  said  Inhabitants,” 
and  the  following  is  their  report : — Ed.] 

[6-235] 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Court  at  their  Ses- 
sions in  JaiP  1791  to  consider  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Northwest  part  of  Lyndborough,  having  viewed  the  Situa- 
tion of  all  the  parties  concerned  in  said  petition  and  fully  heard 
them  thereupon  do  agree  to  report  as  there  opinion  that  a Towm 
be  incorporated  with  the  same  limits  and  boundaries  as  reported 
by  the  committee  appointed  in  June  1790  a copy  of  which  is 
inclosed  & submitted  by 

Tim°  Farrar 

James  Underwood  [ Com**’® 

Jeremiah  Page  ) 

[In  June  following  the  matter  was  disposed  of  by  the 
formation  of  the  several  tracts  mentioned  into  the  town  of 
Greenfield.  See  Greenfield  papers,  page  61. — Ed.] 


1 


534 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[6-244]  fro?7i  Inhabitants  of  the  south-west  part 

to  be  annexed  to  Temple^  7795.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  & the  Honorable  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  General  Court  Convened,  at  Concord  the 
first  Wednesday  of  December  i795* 

Humbly  sheweth  Beniamin  Killam,  Joseph  Killam,  John 
Kidder  Jun’’  Theodore  Barker,  Ebenezer  Stiles,  Joseph  Rich- 
ardson & Samuel  Killam  all  of  Lyndeborough  in  the  County  of 
Hillsborough  in  said  State  of  New  Hampshire  that  your  peti- 
tioners are  situated  on  four  lots  of  land  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  said  Lyndeborough  viz^  Conor’s,  Flucker’s,  Lynde’s  & Mof- 
fatt’s  lots,  bounded  south  & west  by  the  town  of  Temple — Your 
petitioners  being  situated  in  a very  remote  part  of  the  town,  six 
or  seven  miles  from  the  meeting  house,  the  road  being  naturally 
very  bad,  & but  little  prospect  of  its  ever  being  made  much  bet- 
ter by  reason  of  the  very  few  inhabitants  settled  on  it  which 
renders  it  very  difficult  & inconvenient  for  them  to  attend  on 
public  worship  in  that  place — and  as  they  are  situated  within 
three  or  four  miles  of  Temple  meeting  hous  having  a good  road 
they  have  always  attended  public  worship  there — And  it  is  like- 
wise very  difficult  for  them  to  school  their  children,  as  their 
number  is  too  small  for  a class  & no  other  Lyndeborough  in- 
habitants living  within  about  two  miles,  but  the  inhabitants  in 
Temple  are  situated  so  near  as  to  make  it  very  convenient  to 
class  with  them — These  motives  have  urged  your  petitioners  to 
request  the  inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough  to  set  them  off  to  the 
Town  of  Temple  or  otherwise  allow  them  to  pay  their  minister 
& School  tax  there — but  this  they  refuse.  Your  petitioners 
therefore  earnestly  pray  that  vour  honours  would  take  their  un- 
happy situation  into  your  wise  consideration  6i  do  them  that 
justice  that  nature  & equit}^  demand  by  annexing  them  to  the 
Town  of  Temple  & your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  &c 

Benj^  Killam 

In  behalf  of  the  petitioners — 

[The  matter  was  before  the  town  at  a meeting  held 
March  3,  1795,  and  was  dismissed. 

Further  action  was  taken  on  the  15th.  See  following 
document : — Ed.] 


LYNDEBOROUGH. 


535 


1^6—249]  S^Action  of  Town  on  foregoing  Petition.^ 

Lyndeborough  March  the  15 — 1796 — 

At  a leagual  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  Said  Town  this  Day  held  by  adjournment  at  the  Meet- 
ing house  in  Said  Town — 

(The  artical  in  the  Warrant  Stand  as  Follows)  (Viz) 

I2ly.  to  Se  if  the  Town  Will  take  into  thier  consideration 
the  petition  of  Benjamin  Killum  and  others  to  the  Gen^  Court 
praying  to  be  annexed  to  the  Town  of  Temple  and  allso  the 
■order  of  Court  their  on  and  act  an}^  thing  respecting  the  matter 
as  the  Town  Shall  think  fit  when  Mee*, 

(the  Vote  on  the  artical  as  follow)  (Viz) 

I2ly.  Voted  to  Choose  a Committee  to  inquire  into  the  peti- 
tion of  M*"  Benjamin  Killum  and  others  to  the  General  Court 
and  also  the  order  of  Court  their  on — and  giv  the  Representa- 
tive of  the  Town  direction  respecting  the  Mater  to  the  General 
Court  and  Make  report  to  the  Town  at  their  next  Meeting — 

the  Votes  Stand  respecting  the  petition  as  foil® 

(Viz)  in  faver  of  the  petition  25  including  five  of  the  petition- 
ers— 

and  against  the  petition — 65 — 

Chose  Docfi  Daniel  Russell 

Cap‘  William  Dutton  >-  Commi* 
Levi  Spaulding  Esq^J 

a true  Copy  from  the  Book 

attest  William  Dutton 
T.  Clerk 


■[6-250]  [7?  ev.  Mr.  Goodridge' s State7nent.~\ 

These  May  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  in  the  year 
1776  ; I was  called  upon,  at  that  time,  as  a Minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, to  attend  Several  funerals,  at  the  House  of  M*"  Joseph 
Hobbs  living  in  the  Southwesterly  part  of  Lyndeboro’,  Ad- 
joining on  Temple  And  as  there  Was  then  No  road  from  the 
Meeting  house,  directly  to  that  part  of  the  Town  ; I was  Oblig- 
ed to  go  thro’  a part  of  Willton  and  Temple  ; and  from  my  own 
dwelling  at  least  ten  miles, — finding  the  difficulty  So  great,  I 
requested  the  Rev*^  M*"  Webster  then  Minister  of  Temple  living 


536 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


about  three  miles  And  an  half  from  that  neighborhood — to 
Visit  the  Sick  & attend  funerals  in  that  part  of  the  Town — 
which  he  chearfully  engaged  to  do — Since  which,  the  distance 
continuing  the  Same  & the  road  Very,  Uncomfortable  I have 
requested  the  Rev*^  IVF  Miles — Now  Minister  of  Temple  to  per- 
form ministerial  duties  there,  which  he  has  chearfully  consented 
to — 

Sewall  Goodridge  Minister  of  the  gospel 
in  Lyndeborough 

May  30*^  179^ 

[A  plan  accompanied  these  documents  (6-251),  showing 
the  towns  of  Lyndeborough,  Temple,  and  Greenfield,  with 
the  situation  of  the  territory  in  question,  which  was  an^ 
nexed  to  Temple  by  an  act  approved  June  ii,  1796. — Ed.] 


M ADBURY. 

The  territory  comprised  in  this  town  was  formerly  a por- 
tion of  the  ancient  grant  of  Dover. 

It  was  erected  as  a parish  by  its  present  name  by  an  act 
of  the  legislature  passed  May  31,  1755,  by  which  it  was 
empowered  to  raise  money  for  the  separate  support  of  the 
ministry,  schools,  and  paupers,  but  remained  as  before 
with  respect  to  province  taxes,  highways,  etc.,  until  May 
20,  1768,  at  which  time  it  was  invested  with  full  town  priv- 
ileges by  act  of  the  legislature. 

The  petition  for  a parish  may  be  found  in  Vol.  XI,  page 
524. 

It  appears  that  the  place  was  called  Madbury  some  time 
prior  to  its  incorporation  as  a parish,  and  that  an  unsuccess- 
ful attempt  was  made  in  1743  to  procure  an  incorporation 
as  a parish  of  the  territory  now  in  this  town,  including  a 
portion  of  the  town  of  Durham. 


[7-9]  S^Petition  for  the  Appohztment  of  a Magistrate.^ 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General 
Govener  and  Comander  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majestys 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  in  New  England  and  Vice  ad- 
mirel  of  the  same — 


MADBURY. 


537 


The  Petition  of  sundry  of  the  Inhabients  of  the  Perish  of 
Madbury  in  s'^  province  Humbly  sheweth  that  the  said  Perish 
of  Madbury  hath  not  been  favor‘d  by  your  Excellency  Sence 
your  taking  the  chair  of  Goverment  with  any  person  Commis- 
sionated  to  be  a Justice  of  the  Peace  Residing  in  s*^  Perish 
Your  Petitioners  and  Others  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said 
Perish  find  many  Inconveniences  and  Difficultys  for  Want  of 
some  suitable  person  so  Commissionated  as  they  are  Obliged  to 
Travel  unto  Other  towns  to  acknowledge  Deeds  make  Oath  to 
Accounts  make  Complaints  against  Criminal  Oftenders  & to 
have  Perish  Officers  sworn  with  many  Other  things 

Wherefore  your  petitioners  humbly  pray  that  your  Excel- 
lency would  be  pleased  to  Appoint  and  Commissionate  Solo- 
mon Emerson  Esq*"  of  said  Perish  in  that  Trust  a person  who 
we  apperhend  has  heretofore  Executed  that  Office  with  fidelity 
and  Greatly  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  said  Perish  and  would  we 
believe  in  that  Office  Conduce  very  much  to  the  peace  Qiiiet 
and  Good  order  of  said  Perish  and  town  adjacent  and  your  pe- 
titioners as  in  Dut}'  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 


Joseph  Hicks 
Joseph  Hicks  Juffi 
Ebenezer  Tasker 
James  Davis 
Job  Demeret  Juffi 
Remembrance  Clark 
James  Davis  Jun"' 
Joseph  Pinkham 
Thomas  Davis 
James  Pinkham 
Isaac  Pinkham 
Sam^'  Jones 


Richard  Jones 
lohn  Huckers 
Thomas  Wille 
John  Huckens  Junr 
Den  net  Way  mouth 
Sam*^  Chesley 
John  Roberts 
Lyonel  Worth 
Nath^^  Tebbets 
James  Huckens 
Joseph  Bunker 
Whip*  Demeret 


Sam^^  Davis  Juffi 
Joseph  Rines 
Timothy  Mores 
Thomas  Bunker 
John  Tasker 
Joseph  Libby 
John  Rines  Jun 
Timothy  Mores 
Juner 

Robert  Hill 
John  Roberts 


[R.  2-245]  \_Pelatlah  Da7iiels^  Soldier^  iy6od\ 

[In  a petition  dated  May  15,  1760,  he  stated  that  he  was 
of  Madbury,  and  served  in  Captain  Jacob  Bailey’s  com- 
pany; was  at  Oswego  until  the  “ Regiment  was  broken  up 
& Dismissed  to  come  home.”  He  further  stated  that  he 
was  detained  to  drive  teams  in  the  king’s  service  until 
Dec.  23  ; was  then  dismissed,  and  on  the  way  home  froze 
his  feet,  and  was  laid  up  at  “fort  Herchymer  or  German 
flatts  until  the  tenth  of  March.”  He  asked  for  an  allow- 
ance, which  was  granted  to  the  extent  of  sterling. — 

Ed.] 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


538 

[R.  2-246]  \_.Daniel  Pinkham.^  Soldier^  I’jy6d\ 

[In  a petition  dated  June  5,  1776,  Daniel  Pinkham,  of 
Madbury,  stated  “that  he  was  a Soldier  in  the  American 
Service  in  Cap*  Winborn  Adams  company;”  came  home 
on  a furlough  in  August,  1775,  and  was  taken  sick  of  a 
“ Nervous  Fever.”  He  was  attended  by  Dr.  Joshua  Brack- 
ett of  Portsmouth,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Wigglesworth  of  Dur- 
ham, and  wanted  the  state  to  pay  the  bills. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-247]  [ William  Twombly^  Soldier.,  ^779'\ 

[In  a petition  dated  June  24,  1779,  William  Twombly,  of 
Madbury,  stated  that  he  was  in  Col.  Wingate’s  regiment  in 
the  Rhode  Island  expedition,  and  lost  his  horse,  for  which 
he  asked  the  state  to  pay. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-248]  \_Bounty  to  George  Ham.~\ 

Exeter  June  20*^  i7^4* 

There  is  due  to  the  town  of  Madbury  Twenty^  pounds  two 
Shillings  & four  pence  for  a Bounty  paid  to  Geo.  Ham  a Con- 
tinental Soldier  who  engaged  for  said  Town  in  the  year  i777 
as  appears  by  the  Books 

Jos.  Gilman 

[Receipted  for  by  John  Wingate. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-249]  [_yames  yackso7z* s Order. ~\ 

Madbury  Feb^  12*^^  i7^5* 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire. 

Sir  please  to  pay  Sami.  Gilman  or  order  all  that  is  due  to  my 
late  Son  Daniel  Jackson  who  was  a Soldier  in  the  2^  New 
Hampshire  Reg*  and  died  at  Albany  Nov*^  ^77^* 

James  Jackson 

[“Solo  Emerson  Just  of  peace”  certified  that  James 
Jackson  was  the  father  of  said  Daniel. — Ed.] 


MADBURY. 


539 


[^7—10]  \_Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ ^7^3 

State  of  New  Hamsphire — Strafford  : ss 

According  to  A Vote  of  the  General  Corte  to  us  sent  by  the 
Secryr.  of  s^*  State  we  the  Subscribs  have  taken  a True  account 
of  the  Number  of  the  Pols  paying  Taxes  of  the  age  Acording 
to  said  Vote,  in  the  Parish  of  Madbury — No  : Eighty  Seven 
Poles — No  : 87  poles — 

Madbury  Decern'^  9*^  ^7^3 


Strafford  : ss 

The  above  Named  Select  Men  for  the  Parish  of  Madbury 
personly  Apeared  & Made  Solom  oath  to  the  Truth  of  the 
Above  written  N : of  Poles 

Before  me — Solo  Emerson  Just  Peace 

Madbury  Dece"'  the  10 : 17S3  : 


Joseph  Hicks  \ 


Benjamin 
Daniel  Meserve 


gerrsh 


Men 


[7-12]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  elect  a Representative^ 

I786.-\ 


To  the  Hon'’^®  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  convened  at  Portsmouth  the  of  Dec"^ 
1786 — 

Humbly  shews  the  Subscribers  inhabitants  and  each  one  for 
himself  paying  a poll  Tax  in  the  parish  of  Madbury  that  agre- 
ably  to  the  plan  of  Representation  laid  Down  in  the  Constitu- 
tion said  parish  has  not  a number  of  Legal  Voters  sufficient  to 
entitle  them  to  send  A Representative  to  the  General  Court 
and  of  Course  have  remaind  unrepresented  for  two  years  and 
as  there  is  no  Town  or  Parish  near  with  which  said  Madbury 
can  be  joined  for  Choosing  a Representative  they  humbly  pray 
that  (agreably  to  a clause  in  said  Constitution)  they  may  have 
the  privilege  of  sending  a person  to  Represent  them  in  the 
General  Court  and  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 


Stephen  Pinkham 
Seth  Jacobs 
James  Pinkham 
Ebeffi  Tasker 
John  Smith 


John  Edgerly 
Joseph  Meserve 
Robeit  Hill 
Solomon  Emerson 
Moses  Emerson 


Timothy  Hanson  jun 
Solomon  Pitman 
Paul  Gerrish 
Daniel  Twombly 
Samuel  Davis  ju'' 


540 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Joseph  Pips 
Solomon  Evens 
Reuben  Twombly 
John  Twombly 
Daniel  Meserve 
John  Wingate 
Eben*’  Demerit 
John  Demerit 
Samu^  Kielle 
David  Daniels 
Jon^  Wingate 
Thom®  Jones 
Jonathan  Meserve 
John  Young 
William  Twombly 
Jon“  Demerit 
Solomon  Demerit 
William  Demerit 
Solomon  Demerit 

JuiE 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Jan.  lo,  1787,  the  foregoing  request  was 
granted.  Senate  concurred. — Ed.] 

Madbury  March  y®  3*^  1786 

This  may  Cartify  that  the  Number  of  Polls  in  the  Parrsh  of 
Madbury  paying  a Poll  tax  Each  one  for  him  Self  is  one  Hun- 
dred agreable  to  the  rate  List  for  the  last  year 

John  Wingate  ] Select  men  for 
EbeY  Demerit  \ Said  Parrish 


James  Demerit 
Stephen  Demerit 
Eli  Demerit 
Benjamin  Hill 
John  Carney 
Joseph  D Pinkham 
Thomas  Spurling 
Eben'  Hill 
James  Pinkham  juiP 
Jacob  Garland 
Jacob  Joy 
Tho®  Airmet 
Joseph  Hicks 
EbeiE  Tasker  juiP 
Moses  Canney 
Robert  Huckins  jun*' 
Robert  Demerit 
Isaac  Canney 
Maul  Hanson 


Thomas  Gerrish 
Elijah  Drew 
Sam'  Emerson 
Solomon  Emerson 
jinP 

William  Tasker 
Tho®  Hill 
Ezekel  Drew 
Robert  Huckins 
JoiP  Huckins 
Clement  Meserve  3^ 
Paul  Demerit 
John  Demerit  Jun*^ 
Samuel  Bodge 
Samuel  Edgerly 
Paul  Edgerly 
Ezekel  Twombly 


MANCHESTER. 

The  township  was  formed  from  territory  taken  from  Lon- 
donderry, Chester,  and  a tract  of  land  lying  on  Merrimack 
river  belonging  to  the  Masonian  proprietors,  called  Harry- 
town,  and  was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council, 
Sept.  3,  1751,  by  the  name  of  Derryfield.  The  first  town- 
meeting was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Hall,  innholder, 
Sept.  23,  1751,  at  which  town  officers  were  chosen.  As 
incorporated,  the  town  was  wholly  on  the  east  side  of  Mer- 
rimack river. 


MANCHESTER. 


541 


By  an  act  passed  by  the  H.  of  Rep.,  June  17,  1795,  and 
by  the  senate,  December  4,  same  year,  a gore  of  land  was 
annexed  to  the  north  side  of  the  town.  This  was  a portion 
of  “ Harrytown,”  and  was  intended  to  be  included  in  the 
original  incorporation. 

In  answer  to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants,  the  name  of 
the  town  was  changed  to  Manchester,  June  13,  1810.  It  is 
said  that  this  name  was  suggested  as  a compliment  to  Hon. 
Samuel  Blodgett,  who  constructed  a canal  around  Amos- 
keag  falls,  and  who  had  often  asserted  that  the  place  would 
some  day  be  the  Manchester  of  America.  Could  he  visit 
the  city  now,  he  would  undoubtedly  experience  even  a 
greater  feeling  of  exultation  than  he  did  on  that  “ May 
Day,”  1807,  when  he  passed  through  his  canal  and  locks 
around  Amoskeag  falls  for  the  first  time. 

An  act  granting  the  town  a city  charter  was  approved 
by  the  governor  July  10,  1846,  since  which  time  its  growth 
in  manufactures,  wealth,  and  population  has  been  very 
rapid.  In  1830  its  population  was  877  ; in  1880,  32,630. 

By  an  act  passed  July  i,  1853,  that  portion  of  the  city 
since  known  as  Amoskeag  was  severed  from  Goffstown,  and 
that  portion  known  as  Piscataquog  was  severed  from  Bed- 
ford, and  severally  annexed  to  Manchester. 

The  city  was  authorized  to  construct  works  to  convey 
water  to  the  city  from  Massabesic  pond  in  i87i,which  were 
completed  in  1874. 

Manchester  at  this  time  is  one  of  the  largest  manufactur- 
ing communities  in  New  England,  and  its  products  are  used 
in  almost  every  civilized  portion  of  the  world. 

Gen.  John  Stark,  a stern  old  patriot,  whose  name  will  be 
forever  inseparable  from  those  of  Bunker  Hill  and  Ben- 
nington, resided  many  years  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
and  died  there  May  8,  1822,  at  the  age  of  93. 


[R.  2-250]  \_Petitzo?i  of  Hadley  a?td  Kidder'  addressed  to 
the  Gefieral  Assembly ^ zyyp.] 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Benj^  Hadley  & John  Kidder  of 
Derryfield  in  said  Province,  by  their  Attorney  John  Gofte  Esq’’ 
Shews,  That  your  Petitioners,  Viz,  Benj*^  Hadley  had  a serv‘ 
Viz,  John  Whicherweed,  & John  Kidder  a Brother  Viz,  Ben- 
jamin Kidder,  on  whose  estate  the  said  John  has  administered, 


542 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


who  voluntarily  Inlisted  themselves  in  the  service  & pay  of  this 
Governm*  under  the  Command  of  Cap‘  Richard  Emary  In  the 
year  1757  In  the  Expedition  against  Canada,  & were  at  Fort 
W"  Henry  where  after  a Seige  of  seven  Days,  said  Fort  sur- 
rendered, after  which  the  Indians  took  their  Guns  from  them 
stripped  them  of  all  the  Cloaths  they  had  Excepting  what  was 
lost  at  the  surrender  of  said  fort,  & Carried  to  Canada,  and  at 
the  end  of  four  months  residence  there,  & many  Complicated 
sufferings  they  were  sent  to  Rochell  In  Old  France,  where  they 
died  In  Goal,  a perticular  acc*  of  their  Losses  Is  herewith  Ex- 
hibited. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  by  their  Attorney  John  Goffe 
Esq*"  Humbly  prays  That  their  Circumstances  & Losses  of  so 
much  Time  &c  to  their  master  & surviving  heirs,  may  be  Con- 
sidered & that  your  Excellency  & Honours  would  in  your  Great 
Wisdom  & Goodness  Grant  them  a Quantum  Meruit  or  such 
Gratuity  as  may  In  some  Measure  Compensate  for  the  Misfor- 
tunes aforesaid,  & they  will  as  In  Duty  Bound  Ever  pray  &c 

John  Goffe 

In  Behalf  of  Benj"  Hadley  & John  Kidder 


[Goffe  presented  a power  of  attorney  from  John  Kidder 
and  Benjamin  Hadley  on  printed  forms  (Nos,  251  and 
252),  and  the  following  bills  : — Ed.] 

[R.  2-253] 

Things  that  Sargent  Benjamin  Kidder  had  & Lost  at  the 
Surrender  of  fort  William  Hennery  which  I fitted  him  out 
with 

(Viz)  one  New  duble  brested  Jacot  of  nub  Cloth  <£10-  0-0 
D“  one  flowered  Sarge  2-  0-0 

I  pair  of  Leather  briches 

1 Gunworth  10  dollars  15-  o-Q 

2 pair  of  Stockens  3L)  old  Tenor  2 pair  Shoes 

15/  new  tenor  a pair  

3 shirts  viz  one  fine  £3  2 woolin  a 2/4 

one  pair  of  Trousers  i-io-o 

Hanker  chife  flowered  i-io-o 


Total  New  Tenor  45-13-0 

True  accompt  Errors  Excepted  per 

John  Goffe  attor. 

which  I am  Ready  to  attest  to  if  Required 


4-10-0 
7-  8-0 


MANCHESTER. 


543 


[Hadley’s  account  is  similar,  and  amounts  to  ^£21,  10,  o. 
It  was  sworn  to  before  John  Goffe,  January,  1759. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-254]  \^Ebenezer  JVew?nan^  Soldier^  ^779‘\ 

In  Committee  on  Claims,  May  7,  — 

The  Bounty  & Supplies  advanced  to  Ebenezer  Newman  (a 
private  in  the  3^^  Rcg^)  by  the  Town  of  Derryfleld  in  1779  ap- 
pear to  be  Twenty  pounds 

Ex*^  per  Josiah  Gilman  Jun’’ 


[7-13]  S^Letter  from  Col.  fokn  Goffe  to  Gov.  Wentworth 

relative  to  Trespasses  and  some  Sharp  Practice  at  an 

Election  in  Derryfeld.,  j/bb.] 

Derryfleld  Sept.  1766. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency 

I went  at  the  Request  of  Masons  Proprietors  to  the  Society 
Land  between  Pettersborah  & Hillsborah  to  see  where  the 
Trespassers  had  ben  at  work  & whose  Lots  they  had  Improved 
upon  & found  they  had  cleared,  at  least  cut  a grate  deal  of  Timber 
down,  had  built  a camp  upon  Solly  & Marches*  & on  Meservey 
& Blanchards  and  your  Excellencys  Lots  on  the  west  side  of  Con- 
tucook  River  they  have  don  a grate  deal  of  work  fenced  it  all 
In  with  a Considerable  Good  Riming  fence  have  built  a camp 
on  it  & altho’  no  body  was  their  when  we  were  their  yet  we 
are  prity  sure  that  Doc^  Perry  is  the  man  that  has  Trespassed 
upon  your  lot  & petty  it  is  that  he  should  not  be  prosecuted  as 
he  Is  the  Ringleader  of  all  the  Rest,  the[re],  and  as  son  as  they 
Git  to  work  again  I have  2 men  Ingaged  to  see  them  at  work 
& acquaint  me  with  their  names. — The  Land  is  Exceeding 
Good  but  I think  your  Excellencys  is  superior  to  any  at  that 
part  of  the  Society  Land  and  that  maid  them  fellows  Covet  it 
it  is  certainly  worth  mony — I intended  to  have  wated  upon  your 
Excellency  when  the  Infer*'  Cort  set  but  I hurt  my  self  when  up 
their  with  heat  and  laying  out  in  the  Wet  so  that  I have  not  ben 
well  sence  I came  from  their. — Your  Excellency  may  Remem- 
ber that  we  In  Derryfleld  petitioned  the  GeY*  Cort  for  an  act 
to  call  a town  meeting  for  the  choice  of  town  otflcers  which 
when  I cal’d  John  Hall  with  Cob  Barr  who  have  strived  all 
that  is  in  their  power  to  Injure  me  of  late  & at  the  meeting  CoP 


♦Samuel  Solley  and  Clement  March. 


544 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Barr  cam  on  porpos  to  affront  me  & Col°  Barr  Hlered  voters 
for  John  hall  with  Large  promises  and  Webster  a Trader  at 
Chester  hall  Hierd  I have  by  good  Information  to  come  to 
Threaten  his  detters  in  town,  if  they  did  not  vote  for  Hall  he 
could  not  stay  upon  them  &c,  so  that  upon  the  whole  with  their 
Inffuence  hall  obtained  eighteen  voters  be  side  him  self  and 
there  was  eighteen  voters  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial men  in  town  so  that  when  they  had  don  all  they  could 
that  could  not  git  hall  any  office  without  voting  for  himself  nor 
none  that  was  chosen  that  day  & several  Rec*^  Deeds  from  Col° 
Barr  & others  that  day  to  make  them  voters  which  I suppose 
held  them  no  longer  than  that  Night  for  I am  confident  they 
would  not  Trust  them  A shilling  ever  expecting  to  Git  it. — 
And  as  soon  as  the  meeting  was  over  John  Hall  told  Esq' 
Sheepard  the  moderator  that  he  had  Beat  Goffe  now  & he  would 
have  a commission  of  the  peace  In  spite  of  anybody  that  should 
oppose  it  for  Col°  Bar  & Maj  Emerson  and  M'  Webster  with 
his  friends  at  the  Bank  would  procure  it  for  him — now  may  it 
please  Your  Excellency  if  such  an  Insulting  fellow  (for  I have 
heard  him  Insult  the  whol  GoverJ  many  times  and  a man  that 
has  Live  30  or  forty  years  upon  a place  & could  never  Raise 
half  his  provision,  to  Git  that  post  would  strive  for  to  make 
mony  by  it  and  put  the  people  into  confusion  for  work  he  dont 
Incline  to  & is  allway  contriving  unjust  ways  to  maintain  his 
Luxery  & I am  very  sure  your  Excellency  never  will  Give  a 
commision  to  a man  that  wants  it  for  no  other  end  than  to  Re- 
venge and  Git  mony  by  it.  Therefore  I Beg  your  Excellencys 
favour  that  John  Hall  nor  non  for  him  may  prevail  in  that  Re- 
spect. 

I am  your  Excellencys  most  Humble 
& Devoted  Servant 


His  Excellency  Govenor  Wintworth 


John  Goffe 


[If  Colonel  Goffe  stated  the  truth  in  the  foregoing,  the 
practice  of  hiring  voters  is  not  so  modern  as  many  would 
have  us  believe. 

The  meeting  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  was  a special 
meeting  called  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  legislature,  passed 
July  9,  1766,  which  act  nullified  the  proceedings  of  the  reg- 
ular annual  meeting,  at  which  two  sets  of  town  officers 
were  chosen.  Said  act  was  passed  in  answer  to  a petition 
from  sundry  of  the  inhabitants,  who  stated  that  one  party 
(probably  the  John  Hall  party,  as  he  was  town-clerk) 
opened  the  meeting  and  elected  one  set  of  officers  before 
the  usual  hour,  and  their  opponents,  on  their  arrival,  elected 
another  set. — Ed.] 


MANCHESTER. 


545 


[7-14]  \_yeremiah  Stevens  for  Confrfnation  of  a Grant  of 

Land^  iy42.~\ 

To  His  Excel.  Benning  Wentworth  Governour  In  Chef  In  & 
over  His  Majesty’s  province  of  New-hampshire  To  the 
H onoii''  His  Majesty’s  Councel — 

The  petition  of  Jeremiah  Stevens  of  Salsbury  in  the  County 
of  Essex  : Humbly  Shewing  That  wheras  the  province  of  the 
Massachusset  In  the  year  1735  for  serveces  done  & more  Es- 
pecaly  In  the  Eastward  parts  In  the  province  of  new  hampshire 
under  the  Comand  of  Col ; Wolton  made  a grant  to  your  peti- 
tioner of  a tract  of  land  of  about  four  hundred  & fifty  Acres  att 
a place  Called  Ammaschage  Since  which  Tim  your  petitioner 
hath  Cleared  Considerable  of  the  land  & Built  Two  Houses 
there  on  & Setled  two  familys  But  so  It  Is  that  By  the  Deter- 
mination of  His  majesty  In  Councel  upon  the  Boundary  line 
Between  the  massachusetts  & new-hampshire  the  s'^  grant  lieth 
to  the  northward  of  the  Boundary  line  & In  the  province  of 
new  hampshire  Wherefore  your  Humble  petitioner  looking 
upon  himself  a suitable  object  of  faviour  & Compasion  : would 
Therefore  pray  your  Excel  & Hono'' to  Take  his  Case  Into  your 
most  wise  & Just  Consideration  & alow  & Confirm  unto  your 
most  Humble  petitioner  The  afore  s*^  grant:  & your  petitioner 
as  In  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Essex  Salsbury  may  12  : 1742 

Jeremiah  Stevens 


[7-15]  [^Relative  to  the  Disconthiuance  of  a Road^  ^753'^ 
Province  of  New  Hamp 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq  Governor  &c  to 
the  hon'’*®  his  Majestys  Council  & house  of  Representatives 
for  said  Province  , 

Wheaeas  at  his  Majestys  Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions 
for  this  Province  held  in  September  1752  on  a Representation 
of  the  necessity  of  a Road  by  the  River  thro’  Derryfield  Order 
issued  to  a Committee  to  lay  it  out  who  proceeded  made  return 
and  after  all  parties  in  the  Town  having  time  to  consider  & 
make  their  Objections,  was  Accepted  & passed  on  Record  for 
an  Highway  since  which  we  have  this  Week  been  inform’d  that 
Since  on  the  request  of  some  Persons  the  Hon'^'®  the  General 
Assembly  has  tho’t  fit  to  take  Cognizance  of  the  Afiair  & by 
their  Committee  to  view  in  order  for  the  discontinuance  of  that 
Part  of  said  Road  against  Namaskeeg  falls,  Now  therefore  We 

37 


546 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  this  Province  & Residents  in  the 
Towns  Adjoining  to  Merrimack  River  woud  most  humbly  Re- 
monstrate That  that  Part  of  said  Road  against  Namaskeeg  falls 
cannot  be  discontinued  without  a very  great  Prejudice  to  the 
Public — For  that  the  River  is  become  of  very  great  Service  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  part  of  the  Government  that  as  the  new 
Settlements  above  the  said  Falls  as  well  on  all  the  Arms  as  the 
Main  River  are  constantly  increasing  & are  under  necessity  of 
clearing  their  Lands  where  there  is  great  Quantities  of  valuable 
Lumber  which  must  be  lost  with  almost  equal  Charge  to  Con- 
sume as  to  turn  into  the  River,  unless  they  can  be  benefited  by 
rafting  down  or  otherwise  using  the  River,  that  this  Business  at 
present  is  very  great  & must  daily  increase  for  a number  of 
years  to  come  and  profitably  employ  a Multitude  of  Labourers, 
the  Land  on  both  Sides  for  more  than  Seventy  miles  to  the 
Northward  of  the  said  Falls  & on  all  the  smaller  Streams  which 
woud  contain  more  than  a Million  Acres  with  a very  small  land 
Carriage  are  yet  to  clear  & the  Timber  not  culled  except  a few 
small  Towns  & they  but  Lately  began  in  which  Merrymac 
River  will  be  of  Infinite  Service,  & of  Absolute  Necessity  for 
the  favour  & Protection  of  the  Government  in  facilitating  their 
Passages  down  the  River,  The  Charge  of  clearing  the  Falls  in 
several  Places  but  more  especially  at  Namaskeeg  woud  amount 
to  a Larger  Sum  Than  can  be  Expected  to  be  rais’d  this  many 
years — The  great  Losses  those  who  venture  down  the  falls  meet 
with,  will  constrain  them  to  carry  by  the  falls,  by  Land,  all 
such  Lumber  they  can — That  there  is  a very  convenient  Place 
for  Landing,  the  Bank  Sutable  both  at  the  head  & foot  of  the 
said  falls,  a Level  good  Road  & but  about  Six  Score  Rods — and 
commodious  to  lye  very  near  the  River — the  River  not  being  a 
Fence  does  not  increase  that  Charge,  The  Land  where  the  Road 
lyes,  cannot  be  of  great  Value,  the  Owners  content  all  but  two 
Small  Lots  One  belonging  to  the  Heirs  of  Alexander  M®Mur- 
phy  the  Other  to  One  M‘^Neal  who  has  lately  enter’d  there — 
That  altho’  a Road  can  be  had  the  West  side  the  River,  & as 
short  Travel  yet  the  Draught  much  heavier  but  both  will  be 
wanted,  the  Land  is  mean  sandy  Pitch  Pine  Plain  in  general 
for  more  than  two  Miles  back  the  west  side,  And  Inhabitants 
Cannot  live  there  Sufficient  in  the  Season  to  hale  by  all  the 
Lumber  which  Usually  must  be  done  by  Hay  the  Easterly  side 
much  better  accommodated  & will  always  be — and  in  freshets 
very  difficult  to  carry  Teams  a cross  the  River  the  Principal 
Time  they  are  wanted — For  these  Considerations  we  humbly 
hope  the  Petition  will  be  dismiss’d  without  day  But  if  this 
Hon^^®  Assembly  shoud  otherwise  determine.  We  humbly 
pray  that  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Part  of  the  Government  for 
whose  Use  this  Road  was  design’d  may  have  Opportunity  to 


MANCHESTER. 


547 


lay  their  Grievance  more  fully  before  this  Hon°‘®  Assembly  As 
not  now  having  had  but  about  twenty  four  hours  Notice  of  the 
Affair,  & none  before  the  committee  was  on  the  Spot — And 
Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  Pray 


July  7"'  1753— 

Zacheus  Lovewell 
Will'"  Lund 
Jonathan  Snow 
Daniel  Searles 
Tomas  Harwood 
William  Lund  JuiP 
Winkall  wright 
John  Searls 
John  Lovewell  JuiP 
Isaac  powers 
Jeremiah  Colburn 
Jonathan  powers 
John  Combs 
John  Pollard 


Phin®  Underwood 
John  m'^Laughlin 
Joshua  Follansbe 
Samuel  matain 
Simeon  Coffin 
Stephen  Coffin 
Nathan  Kendall 
John  Goffe 
Archibald  Stark 
Nathan  Kendall 
Jun  : 

William  Stark 
Johua  Matin 
Robert  Rodger 


Joseph  ordwey 
Jonathan  Cumings 
Simeon  Cumings 
William  Parker 
Richard  Rogers 
Archabald  Stark  Juffi 
Samuel  Stark 
Hugh  Sterling 
Benjamin  Hadly 
Moses  Wells 
Ebenezer  Stvens 
Thomas  george 
Joseph  george 
John  Stark 


[7-16]  \_Relative  to  the  Alewive  Fishery^ 

Province  of  New  Hampshire — Hillsborough  ss 
Derry  field  FeU  the  Day  1776 — 

This  may  Certifi  the  Members  of  the  Gennaral  Assembly  in 
and  for  said  province,  that  the  Alewive  fishery  in  Great  Cohas 
Brook  in  said  Derryfield  would  be  of  Great  Service  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  Said  Town,  and  Likwayes  to  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Ajasent  Towns,  alowing  that  the  Incumbrance  Ware  Re- 
moveed  which  are  on  said  Brook,  therfor  We  Your  Humble 
Peteceners,  prays  that  Your  Honners,  would  take  the  following 
Articuls  by  us  Signed  unto  your  Searous  Concedration 

i'^  that  all  Incumbrances  on  said  Brook  be  with  all  speed 
Removeed  in  order  that  said  fish  may  have  a free  Liberty  to 
pass  and  repass  at  all  proper  Secons  in  said  Brook  from  Mer- 
rimack River  to  Massepeepek  Pond — 

z'y  that  no  seen  neat  be  put  in  to  the  Mouth  of  said  Brook  or 
Near  to  it  in  order  to  each  Aney  of  said  fish,  and  that  no  scoop 
neat  poot  or  wire  be  put  in  to  said  Brook,  in  aney  part  within 
sixty  Rodes  from  the  mouth  of  said  Brook,  under  the  paneltyes 
of  paying  three  pounds  for  each  fish  Cached  within  said  Bounds 
3'^  our  Disire  is  that  the  said  fish  may  have  free  liberty  to 
pass  and  repass  in  said  Brook  for  the  Insuing  year  without  mo- 
lestacion  that  they  May  increase  their  nomber,  under  the  above 
like  penelty. — 


548 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


4’^  that  there  be  Men  chosen  and  sworn  to  Inspact  and  see 
that  the  above  Articuls  be  Ubserved,  and  that  they  may  have 
full  power  of  Substitution  to  prosecut  all  and  Every  affenders 
of  said  articuls  to  fineal  Judgment  and  Execution,  and  your 
petitioners  as  in  Dyt  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 


The  Petitioners  for  Derryfield 


David  Starret 
william  m®‘^Clintok 
Alex’"  Macmurphy 
Sami  Boyd 
Samuel  Moor 
John  Dickey 
william  parham 
John  parham 
Nathaniel  Boyd 
George  Greaham 
william  Gambell 
Bishop  Coston 


william  parham 
Charls  Emerson 
John  Harvey 
John  Hall 
Daniel  Hall 
Abrahem  merrill 
Nathaniel  merrill 
Abraham  merrill 
Juner 

Benja  Baker  Juner 
Joseph  George 
Benja  Baker 


Ezekiel  Stevens 
Samuel  Stark 
Jesse  Baker 
william  Nutt 
Jerediah  Patee 
James  Peires 
Moses  merrill 
Samuel  Alls 
Arch  able  Macmur- 

phy 

John  Clark 


Subscribers  for  Londonderry 


James  Nesmith  Jif 
Robert  Willson 
William  Wier 
John  M'^clenche 
James  Thompson 
James  nesmith  3*^ 
David  nTCleary 
Joseph  Hogg 
James  M’^Cluer 
Rob’"‘  M’^Clner 
Thomas  Highlands 
Moses  watts 
Sam^^  White 
Thomas  White 
John  Watts 
James  Boyes 
John  Petterson 
Hugh  Watt 
James  Boyes 
Moses  Watt 
Ephraim  White 
Thomas  M^Cleary 
Joseph  Patterson 
Joshua  thompson 
William  Lyons 
Isaac  Brewster 
Robert  Colom 


willam  Betty 
alx’  M‘^‘’Colom 
Robert  Moor 
John  Bell 
And’"  Todd 
Andrew  todd  Juner 
John  Pinkerton 
David  Pinkerton 
Mathew  Miller 
Samuel  Miller 
John  mac  keen 
Petter  Patterson 
Mo®  Barrett 
Hugh  Mongomery 
John  moor 
Samuel  Barr 
James  m’^keen 
Thomas  Taggart 
John  Anderson 
Will"’  Duncan 
Thomas  Holms 
Robert  Moore 
Sa’*  Clark 
Sam^^  Allison 
William  Gregg 
Robert  Dickey 
Samuel  morison 


John  Red 
Matthevv^  Pinkerton 
Samuel  Marsh 
Rob*  Smith 
John  Holmes 
Will"’  Eayrs 
Samuel  Gregg 
John  M*^keen  Ju’’ 
Robert  Thompson 
John  Nesmith 
Joseph  Marsh 
David  Brewster 
John  Smith 
James  Gregg 
John  Hughes 
Ephraim  Dimond 
James  Waddell 
James  Eayers 
James  Mac  Murphy 
John  Archibald 
Robert  Hodgert 
Josiah  Duncan 
Daniel  Runnels 
James  Doack 
John  Erving 
Andrew  Mack 
George  Duncan  Jun"* 


MANCHESTER. 


549 


[An  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  March  23,  1776, 
entitled  “An  act  to  promote  the  Increase  of  the  Fish 
called  Alewives  in  Great  Cohass  Brook  in  Derryfield,’^ 
which  contained  the  following  provision  : 

“ And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
that  each  & every  Person,  owning  or  improving  any  Mill 
Dam  on  said  Brook,  shall  from  the  first  day  of  May  to  the 
fifteenth  day  of  June  in  every  year  from  & after  the  passing 
& during  the  continuance  of  this  act  keep  a sluice  open  in 
each  Dam,  to  the  end  that  the  said  Alewives  may  pass  & 
repass  into  & from  the  said  Massabesec  Pond,  without  in- 
terruption and  in  failure  thereof  every  Person  being  owner 
or  improver  of  such  Dam  or  Dams  as  aforesaid,  shall  forfeit 
& pay  for  every  offence  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds.” 

The  town  of  Derryfield  was  authorized  to  choose  a com- 
mittee to  see  that  the  law  was  obeyed. — Ed.] 


[1-17]  \_Relative  to  being  classed  for  Representative^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  the  Council  & Gent^  of  the  Hon'’^*  House  of 

Representatives  in  Gen'  Assembly  at  Portsmouth  convened 
i^th  October  1780. 

The  humble  Petition  of  the  several  Persons  whose  names  are 
hereto  set,  and  subscribed,  Inhabitants  of  Derrifield  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough,  and  State  aforesaid. 

Sheweth  That  pursuant  to  plan  of  Government,  the  said 
Town  of  Derrifield  was  annexed  to  Gofiestown,  for  the  purpose 
of  chusing  annually  a person  to  represent  them  in  General  As- 
sembly which  Union  has  turned  out  to  be  a great  Grievance 
and  highly  inconvenient  to  Derrifield. 

That  Your  Pef®  conceive  Gofiestown  to  consist  of  100  fami- 
lies, and  therefore  not  needing  the  Aid  of  Derrifield,  whilest 
the  latter  contains  little  more  than  50  families,  And  conse- 
quently in  every  Choice  as  aforesaid  must  (if  the  Inhabitants 
CO*'  possibly  be  present)  be  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  out- 
voted And  therefore  not  fairly  represented. 

But  may  it  please  Your  Honors,  so  it  is,  that  frequently  the 
said  Inhabitants  of  Derrifield  cannot  be  present  at  such  Choice 
as  the  same  is  by  precept  always  at  Gofiestown  & at  a time  ot 
Year  when  many  times  they  cannot  pass  the  River  Merrimack 
without  peril  of  their  Lives. 

That  your  Pefi®  are  sensible,  that  they  cannot  stand  alone  in 
representation,  but  as  they  are  informed  by  their  Neighbors, 


550 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Inhabitants  of  Litchfield,  that  they  also  conceive  themselves  to 
be  under  Circumstances  somew^hat  similar  to  the  above,  with 
respect  to  Nottingham  West,  and  that  they  also  are  about  to 
apply  to  Yo*"  Hon*'®  for  relief 

Your  Pef®  for  the  Causes  aforesaid,  pray  leave  to  bring  in  a 
Bill,  whereby  they  may  be  declared  Seperate  from  said  Goffes- 
town  and  joined  in  future  to  said  Litchfield  for  the  purpose 
aforesaid. 

And  shall  ever  pray  &c — 

Jonathan  Russ')  q , 

John  Shelden  j-  ^ 
Samuel  Moor  ) 


John  Goffe 
John  Gofte  JuY 
John  Brown 
John  Griffin 
Benja  Baker 
Abraham  Meril 
John  Parham 
William  Parham 
Joseph  farmer 
Ezekeel  Stevens 


Charles  Emerson 
Daniel  Hall 
Theophles  griffin 
David  Merrell 
Joseph  Sanders 
James  Garman 
Piomas  Numan 
Joshua  Pierce 
William  Parham 
Ebenzeer  Stevenes 


Asael  Smith 
Nab  Merrel 
John  Griffin  J*" 
John  Harvel 
William  Gambel 
James  Peirce 
Enoch  Thurston 
George  Dwinell 
John  Hall 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted.  Derryfield  and 
Litchfield  were  classed  for  representative,  and  Goffstown 
sent  one  by  itself.  See  p.  33. — Ed.] 


[7-18]  \^Retur?t  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — Hillsborough  ss 

The  Return  of  the  Number  of  the  mail  Inhabent  of  the  town 
of  Derryfield  of  twenty  one  years  of  age  and  upards  paying 
Pole  Taxes  for  them  selves  is  sixty  tow 

Derry  field  December  y®  ^7^3 

Jonathan  Russ  \ Select  men 
Samuel  Moor  > of 
Joseph  Sanders  j Derryfield 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Hillsborough  ss 

Derryfield  December  15  Day  1783 — 

Personally  appeared  the  above  Named  Select  men  of  Derry- 
field and  Made  Solemn  Oath  to  the  above  Return  by  them 
Signed 

Before  me — 


John  Goffe  Justicie  Paces 


MANCHESTER. 


551 


{[7-19]  \_Relative  to  Sabbath- Breakmg^  7/(5^^.] 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  to  be 
convened  at  Portsmouth  upon  the  third  Wednesday  of  Octo- 
ber AD  1784 — 

The  petition  of  the  select  men  of  Derryfield  in  behalf  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  said  town,  humbly  sheweth — that  the  breach  of 
the  sabbath  is  become  so  frequent  that  few  hours  of  that  day 
passes  but  repeated  instances  of  it,  is  to  be  seen  upon  any  of 
our  public  roads.  Not  only  traveling  upon  foot  and  Horse  but 
driving  loaded  teams,  as  if  they  pursued  there  secular  busnes 
upon  that  day  with  more  alacrity  then  any  other.  A practice 
not  only  unjustifiable  but  the  day  is  not  fare  past  that  a single 
instance  of  it,  would  have  been  alarming  to  a whole  County, 
And  that  it  was  Expressly  the  command  of  the  Supreme  Being 
that  that  day  should  be  cearfuly  Observed — and  strictlv  injoined 
upon  those  who  holds  the  rains  of  civil  Goverment  to  punish 
the  aggressor  is  well  known  to  your  Honors.  And  the  act  of 
law  in  this  State  dos  not  point  out  the  duty  of  the  several  offi- 
cers so  accurately  nor  the  fine  so  high  as  your  petitioners  wdsh 
for.  But  we  look  up  to  you  who  are  our  political  fathers  who 
has  the  undouted  right  to  pass  all  Edicts  for  the  Good  of  the 
Subject,  to  pass  such  a law  as  will  more  Effectually  put  a stop 
to  those  vicious  practises — 

Wherefore  we  humbly  pray  your  Honors  to  pass  a new  act 
for  the  observing  of  that  day  and  the  dutey  of  every  officer 
clearly  pointed  out  and  they  strictly  injoined  to  see  that  the  law 
be  Observed,  the  fine  raised,  and  any  person  not  in  office  may 
stop  travellers  on  said  day.  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty 
bound  shall  ever  pray 

John  Hall  ] Select 
John  Goffe  | Men 


[7“2o]  \^Proportio7iment  of  Foreign^  Domestic^  and  State 
Debt  a77io7ig  the  I7ihabita7its^  ^7^7'  The  Su77ts  set  against 
each  7ta7ne  are  077iittedJ\ 


State  of  Newhampshire  County  of  Hillsborough 

Agreeable  to  a Requisition  of  the  General  Court  Wee  Have 
Proportioned  the  same  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Der- 
ryfield  which  is  as  follows 


Gene’  John  Stark 
Samuel  Stark 
Thomas  Whittiker 


John  Perham 
Bishop  Coston 
Cherls  Emerson 


Timothy  Stevens 
Jonathan  Stevens 
Hugh  Thompson 


552 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Nathan  Whittiker 
John  Ray 
Ephraim  Rollf 
David  Sessions 
John  Brown 
Israel  Brown 
Ezekiel  Stevens 
Benjamin  Stevens 
David  Merrill 
Nathaniel  Merrill 
Nathaniel  Baker 
Theophilus  Griffin 
Samuel  Smith 
Samuel  Smith  Juffi 
William  Nutt 
James  Nutt 
Enos  Webster 
Samuel  moor 
Ruben  moor 
John  goffe 
James  Garman 
Joshua  Brodget 
Thomas  Lancy 
Ceaser  Griffin 


Abijah  Emerson 
Peter  Emerson 
Moses  Davis 
Daniel  Davis 
John  Davis 
William  Perham 
John  Colwell  M*^- 
Neill 

Abraham  Amey 
James  Peirce 
Moses  Merril 
Green  Symonds 
Abel  Huse 
Isaac  Huse 
John  Little 
James  Little' 

John  Hall 
William  Hall 
Daniel  Hall 
Israel  Young 
Abraham  Merrill 
Ephraim  Stevens 
Ebenezer  Stevens 
Simeon  Stevens 


James  Thompson: 
John  Thompson 
Joseph  Farmer 
David  Rowel 
Samuel  Hilton 
David  Hammond 
George  Amey 
Samuel  Ayes 
Archabald  Gambel 
William  Gamble 
John  Dickey 
Luke  Withy 
John  Webster 
Israel  Webster 
David  Webster 
Asa  Heseltine 
Stephen  Pingree 
Edward  Clark  young 
Richard  Maberry 
Jonathan  Heseltine 
Abraham  Merrill 
Jun' 

John  Green 
John  Russ 


[7—21]  \^Petition  for  the  Appointment  of  a Committee  to 
settle  the  North  Line  of  the  Town^ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives 


The  Petition  of  the  Select  Men  of  Derryfield  Humbly  Shew- 
eth  that  their  hath  ben  Great  inconveniences  & Dammage 
Risen  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Derryfield  by  reason  of  their  being 
a Dispute  how  far  the  North  line  of  the  Town  Extends  up  the 
River  Merrimack — 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  prays  that  their  may  be  a Com- 
mittee appointed  by  your  Hono®  to  Determine  & Establish  the 
West  & North  lines  of  said  Derryfield — 

and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray — 


John  Ray 
John  green 
James  Thompson 


Select 

Men 


Derryfield  June  ^7^9 


MANXHESTER. 


553 


[ Vote  of  the  Town  relative  to  Tine.~\ 

Derryfield  May  4 Day  17S9 

At  a Meeting  of  the  freeholders  & other  Inhabitants  Leagully 
Convenied — 

Voted  &c  &c  (among  Other  Articles)  third  Article 

Voted  to  Petition  the  General  Court  to  Determine  the  West 
and  North  Lines  of  the  Town — 

Voted  Ensign  James  Thompson  to  Carry  the  Petition  to  the 
General  Court  and  to  have  it  Done — 

Recorded  this  fifth  Day  of  April  1789 

A True  Coppy  from  Derryfield  Second  Book  of  Records 

Examined  per  John  Gofie  Town  Clark 

Derryfield  June  i 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  12,  1789,  James  Betton,  Archibald 
McMurphy,  and  Zachariah  Chandler  were  appointed  “To 
ascertain  and  establish  the  lines  on  the  West  and  North  of 
said  Town,  and  report,”  which  they  did  as  follows  : — Ed.] 

In  the  house  of  Representatives  June  io‘^  1790* 

The  Committee  appointed  to  ascertain  and  establish  the  west 
and  north  lines  of  the  town  of  Derryfield,  reported  as  follows 
(Viz)  Pursuant  to  a vote  of  the  General  Court  directing  us  the 
subscribers  to  notify  the  Selectmen  of  Chester,  and  then  to  pro- 
ceed to  establish  and  ascertain  the  lines  on  the  west  and  north 
of  the  Town  of  Derryfield,  The  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of 
Chester  were  notified  and  attended  upon  the  day  of  June 
1789.  We  begun  at  a place  shewed  to  us,  to  be  the  bounds 
between  Litchfield  and  Derryfield,  from  thence  we  measured 
up  the  Merrimack  according  to  the  General  Course  of  the  same 
eight  miles,  and  there  we  placed  stake  and  stones,  from  thence 
east-south-east  about  about  one  mile  and  a half  to  some  marked 
trees  shewed  to  us  by  General  Starks,  and  he  said  it  was  Ches- 
ter line  ; from  thence  upon  the  same  course,  we  measured  two 
miles  and  an  half  and  fifty  two  rods,  and  placed  a stake  and 
stones,  which  is  the  north  east  corner  of  said  Town. 

Signed  James  Betton,  Archibald  McMurphy,  Zachariah 
Chandler, 

which  was  read  and  considered,  and  received  and  accepted, 

Sent  up  for  Concurrence 

Thos.  Bartlett  Speaker. 

In  Senate  the  same  day  read  and  concurred 

J.  Pearson  Sec’y 


554 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-25]  \^Petition  for  an  Incorporation  to  erect  a Bridge 
over  Merrimack  River ^ 77^2.] 

To  the  honorable  the  Senate  and  the  honorable  the  house  of 
Representatives  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire  in  General 
Court  convened 

Whereas  the  erecting  a bridge  over  Merrimack  river  below 
Amoskeig  falls  between  the  towns  of  Goffstown  and  Derryfield 
in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  would  be  of  great  public  utility 
The  Subscribers  humbly  pray  your  Honors  to  incorporate  them 
and  such  other  persons  as  may  associate  with  them  into  a so- 
ciety for  that  purpose  and  to  grant  them  liberty  to  build  a suit- 
able bridge  at  that  place  and  to  demand  and  receive  a reason- 
able toll  or  compensation  of  such  as  may  pass  the  same  and  to 
have  and  enjoy  such  privileges  and  immunities  as  are  requisite 
for  such  a society  and  to  your  Honors  shall  seem  meet  and  as 
in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 

June  nth  1792 

Robert  M^Gregore  NatH  Peabody  William  Blodget 

John  Langdon  Rich*^  Bartlett  James  Macgregore 

E Livermore  William  Bell  John  Smith 

Nath^  Adams 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted  at  that  session. — 
Ed.] 


[^7-24]  '[^Relative  to  Amoskeag  Bridge^  77^2.] 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 

General  Court  convened — 

Humbly  shew  the  Proprietors  of  Amoskeag-bridge  that  they 
have  at  great  expence  and  risk  erected  the  said  bridge  and  have 
expended  in  so  doing  the  sum  of  six  thousand  dollars,  which  is 
almost  double  the  sum  at  first  computed  and  expected  it  would 
cost — 

That  the  bridge  is  situate  a very  commodious  place  for  the 
public  convenience — and  is  in  fact  for  the  goodness  of  the  con- 
struction an  honor  to  the  State — The  mony  laid  out  by  your 
petitioners  in  building  said  bridge  has  greatly  benefited  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  vicinity — Your  petitioners  were  induced  to 
the  undertaking  of  the  aforesaid  business  in  the  presumption  no 
grant  would  be  made  so  near  as  to  interfere  with  their  emolu- 
ments granted  them  for  building  the  bridge — They  further  shew 
that  a grant  made  near  them  would  but  serve  to  injure  both 


MANCHESTER. 


555 


parties  and  but  little  benefit  would  accrue  to  the  public — They 
humbly  concieve  that  as  the  undertaking  has  proved  so  expen- 
sive and  is  even  now  hazardous — it  is  an  enterprize  which  in- 
titles them  to  the  smiles — not  the  frowns  of  the  public — They 
are  perfectly  willing  (lest  any  one  should  apprehend  they  are 
realizing  a large  property  by  the  Grant)  to  give  up  or  release 
to  the  State  their  estate  in  the  bridge,  upon  a reimbursement  of 
the  money  by  them  expended  and  a reasonable  compensation 
for  their  extra  trouble  and  expence — this  they  conceive  must 
silence  all  objections  to  their  motives  being  patriotic  and  for 
the  public  good — Upon  all  these  considerations  they  think  they 
have  a just  right  to  make  this  reasonable  request — which  is  that 
Your  Honors  would  secure  to  the'm  that  previlege  which  they 
before  building  the  bridge  apprehended  they  had  viz  that  no 
other  bridge  should  be  erected  so  as  to  interfere  with  or  injure 
their  dear  earned  property — Wherefore  they  most  humbly  pray 
Your  Honors  that  you  would  grant  them  liberty  to  bring  in  a 
bill  to  secure  to  them  their  heirs  assigns  the  exclusive  previlege 
so  far  that  no  toll  bridge,  shall  be  granted  upon  Merrimack 
river  within  ten  miles  of  said  bridge — nor  any  such  bridge  be 
erected  within  such  limits  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray— 

Exeter  Dec  19  1792 

Robert  M'^Gregore  J T.  Gilman  NatU  Peabody 

Nath^  Adams  Jolm  Peirce  Rich‘S  Bartlett 

Ed  S‘Loe  Livermore  J : Macgregore 

In  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  other  Proprietors — 


[7-26]  \_Petition  for  a Grant  of  Land^  ijg4.~\ 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  convened  at  Exeter  on  the  forth 
Wednesday  of  December  AD  1793 — 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers  citizens  of  said  State  humbly 
sheweth.  That  Your  petitioners  have  an  intention  of  begining 
a settlement  in  some  uncultivated  part  of  the  Cuntry  and  On 
enquiry  find  that  they  could  be  Accommodated  with  lands  in 
several  of  the  States,  or  in  the  Neighbouring  Goverment  of 
Canada  on  very  Moderate  terms,  but  as  they  have  a particular 
affection  for  their  Native  State  and  an  entire  satisfaction  in  its 
constitution  and  Goverment  would  Greatly  prefer  a settlement 
therein,  and  as  the  support  of  the  State  Greatly  depends  upon 
Agriculture  we  think  that  Cultivating  the  wilderness  will  ad  to 
her  welth  number  of  Inhabitance  and  Respectability,  and  Your 
petitioners  having  been  informed  that  there  is  in  the  northerly 


556 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


part  of  this  state  a tract  of  unlocated  Lands  and  conceiving’ 
that  it  might  be  advantageous  to  the  state  to  dispose  of  said 
Lands  to  persons  who  would  make  immediat  settlement  there- 
on, and  likewise  that  it  would  be  to  the  advantage  of  Your 
petitioners  to  obtain  a Grant  of  part  of  said  Lands  on  reason- 
able terms — 

Your  petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  Your  Honors  would 
Grant  and  confirm  to  them  a tract  of  Land  eight  Miles  Square 
(without  lakes  or  ponds  being  included  in  the  Measure)  some 
place  where  it  will  be  Most  convenient  and  joining  on  the 
Grants  that  has  been  made  on  which  Your  petitioners  will 
make  a settlement  as  soon  as  may  be  and  either  Give  a reason- 
able consideration  therefore  or  on  any  Other  conditions  as  your 
honors  in  Your  Great  wisdom  shall  think  best,  And  Your  pe- 
tioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray — 

Derry  field  February  the  3''^  ^794 


John  Stark 
John  Harvey 
david  Harvey 
Jonas  Harvey 
John  Harvey  Ju 
Daniel  Hall 
Samel  Hall 
John  Flail  the  3^ 
Jonathan  Greely 
Daniel  Hall  JuiF 
Enos  Webster 
David  Webster 
Jonathan  Palmer 
Theophilus  Griffen 
James  Griffen 
John  griffen 
James  Nutt 
Samuel  Nutt 
Elijah  Allen  Nutt 
Joseph  Moors 
William  Walker 
William  Parham 


Samuel  Moors 
Nathaniel  merrill 
hesekiah  youngh 
Ezekiel  Stevens 
isaaC  Stevens 
Benjan  Stevens 
Winthrop  Bradbury 
David  Marsh 
Joseph  Farmer 
Juner 

William  Farmer 
John  Stark 
Charles  Stark 
John  Stark  J*" 

John  Ray 
Ezekiel  Gardener 
Job  Rowell 
John  Tufts 
William  Stevens 
David  Stevens 
Jonathan  Starks 


Archibald  Starks 
William  Gamel 
Archibald  Gamel 
Israel  young 
Zebedee  Rowell 
John  Stinson 
Isaac  Rowell 
Asa  Hesetine  Juff 
James  Masury 
Peter  Severance 
Joseph  Little 
Abel  Huse 
Isaac  Huse 
John  parham 
John  parham  Juner 
Robert  moor 
William  moor 
William  Parham  Jur 
David  Rowell 
John  Gilmore 
Israel  Webster 


[y-27]  \^Petition  to  have  a Gore  of  Land  incorporated  with 

Derr yf  eld ^ //py.] 

To  the  Honorable  senate  and  House  of  Representatives  to  be 
convened  at  Hanover  upon  the  first  Wednesday  in  June  AD 

^795- 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers  humbly  sheweth  that  there  is 


MANCHESTER. 


557 


a tract  or  Gore  of  Land  Lying  between  Chester  and  Derryfield, 
upon  which  some  of  your  petitioners  now  live,  said  land  was 
formerly  supposed  to  belong  to  Derryfield  but  the  lines  being 
assertained  we  find  it  otherways. 

Wherefore — 

We  your  petitioners  belonging  to  the  said  Town  of  Derry- 
field and  said  Gore  unitedly  pray  your  Honours  that  we  may 
be  incorporated  into  one  body  politick,  And  your  petitioners  as 
in  duty  Shall  ever  pray 

Derryfield  June  ^795 

Daniel  Davis  ) select  men  of 
John  parham  j Derryfield 


Samuel  Stark 
James  Emerson 
Abel  Huse 
David  Rowell 
Daniel  Hall 
Stephen  Pingry 
Israel  young 
Ezekiel  Stevens 
benjamin  Heseltine 
Charls  Emerson 


John  Dickey 
Theos  Griften 
William  Nutt 
Ebenezer  Stevens 
William  White 
NatlP^  Baker 
James  Nutt 
Israel  Webster 
John  perham  jr 
Samuel  Hall 


John  Hall — Junior 
Elijah  A Nutt 
Samuel  Nutt 
Hezekiah  young 
John  Webster 
David  Webster 
John  Webster  junior 
Amos  Webster 
William  Perham 


[Granted  June  i6,  1795. — Ed.] 


[7-28]  \_Sa??iuel  Blodgett  for  a Charter  to  construct  a Ca- 
nal arotmd  Amosheag  Falls ^ 

To  the  honorable  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  the  Petition  of  Samuel  Blodget 
most  respectfully  sheweth, — 

That  a spirit  of  enterprize  and  exertion  has  of  late  been 
wonderfully  and  successfully  displayed  by  the  citizens  of  a 
neighbouring  State  in  the  erection  of  bridges  and  forming  of 
canals,  even  in  places,  which,  not  many  years  since,  were 
esteemed  impracticable — that  a canal  round  Patucket  falls  is 
nearly  compleated — that  another  leading  from  said  falls  to  Bos- 
ton, by  a rout  not  exceeding  twenty  miles,  will  be  commenced 
next  spring — that  a third  carried  round  the  falls  at  Amoskeag 
would,  in  conjunction  with  these,  open  a direct  water-commu- 
nication with  Boston  & Newburyport  to  the  inhabitants  of  an 
extensive  country  on  the  banks  of  the  Merrimac  above  said 
falls,  the  wood  and  timber  of  whose  forests  are  now  of  incon- 
siderable value,  occasioned  principally  by  the  loss  of  immense 
quantities  of  lumber  of  the  most  valuable  kind  in  passing  over 


558 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  falls  ; a melancholy  proof  of  which  they  at  all  times  exhibit 
— that  your  petitioner  is  fully  convinced  that  the  whole  of  this 
loss  may  be  prevented  by  a canal — that  under  this  conviction 
he  has  purchased  the  only  piece  of  ground  over  which  one  is 
practicable — & has  actually  entered  upon  the  enterprize,  with 
an  intention  to  risque  his  fortune  in  accomplishing  a work  of 
so  much  public  utility — Your  petitioner,  therefore,  relying  on 
the  public  spirit  of  the  honorable  Court,  requests  that  vour 
honors  will  take  the  premises  into  consideration,  and  grant  him 
a Charter,  by  which  he  may  be  secured  in  the  peaceable  enjoy- 
ment of  the  valuable  property,  which  he  is  about  to  invest  in 
the  proposed  canal — & assign  him  a reasonable  toll  to  com- 
pensate him  for  his  services  ; & give  him  leave  to  bring  in  a bill 
accordingly. 

And  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

Sam^^  Blodget — 

[Granted  Jan.  2,  1794. — Ed.] 


[7-29]  \^Petition  for  Legislation  to  protect  JFish  in  Cokas 

Brooks  I7g7i\ 


To  the  honorable  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  for  the 
state  of  Newhampshire  Convened  at  Concord  June  1797 


The  petition  of  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Derryfield,  Humbly  shoeth  that  where  as  it  appears  to  us  that 
the  Alwives  in  the  great  Cohash  brook  (so  Called)  in  said  Der- 
ryfield would  be  of  Considerable  Consequence  if  some  further 
regulations  were  had  for  the  preservation  of  them  Wherefore 
w’e  your  Petitioners  pray  your  to  pass  an  Act  that  no  alwives 
may  be  Caught  killed  or  destroyed  on  any  day  or  at  any  time 
within  Thirty  rods  of  the  mouth  of  said  brook  nor  within  five 
rods  of  any  milldam  or  since  way  on  said  brook,  under  the 
same  penalty  as  is  by  Law  now  affixed  for  ketching  said  fish 
on  any  unlawfull  day — 

and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  Pray 


Stephen  Pingry 
Asa  Haseltine 
Asa  Hesseltine  J 
David  Heseltine 
Israel  Webster 
John  Dickey 
David  Young 
thomas  Cheney 
Ebenr  Corning 
Philip  heseltine 


Moses  merrill 
John  Webster 
David  Webster 
Amos  Webster 
John  Webster 
John  Buswell 
Larence  Burkley 
Abel  Huse 
Benj  Haseltine 
John  Dickey  Jr 


Arch‘d  Gammel 
Charls  Emerson 
Peter  Emerson 
Richard  Hardy 
William  Perham 
Isaac  Huse 
David  Flint 
David  Flint  Jur 
Daniel  Davis 


MANCHESTER. 


559 


[7~3®]  \_Blodgetf s Canal, 

The  Hon'*  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 

Court  convened  at  Concord  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  Nov' 
1798— 

The  petition  of  Sam"  Blodget  of  Derryfield  humbly  shew- 
eth — 

That  your  petitioner  hath  expended  more  than  Thirty  Thou- 
sand Dollors  in  cutting  a Canal  erecting  Dams,  Locks,  Mills, 
&c.  on  his  own  Land  near  Amoskeag  Falls  which  is  nearly 
finished  and  will  of  course  in  a few  years  be  a great  benifit  to 
the  public,  as  a property  of  this  kind  requires  a particular 
attention  both  as  to  regulation  of  Toll  as  well  as  security  of 
property  and  the  keeping  up  a good  understanding  with  whom 
he  may  have  to  do — 

Your  Petitioner  humbly  prays  that  he  may  with  those  he 
shall  sell  to  be  made  a Corporate  body  politic  by  the  name  of 
the  proprietor  or  proprietors  of  Blodgets  Canal — and  your  Pe- 
titioner as  in  duty  bound  will  pray — 

Sam"  Blodget — 


[7—31]  \^Petition  for  the  hicorporation  of  a Company  to 
construct  a Canal  from  Merrimack  River  to  Massabesic 
Pond,  //pp.] 

To  the  Honorable  General  Court  now  sitting  at  Concord, 
Humbly  Shews, 

The  Undersigned,  that  opening  a water  Communication  from 
the  westerly  part  of  Massabesick  Pond,  so  called,  to  Merrimack 
Ri  ver,  by  the  way  of  great  Cohass  Brook,  by  cutting  a Canal, 
and  making  locks  on  certain  Falls,  and  making  the  same  Navi- 
gable for  Boats  and  Rafts,  would  be  of  Public  Utility,  as  there 
is  a large  Tract  of  uncultivated  Land  ajoining  said  Pond  ; the 
Timber  of  which  might  become  valuable  ; & would  also  greatly 
facilitate  the  Transportation  of  Country  Produe  to  the  Sea  Port 
Towns  for  Market.  Your  petitioners  therefore  pray,  that  they 
with  such  others  as  may  become  Proprietors  with  them,  be  In- 
corporated into  a Body  Politic  and  Corporate  for  the  purpose 
of  Canaling  and  opening  said  water  Communication,  & that 
they  have  Leave  to  take  a certain  Rate  of  Tolage  to  reimburse 
their  Expendatures  ; and  that  the  same  be  granted  under  such 
Regulations  & Restrictions  as  you  in  your  VVisdorn  shall  think 
propper,  and  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  Pray. 

Dated  Chester  June  3*'  1799 — 

Joseph  Blanchard  Ezekiel  H : Kelly  Samuel  Emery 

W™  I Folsom  James  Orr  Daniel  Emery 


56o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  Folsom 
John  Melvin 
Alexander  Sherley 
James  Sherley 


Amos  Kent 
John  Wingate 
John  Weson 
Paul  Adams 


Josiah  Underhill 
Benjamin  Adams 
Samul  Sharley 


[Dec.  28,  1805,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Derryfield,  in  their  corporate  capacity,  to  construct 
locks  on  Cohas  brook  to  facilitate  the  passage  of  lumber. — 
Ed.] 


[7-33]  \_Petition  for  Authority  to  raise  Money  by  Lottery  to 

complete  the  Ca?ial^  77pp.] 

The  Hon.  the  Senate  & House  of  Representatives,  for  the  State 

of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  assembled,  on  the 

first  Wednesday,  of  the  present  month,  of  December,  A.  D 

U99v 

The  petition  of  Samuel  Blodget  of  Derryfield  in  said  State 
Humbly  shews — that  your  petitioner,  many  years  since  saw 
that  Nature  had  declared  in  favour  of  an  inland  Navigation  into 
the  Interior  parts  of  this  State,  which  Now  abounds  with 
Masts,  Yards,  Timber,  Wood,  and  all  kinds  of  Lumber,  which 
is  beyond  Calculation,  the  Lands  are  fertile,  and  the  Inhabitants 
Numerous,  they  abound  in  Cattle,  and  all  other  produce  in 
abundance,  all  which  are  in  great  Demand,  in  our  Sister  States, 
but  the  Great  distance,  the  Obstructions,  and  Impediments,  so 
many,  that  the  inhabitants,  derive  but  Small  advantages,  at 
present  from  these  goodly  Lands,  and  must  Continue  So  untill 
Art  Embraces  Nature,  Your  Petitioner  Early  saw  this,  that  an 
inland  Navigation  would  of  Course  take  place,  Your  petition- 
er, Anxtious  for  the  happy  day  Chearfully  began  this  great  un- 
dertaking, Although,  in  the  Eve  of  Life,  your  petitioner  deter- 
mined, that  Neither  age,  or  the  dread  of  Fatigue,  should  deter 
him  from  this  pleasing  & usefull  Project,  Accordingly  on  the 
first  day  of  April  i793*  He  began  this  great  Work,  of  Canal- 
ing  & Locking  Amoskeig-Falls,  on  which  heretofore,  much 
property,  has  been  lost,  they  are  Still  A great  Barrier,  to  im- 
mense property,  at  this  Moment,  theirfore  it  is  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  the  inhabitants  of  these  states,  that  these  Impedi- 
ments be  removed,  in  attempting  this  Enterprise,  Your  Peti- 
tioner has  Spared,  no  pains,  or  property  to  Effect  it,  he  has 
Already  expended  thirty  five  thousand  Dollars  in  this  Work, — 
but  in  the  Course  of  unforeseen  Events,  Such  times  has  taken 
place,  that  No  right  Calculation  Could  be  made,  & in  the  event 


MANCHESTER.  561 

Exceeded  much  beyond  his  expectation,  theirfore,  to  Compleat 
this  great  design,  it  will  Require, 

Nine  Thousand  Dollars,  as  appears  by  a Late  Survey  of  Col. 
Baldwins. — when  these  Canals,  are  Compleat.  the  Inhabitants 
of  these  states,  will  of  Course  receive  the  greatest  advantage  by 
them.  Your  Petitioner  has  had  Recourse  to  his  friends  in  the 
Common-Wealth  of  Massachusetts  for  assistance,  but  without 
affect,  yet  Nevertheless  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  & Newbury- 
Port.  are  not  insensible  of  the  great  advantage  that  will  derive, 
as  well  to  the  Poor  as  to  the  Rich,  especially  in  the  Article  of 
Wood,  which  at  present,  is  at  high  price  in  those  Tov/ns. 
theirfore  all  Classes  have  an  Interest  in  the  Canals,  and  they 
have  their  wishes  that  may  they  be  finished — and  would  most 
Chearfully  Come  forward,  by  way  of  a Lottery,  to  finish  it — 
Your  Petitioner,  has  Such  Assurance  from  many  Respectable 
Affluent  Characters,  as  well  as  those  in  a more  humble.  State. 
Both  in  Boston  ; Newbury-Port,  as  leaves  him.  not  the 

least  Doubtfull  that  if  your  Honors  should  please  to  grant  him 
One,  for  the  purposes,  herein  Requested,  being  fully  assured, 
those  Tickets  in  the  Sale  would  be  ye  most  Rapid,  (and  with 
much  Defierence  believe  them  to  be  more  So,)  than  any.  here- 
tofore offer’d  to  the  publick,  Theirfore  Your  Petitioner,  Most 
Humbly  prays  that  Since  he  has  taken  Such  pains,  as  well  as 
the  great  Expence,  heretofore  mentioned  of  thirty  fiv^e  thousand 
Dollars,  already,  and  is  desirous  to  Compleat  it,  and  to  Open  A 
Most  Valuable  and  extensive,  well  Inhabitated  Countrv ; 
abounding  with  Cattle,  and  produce,  in  Abundance,  by  which 
an  inland  Navigation,  of  Trade,  & Commerce  will  thrive  and 
flourish,  between  the  Inhabitants  of  this,  and  Our  Sister  States  ; 
Interest,  & advantage,  to  a Very  great  Amount — theirfore  in 
Consideration  of  this  great  Expence — Your  Humble  Petitioner 
has  Expended,  in  the  premises  affbresaid.  Which  is  unfinished 
— he  theirfore  humbly  Solicits  your  Honors  Aid,  to  grant  him 
A Lottery,  to  finish  the  same,  in  Consideration,  that,  when 
Compleated,  will  arise  every  advantage  that  an  Inland  Naviga- 
tion to  the  States.  Can  Suggest,  and  in  as  much  as  his  Friends 
in  the  Common  Wealth  of  Massachusetts,  So  much  Request  it 
or  Otherwise,  to  grant  him  Such  aid  as  will  Enable  him  to 
Compleat.  and  finish  the  work,  as  in  your  great  Wisdom  Shall 
Seem  Meet, — and  as  in  duty  Bound  will  ever  pray — 

Sam'’  Blodget 

Derryfield  7^'^  December  1799. 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  December  21,  1799,  the  foregoing  peti- 
tion was  granted. — Ed.] 

3S 


\ 


562  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[7-34J  "[^Relative  to  Locks  and  Canals  on  Merrimack  River y 

etcC^ 

Within  a few  Years  past  Inland  Navigation.  Seems  to  be  the 
Spirit  of  Enterprise,  the  great  & Arduous,  undertaking,  to  cutt 
the  Middlesex  Canal,  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  from  Bos- 
ton to  Merrimack  River,  Through  an  Inland  Country  of  Thirty 
Miles  has  been  the  work  of  many  Years,  the  Compleating  of 
this  great  Work,  has  been  doubted  by  some,  but  he  assured,  the 
Most  dificult  part  of  these  Works  are  finished,  and  Others  in 
great  forwardness,  this  Work  is  Executed,  in  a Manner,  that 
would  do  Honor  to  One  of  the  first  European  Characters  in  thi& 
Line,  in  A word,  the  Works  are  So  Nearly  finished,  that  it 
leavs  No  doubt  in  my  Mind,  of  its  being  Compleated  the  Next 
Season,  this  Canal,  enters  Merrimack-River,  a little  above  Pe- 
tucket  Falls  from  thence,  up  the  Said  River,  29  Miles,  to  Am- 
oskiege — these  Falls,  are  47  feet  3 Inches  5 Tenth  Fall,  & are 
the  Key  of  the  great  Country  above  them,  the  Locking  of 
Which,  has  been  underken  by  M*"  Blodget,  who  has  Expended 
35000  Dollars  in  this  Enterprise,  by  A late  Survey  of  Colonel 
Baldwin,  it  will  Cost  9000  Dollars  more  to  Compleat  this  great 
Work,  According  to  his  late  survey,  the  Next  Falls  above,  is 
eight  Miles  from  M*' Blodgets  Canal,  the  next  is,  4 Miles  farther 
up.  Called,  Garvins  Falls,  Charters  are  granted  for  Locking 
them  Both,  & the  Toll  fixed,  & its  Supposed  4000  Dollars  will 
Lock  them,  Turkey  River,  & Sewals,  are  the  Only  Falls, 
above,  untill  we  reach  Salisbury,  they  are  Small,  & it  is  Sup- 
posed will  not  Exceed,  600  Dollars  to  Compleat  them,  these 
being  finished.  Navigation,  will  be  compleat  up  as  far  as  Salis- 
bury, 100  miles  from  Boston,  the  Other  Small  Falls,  between 
the  Middlesex,  & M*"  Blodgets  Canal,  will  be  soon  Locked,  & 
Cleared,  So  as  to  make  it  Navigable  for  Boats,  in  the  Shoalest. 
Water,  in  the  Summer-Season,  from  Salisbury,  to  Boston,  when 
all  these  are  Compleated,  the  advantage  of  Inland-Navigation 
will  take  place,  which  will  be  beyond  discription,  these  advant- 
ages, will  not  so  readily  Occur,  to  every  One  at  the  first  View, 
theirfore  it  will  not  be  Amiss  to  mention.  Some  of  them,  the 
first  is — 

upon  the  Subject  of  Beef-Cattle,  the  great  Loss  that  attends 
the  Driving  them  from  A great  distance  to  Market,  Report 
Says  that  their  ware  7000  Head  of  beef  Cattle,  drove  from  the 
States  of  New-Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  the  present.  Year, 
into  Boston  and  Other  Market-Towns,  upon  Supposition  of  its 
fact,  the  Charge  & Expence  for  driving  7000  at  7 /6  onely 
Amounts  to  Doll.  — — — — ^^75*^ 

Supposing  Each  Creature,  lost  or  Wasted,  by  long 
& Tedious  driving,  on  an  Average,  30  lb  Tallow, 


MANCHESTER. 


563 


or  in  the  Juices  of  the  Beef,  equivalent  to  it,  this 

at  9*^  p*"  lb  amounts  to — Dollars — 24,500 

Dol  33,250 

I am  told  by  Some,  that  I have  rated  this  loss 
two  low,  however  that  may  be,  this  sum,  is 
great,  and  is  A Total  Loss  to  the  publick,  as 
well  as  to  the  Owners  of  the  Cattle,  & Ought 
to  be  remided. — and  this  Can  be  done,  as  will 
more  readily  appear,  by  the  following  Statement ; 

Supposing.  7000  Cattle  ware  Killed  and  Salted 
in  Barrels,  put  up  fit  for  Market,  even  as  far 
up  as  Sanborntown,  100  miles  from  Boston,  each 
Neating  400  lb  and  is  two  Barrels,  this  takes 
1 4000  Barrels,  to  salt  7000  Cattle,  these  being 
Manufactured,  Near  the  place  of  Slaughter, 
will  Cost  but  fifty  Cents  each,  and  amounts  to  Doll,  7^000 
& will  take  14000  Bushels  of  Salt,  at  One  Bushel 
p^  Barrel,  the  Freight,  from  Boston,  to  Sanborn- 
town, is  established — and  does  not  exceed  15/  p*" 

Ton,  which  is  8 Cents  p*"  Bushel  this  amounts  to  1,120 

The  freight  & Toll,  on  14000  Barrels  of  Beef,  from 
Sanborntown  to  Boston,  at  15  / p*"  Ton,  ten  Barrels 
to  A Ton,  is  25  Cents  Each,  and  is  Dollars  3,500 

added — $i  1,620 

here  is  the  first  Cost  of  the  Barrels,  the  expence 
of  the  Transportation,  of  the  Salt  from  Boston  ; to 
Salt  the  Beef  With,  and  the  freight  of  the  Beef, 

Safely  landed  in  Boston  Market,  and  all  amounts 

to  no  more  than  Dollars  11,620 

these  Barrels,  Although  full  of  Beef,  will  Sell  for 

6/  Each  Amounts  to  14,000 

the  1 1,620$  being  deducted  ; leaves  Neat  profits  on 

the  Manufactory  of  our  own  Doll.  2,380 

and  Makes  A saving  of  33,250  Dollars — 33? 250 

which  would  be  lost  by  driving  7000.  Cattle  to  Market, 

Total  35,  630 

by  this  Statement  it  appears,  that  these  Cattle,  Can,  be  Salt- 
ed and  Barreled,  in  prime  Order,  in  the  Country  100  miles 
from  Boston,  and  Transported  to  that  Market,  by  Water,  with- 
out the  least  loss  or  waste  of  Beef  or  Tallow,  Trouble,  or  Fa- 
tigue in  driving  them,  but  will  receive  a Neat  profit,  as  above 
mentioned  on  the  Casks  of  — — — Dollars  2,380$ 

in  favour  of  the  drovers  ; — thus  far  upon  the  Article  of  Beef. — 
it  is  however.  Still  worthy  of  Notice,  that  the  Hides  of  these 


564 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Cattle.  Ought  to  be  Computed  among  the  Advantages,  result- 
ing from  Our  Inland  Navigation,  7000  hides  Manufactured,  in 
this  State  at  9/  is  — — — — Doll.  10,500 

the  Loss  is  great  to  the  Inhabitants,  here  to  have  So  Large  A 
Number,  of  Cattle  drove  from  this  State  and  their  Hides.  Man- 
ufactured, at  Our  Expence,  because  wee  have  to  repurchas 
them  again,  after  they  Are  Manufactured,  in  another  advantage, 
readily  Occurs  to  me,  is,  in  the  Article  of  Wood,  the  freight, 
Toll,  &®,  are  Considered  at  15  / per  Cord,  from  Salisbury,  into 
Boston,  if  to  Newbury-Port.  7/  at  this  Rate,  if  the  high  price 
that.  Wood  Now  is.  which  is  8 dolh®  p*^  Cord  at  Boston  & 6^ 
Dollars,  in  Newbury-Port,  (wood  is  now  9^  DoP  in  Boston  & 
8 in  Newbury  Port)  should  Continue  the  advantage,  to  the  In- 
habitants of  this  State,  is  Incalculable,  Especially  if  wee  take 
into  Consideration,  the  Articles  of  Timber,  Masts,  Plank,  and 
all  Other  kinds  of  Lumber,  (when  an  Inland  Navigation.  Runs 
through  Such  an  Extensive  Country,)  the  Lands,  must  Settle 
Rappidly,  as  well  to  increase  in  Value  to  Millions  of  Dollors, 
A Calculation  was  made  in  Boston,  by  Gentlemen,  of  Informa- 
tion, Viz.  that  if  this  Inland,  Navigation,  had  been  Opened, 
last  Spring,  it  would  have  been  the  saving  to  the  inhabitants 
of  Boston,  in  the  Article,  of  Wood  Only, — of  more  than 
60000  Dollars,  the  present  year,  and  it  is  Supposed  15000 
Dollars  to  Newbury-Port. — Query — would  it  not  have  been  as 
advantageous  to  the  Sellers,  as  to  the  Buyers  of  Wood, — Other 
great  advantages  may  be  Calculated  from  this  Inland  Naviga- 
tion but  this  is  left  for  time  to  Discover — Suppose  A Person  in 
Boston  consumes  20  Cords  of  Wood,  Annually,  at  the  price  of 
6 Dollars  p’'  Cord — is  — — — Dollars.  120 

When  the  Canal  is  Opened  Wood  is  5 Dollars — 100 

then  20  Cord,  is  a Saving  to  the  purchacer  at 

this  Reduced  price  — — — Dollars  20 

and  as  long  as  the  reduced  price  of  Wood,  Continues,  of  One 
dollar  p’’  Cord,  p’’  year.  So  that  if  he  advances  20  Dollars  One 
Year,  and  the  Canals,  are  opened  & in  Opperation,  in  Conse- 
quence of  it,  he  then  recovers  100  per  Cent,  p*"  Annum,  for  the 
Money  be  advanced,  and  Suppose.  20  Dollars  are  advanced, 
and  he  purchased  A Ticket  with  it,  in  the  Lottery,  which  is 
granted  for  the  finishing  of  the  Canal,  he  has  a Chance  of  the 
highest,  or  Some  Other  prize — if  they  should  be  all  drawn 
Blanks,  he  has  Still  his  100  p*"  Cent,  p*"  Annum  for  his  Money, 
and  So  long  as  Wood  remains  at  the  reduced  price  of  one  Dol- 
lar p^  Cord, — for  the  Money  he  advanced, — Simular  advant- 
ages, will  be  received  by  all  Owners,  & Drovers  of  Cattle,  to 
the  saving  of  the  large  Sum  of  40,000  Dollars  Annually  on  the 
Article  of  Beef,  as  has  been  heretofore  Mentioned  all  Other 


MANCHESTER. 


565 


persons,  in  proportion,  to  their  Interest  and  Concerns  in  this 
Inland  Navigation, — the  Banks  of  the  Merrimack  Anticipates, 
the  happy  days,  when  Trade  an  Commerce  will  flourish  be- 
yond Our  Most  Sanguine  Expectations,  Which  Time  Only  can 
Develope. — 


[7-38]  \_Another  Petition  for  the  Protection  of  Pish  in  Co- 

has  Brook^  i8oo.~\ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Convened  at  Concord  on  the  first  wedensday 
of  June  AD — iSoo — 


The  petition  of  us  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  Derryfield 
and  the  adjacent  towns  humbly  sheweth — That 

Formerly  Great  numbers  of  Alewives  resorted  to,  and  passed 
up,  the  stream  known  by  the  name  of  Cohass-Brook  that  leads 
from  Massabeesick  Pond  to  the  river  Merrimac.  And  for 
many  years  the  Inhabitants  of  this  and  the  adjacent  towns  drew 
ample  supplies  of  these  fish  from  the  aforesaid  Brook  ; until  by 
means  of  Mill  dams,  erected  across  said  stream,  their  passage 
to  the  aforesaid  Pond  was  wholly  obstructed.  But  application 
being  made  to  the  Honorable  General  Court,  they  with  cheer- 
fulness and  alacrity  caused  the  aforesaid  Obstructions  to  be  re- 
moved, and  from  time  to  time  passed  such  acts  as  were  judged 
best  calculated  to  cause  the  returen  and  preservation  of  said 
fish  ; the  salutary  effects  of  which  are  now  plainly  perceived  by 
the  return  of  the  fish  to  their  wonted  stream.  But  the  water 
falls  so  rapidly  for  nearly  thirty  rods  previously  to  its  junction 
with  the  river  Merrimac  as  to  render  it  convenient  for  fishing 
with  dip  or  scoop  nets  ; and  unless  the  Public  are  prohibited 
from  fishing  at  the  aforesaid  rapids,  no  considerable  number  of 
fish  will  ever  pass  them.  And  doubts  have  arisen  whether  the 
fifteen  rods  from  the  mouth  of  said  Brook  and  the  five  rods 
from  the  Mill  dam,  as  now  by  Law  established,  will  cover  the 
said  rapids — 

Wherefore  your  petitioners  humbly  pray  Your  Honors  would 
pass  an  act  to  prohibit  the  fishery  for  forty  instead  of  fifteen 
rods  from  the  mouth  of  said  Brook.  And  as  in  duty  bound  do 
piay— 


John  Stark 
John  Stark  Jr 
Daniel  Hall 
Abel  Huse 
Isaac  Huse 


Philip  heseltine 
Stephen  Heseltine 
Asa  Haseltine 
Stephen  Pingre 
John  parham 


John  Webster 
Israel  Webster 
David  Webster 
John  Webster  Ju 
Amos  Webster 


566 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  heseltine 
Jonathan  Haseltine 
Asa  Haeltine  Junr 
Mulford  Phillips 
David  Rowell 
William  White 
Sam^  Abbot 
Joseph  young 
Daniel  Hall  Jr 
EbeiP  Stevens 
thomas  Cheney 
Moses  merrill 


Israel  young 
Josiah  Huse 
Job  Rowell 
Hezekiah  young 
Peter  Emerson 
James  young 
David  Flint 
William  Perham 
Jonathan  young 
David  Dicky 
Philip  Heseltine  J 
Moses  Heseltine 


John  Dickey  Jur 
David  Heseltine 
Timothy  Dustine 
Nathaniel  Merrill 
Jacob  Smith 
James  Major 
Richard  Hardy 
Stephen  Chancy 
James  Arwine 
Thomas  hardy 
/■Jonathan  Stephens 


MARLBOROUGH. 

The  township  was  granted  May  20,  1752,  by  Joseph 
Blanchard,  as  agent  for  the  Masonian  Proprietors,  to  James 
Morrison  and  thirty-three  others,  by  the  name  of  Monadnock 
No.  5.  Many  of  the  proprietors  and  settlers  came  from  Marl- 
borough, Mass.,  and  the  town  was  unofficially  called  New 
Marlborough  for  some  years  prior  to  its  incorporation, 
which  occurred  December  13,  1776,  at  which  time  it  receiv- 
ed its  present  name. 

A township  by  the  same  name  was  granted  by  Gov.  Pen- 
ning Wentworth,  April  29,  1751,  to  Timothy  Dwight  and 
others,  which  was  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  pres- 
ent state  of  Vermont.  That  charter,  being  on  record  in  the 
secretary’s  office  in  this  state,  misled  John  Farmer  into  ap- 
plying it  to  the  New  Hampshire  town  ; and  subsequent 
writers,  who  copied  from  him  instead  of  consulting  the 
original  records,  have  been  led  into  the  same  error. 

Settlements  were  commenced  in  town  about  1760  by 
Abel  Woodward,  Benjamin  Tucker,  Daniel  Goodenough, 
and  others. 

By  an  act  approved  January  8,  1794,  a small  tract  of 
land  was  severed  from  Swanzey,  and  annexed  to  this  town. 

December  9,  1812,  two  ranges  of  lots,  and  a certain  gore 
of  land  on  the  north  end  of  the  town,  were  combined  with 
portions  of  Packersfield  (Nelson)  and  Keene,  and  incorpor- 
ated into  the  town  of  Roxbury. 

The  formation  of  the  town  of  Troy,  June  23,  1815,  took  a 


MARLBOROUGH.  56/ 

portion  of  this  town,  and  portions  of  Fitzwilliam,  Swanzey, 
and  Richmond. 

June  13,  1818,  Joel  Porter,  Phinehas  Farrar,  Jr.,  and  Ezra 
Porter,  with  their  estates,  were  severed  from  the  town  of 
Dublin,  and  annexed  to  Marlborough. 

A small  tract  of  land  belonging  to  William  Tenney  and 
Luther  Hemingway  was  severed  from  the  north-east 
corner  of  Swanzey,  and  annexed  to  Marlborough,  December 
15,  1842. 

Among  the  Revolutionary  soldiers  from  this  town  was 
Lieut.  Col.  Andrew  Colburn,  who  was  killed  at  Stillwater 
in  September,  1777. 


i[7-i]  \_Petition  for  an  Act  of  Incorporation^  ^775'\ 

Monadnock  N°  five  Jun  f 24  1775 

to  the  Hon^  members  of  the  Congris  at  Exeter  A Request 
from  the  inhabantans  of  monadnock  No  five  Humbeiiy  shows 
that  whare  as  this  Town  is  Not  in  Corparated  and  by  that 
meanes  Never  had  aney  Town  stock  of  Ammonishon  of  ponder 
and  ball  and  are  not  in  aney  proper  Cappasetv  to  Rais  money 
for  that  or  aney  other  purpos  Exept  the  Province  and  County 
by  Reason  of  Not  having  Town  privealegs  and  as  it  appeares  at 
this  day  to  be  verey  much  wanted  for  we  know  not  how  soon 
we  shall  be  wanted  to  Defende  oure  Contery  and  Priveliges 
which  are  much  Threatned  daley  theirfore  w^e  Humbeley  apply 
our  selves  to  this  Congress  for  advise  we  have  som  money  now 
in  the  hands  of  mr  James  Lucas  a collecter  of  this  Town  that 
•belonges  to  the  Province  and  County  that  was  granted  for  the 
year  1774  and  is  Not  yet  paid  in  and  when  it  will  be  wanted  or 
Coaid  for  we  Cant  tell  for  we  Conclude  that  the  County  will 
Not  go  on  with  their  bulding  this  year  as  was  intended  theirfore 
we  Humberly  Apply  our  selves  to  this  Hona^  Court  or  Con- 
gress for  their  advise  in  that  Afare  wheather  thay  Can  advise  or 
give  liberty  for  our  taking  this  money  for  that  vouse  we  oblige- 
ing  our  selves  to  Return  it  when  ever  Called  for  thease  from 
your  humbel  Purtisones  appointed  by  the  Town  as  a Commity 
for  this  purpos 

Jonathan  Frost  J 

Benj“  Tucker  v Commity 

Tho®  Riggs  ) 


568  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[7-2]  \_Another  Petition  for  an  Incorporation^  ^775-~\ 
Province  of  New  Hampshire  Monadnock  N°  5 September  28*^ 

1775- 

To  the  Hono'^^  Congress  of  Said  Province. 

Whereas  In  the  month  of  Jtdy  last  the  Congress  See  fit  to 
Grant  us  privilidges  which  before  we  was  Destitute  of,  and  for 
which  we  do  express  our  gratitude,  viz,  In  recommending  to  us 
to  chuse  Town  officers  such  as  Select  men,  Constables,  and  a 
Committee  of  Safety,  all  which  we  have  don,  but  as  it  is  a 
Doubt  whether  the  Congress  Intended  we  Should  Injoy  privi- 
lidges equil  to  Towns  Incorporated  by  a Governer,  or  not,  and 
as  we  have  a desire  to  Settle  a Minister  in  this  town,  and  as  we 
have  one  a preaching  here  whome  the  people  universally  like. 
We  theirfore  pray  the  Congress  to  Incorporate  Said  N°  5 by  the 
name  of  Washington,  and  appoint  a Day  for  our  Annual  Meet- 
ing. 

In  so  Doing  your  Honours  would  much  Oblidge  your  Hum- 
ble pertitioners. 

Jonathan  Frost  h Committee  In 
Eliphalet  Stone  )-  behalf  of  Monadnock 
Tho  Riggs  ) N°  Five 


[7~3]  \_Petition  for  an  Incorporation^ 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  Hon'^^®  the  Council  & house  of  Representatives  Convend 
at  Exeter  Sep*"  5,  1776. — 

Humbly  Shews  Eliphalet  Stone  of  a place  Called  New  Marl- 
borough in  the  County  of  Cheshire  Gent,  in  Behalf  of  the  free- 
holders Inhabitants  of  said  place 

That  your  Petitioners  under  a title  from  the  Purchasers  of  the 
Right  of  John  Tufton  Mason  Esq‘‘  did  Enter  into  & upon  the 
premises  & have  with  Great  Toil  & Labour  formd  Settlements 
for  themselves  & families. — 

That  the  Said  tract  of  Land  is  well  Scituated  for  a Township 
& of  the  Contents  of  about  Six  Miles  Square. — 

That  your  Petitioners  have  Erected  a Meetinghouse  for  Pub- 
lic Worship  & had  preaching. — 

That  they  Labour  under  Difficulties  for  want  of  an  Incorpo- 
ration which  Coud  they  Obtain  Are  perswaded  would  be  for 
the  Public  Good. — 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  that  they  may  be 
Incorporated  into  a Body  Politick  to  have  Continuance  & be  In- 


MARLBOROUGH.  569 

vested  with  all  the  powers  Priviledges  and  Immunities  that 
Other  Towns  in  this  State  by  Law  hold  & Enjoy. — 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Will  Ever  pray  &c. — 

Eliphalet  Stone 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted,  and  the  town  incor- 
porated by  an  act  passed  Dec.  13,  1776.] 


[R.  2—257]  \_Petition  of  Major  Andrew  Colburn^  addressed 
to  the  Council  and  Assembly d\ 

Humbly  Shews, 

Andrew  Colburn  of  Marlborough  in  the  County  of  Cheshire 
Esq*"  that  in  the  Beginning  of  the  last  Campaign  he  assisted  Col® 
Reid  in  recruiting  his  Regiment,  in  which  he  expended  consid- 
erable sums  of  Money  Afterwards  he  served  as  a Voluntier  in 
the  American  Army  till  the  arrival  of  Gen^  Folsom,  who  on  Ac- 
count of  the  Irregularity  of  the  new  Army,  found  it  absolutely 
necessary  to  have  an  Officer  to  act  as  Brigade  Adjutant,  in  his 
Department  He  therefore  applied  to  General  Ward,  then  Com- 
mander in  Chief  for  his  Approbation  & appointment  of  y®  Peti- 
tioner as  Adjutant  to  his  Brigade,  who  approved  & appointed 
him  to  act  accordingly  That  he  acted  in  said  Office  till  Geffi 
Washington  took  the  Command  of  the  Army,  who  issued  in 
general  Orders  that  every  Officer  should  continue  in  his  respec- 
tive Department  till  further  Orders — That  he  continued  in  said 
office  accordingly  during  said  Campaign — That  as  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  had  not  appointed  Brigade  Adjutants  for  said 
Service,  General  Washington  could  not  grant  a Warrant  for  any 
Pay— 

That  one  M^  Brewer  who  acted  in  the  same  Capacity  in  the 
Massachusetts  Troops  at  Roxbury  being  in  like  Circumstances 
with  regard  to  pay,  represented  the  Case  to  the  Gen^  Court  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bay  & was  allowed  Eight  Pounds  ten  Shill- 
ings L M p*"  Month — Your  Petitioner  therefore  humbly  Prays 
your  Honours  to  take  his  Case  under  your  wise  Consideration, 
& to  grant  him  such  Recompence  for  his  Services  during  said 
Campaign  as  in  Your  Wisdom  shall  appear  adequate  and  Just 
— And  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  pray  &c 

And"^  Colburn 

[And  rew  Colburn  was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel 
of  the  Third  New  Hampshire  Regiment,  under  Col.  Scam- 
mel,  April,  1777,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Stillwater, 


570 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


or  Bemis’s  Heights,  on  the  19th  of  September  in  the  same 
year.  His  widow,  Mrs.  Phebe  Colburn,  removed  soon  after 
to  Coventry,  Conn,,  her  native  place,  and  after  seven  years 
of  widowhood,  married  Ephraim  Root. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-265]  [ Calvin  Goodenow^  Soldier^  77^*2.] 

Marlborough  January  y®  28*^  1786. 

These  may  certify  That  Calvin  Goodenow  was  engaged  Dur- 
ing the  war  By  the  town  of  Marlborough  and  Joined  the  army 
in  the  month  of  aprile  in  the  year  1782. 

James  Brewer  Dan^^  Cutting  Silas  fife 

Selectmen  of  Marlborough  for  the  year — 

David  Wheeler  Phins  Farrar 

Selectmen  for  the  year — 


[R.  2-266] 

I hereby  certify  that  Calvan  Goodenough  Serv’d  as  a Soldier 
in  my  Company  in  the  first  Newhampshire  Reg*  at  the  close  of 
the  war  and  for  Some  time  before  per 

Josiah  Munro  Cap* 

Hawk  Feb^  2^  1786. 


[7-5]  \_Relative  to  Taxes  of  Elijah  Williams^ 

These  may  Certify  that  Lots  Numbers  37  & 58  in  this  Town 
Belonging  to  Elijah  Williams  Esq*'  an  Absentte  was  Taxed  in 
year  1781  in  the  Beef  Rate  £0.12:  9:  2 

and  in  the  soldier  & Rum  rate — . o:  3:  i:  i 

which  sums  we  pray  may  Be  allowed  to  M*"  Silas  Fife  Consta- 
ble for  1781 

Marlborough  Jany  28“^  17S6 

David  Wheeler  ) Selectmen  of 
Phinehas  Farrar  j Marlborough 


[7-6]  S^Certificate  of  Nails  made^  J/po.] 

State^of  New  Hampshire  Cheshire  ss 

We  the  Subscribers  Select  Men  of  the  Town  of  Marlborough 
in  Said  County,  Do  hereby  Certify  that  John  Parkhurst  of 


MARLBOROUGH. 


571 


Marlborough  afore  Said  Nailer,  has  bonafidely  made  or  Caused 
to  be  made  at  his  work-Shop  in  Marlbo*'  Three  Hundred 
Thousand  Four  Penny  wrought  Nails,  Encluding  Eighty  Seven 
Thousand  that  was  not  Encluded  in  the  other  Certificate.  And 
One  Hundred  Thousand  of  Six  Penny  wrought  Nails  Sence  the 
24*^  of  December  last. 

Witness  our  hand  and  Seals 

Dan^  Cutting  ) Select  Men  for 
moses  Tucker  ) Marlborough 

Marlborough  June  y®  AD  1790 

I the  Subscriber  being  the  Nearest  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Said  County  to  the  workShop  of  the  above  S'^  John  Parkhurst, 
Do  hereby  Certify  that  the  S'^  John  Parkhurst  has  in  fact  made, 
and  caus’d  to  be  made  in  his  works  the  above  mentioned  Num- 
ber of  wrought  Nails. 

Tho®  Baker  Justice  of  the  Peace 


[7-7]  \_Against  the  Appomt7ne7it  of  Willia77t  Pa7'ker^ 

To  His  Exelency  the  President,  and  Hono'^'  the  Council  of  the 
State  of  New-Hampshire — 

Your  Petitioners  Humbly  Sheweth  that  We  have  received  in- 
formation from  Men  of  undoubted  viracety  that  M''  William 
Barker  of  this  Town  has  lately  ben  recommended  to  Your  Hon- 
ors as  a seutable  Person  to  be  a Justice  of  the  Peace. — 

We  beg  the  privilidge  to  inform  Your  Exelency  and  Honours 
that  We  have  a very  diferant  oppinion  of  the  Man,  and  Do  pray 
Your  Exelency  and  Honors  would  be  pleased  not  to  grant  him 
a Justic’s  Commition.  As  We  in  Deuty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray 

Marlborough  January  1790. 

EliplP  Stone  ^ Select  Men 
Phinehas  Farrar  V of 
Ebenezer  Temple  ) Marlborough 


[7-8] 


\_Relative  to  Boundary  between  this  Town  and  Fitz- 
%villia7n^  //py.] 


To  the  Honourable  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire  to  begin  and  be  Holden  at  Hanover  in  S*^  State 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  June  next — 

In  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Marlborough  the  Petition  of  us  the 
Subscribers  humbly  sheweth  that  Whereas  the  Towns  of  Fitz- 


572 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


william  and  Marlborough  have  ben  in  Dispute  for  a long  time 
as  to  the  line  between  Towns,  and  the  Town  of  Marlbor® 
have  requested  the  town  of  Fitzwilliam  repeatedly  to  establish 
line,  and  offered  to  leave  the  matter  to  Juditious  and  disin- 
trested  men  to  Settle  the  dispute  on  Just  and  equitable  terms  ; 
but  they  wholy  refuse  to  Comply  with  our  request — Wherefore 
your  Petitioners  pray  that  your  Honours  would  take  our  Case 
under  your  Wise  Consideration,  and  appoint  a Committee  if 
you  in  your  Wisdom  think  fit  to  vew  line  or  order  Some 
other  means  Whereby  S'^  line  maybe  established  upon  Just  and 
equetable  terms — as  your  Petitioners  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever 
pray— 

Calvin  Stone  J Selectmen  of 
Jonadab  Baker)  Marlbor® 

Marlborough  May  30^*^  1795 


MARLOW. 

The  township  was  granted  October  7,  1761,  to  William 
Noyes  and  sixty-three  others,  at  which  time  it  received  its 
present  name.  The  reservation  of  five  hundred  acres  for 
Governor  Wentworth  was  located  in  the  south-west  corner. 
The  conditions  of  this  grant  were  not  wholly  complied  with, 
and  the  inhabitants,  on  the  30th  of  December,  1771,  peti- 
tioned for  an  extension  of  the  charter,  which  was. granted 
January  24,  1772.  for  a term  of  three  years.  In  the  petition 
they  stated  that  twenty-eight  families  were  resident  in  town, 
and  that  five  more  were  to  settle  the  following  spring. 

The  grantees  were  residents  of  Connecticut,  principally 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  towns  of  Lyme  and  Colchester. 
Among  the  first  settlers  were  Thomas  and  Samuel  Gustin, 
Elisha  and  Solomon  Mack,  Jasper  and  Nathan  Huntley,  and 
Joseph  Tubbs. 

By  an  act  passed  June  21,  1797,  all  that  portion  of  the 
town,  as  originally  granted,  lying  east  of  the  curve  line  of 
Mason’s  Patent,  containing  some  four  thousand  acres,  was 
declared  to  be  under  the  jurisdiction  and  a part  of  the  town 
of  Stoddard. 

An  academy  flourished  here  for  some  years,  which  was 
largely  patronized  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  and  did 
a good  work  in  the  cause  of  education. 


MARLOW. 


573 


[7“39]  \^Inventory  of 

A True  Inventory  of  all  the  Poles  and  Ratable  Estate  In  the 
Townshi^D  of  Marlow  Taken  this  twenty  Sixth  day  of  April 
^773  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Said  Marlow 

Thirty  four  poles — twenty  Eight  oxen — forty  two  Cows — fif- 
teen three  years  old — Eight  two  year  old — thirteen  year  old — 
two  Horses — one  hundred  and  forty  four  acers  of  Mowing  Land 
— Seventy  Nine  acers  of  arable  Land — Sixty  four  acers  of  pas- 
ter Land — 

A True  List  attest 

Nicodemes  Miller  ) Selectmen  of 
Sam^^  Canfield  J Marlow 

province  of  New  hampshire  April  y®  26^^  ^773 
County  of  Cheshire  ss  parsonally  appeared  Nicodems  Miller 
and  Samuell  Canfield  Selectmen  of  Marlow  and  made  Soloom 
oath  to  the  above  Inventory  by  them  Taken  & Signed  by  them 
as  above  Is  Just  and  True  as  there  set  down  taken 

Before  me  B Bellows  Justice  peace 


[7-40]  \_Relative  to  the  Election  of  Representative^  z/yd.] 

To  the  Honerabel  Counsel  & assembeley  of  the  Colony  of  New 
hampshire  to  be  Conveand  & assembled  at  Exeter  on  the 
third  wensday  of  Deember  Instant 

The  Petiteion  of  the  Inhabetitants  of  the  Towns  of  marlow 
Alsted  and  Surrey  Humbeley  Sheweth  that  where  as  it  is  the 
advice  & Deriction  of  the  Contenantel  Congrace  Reletve  to  the 
asumeing  Civel  Goverment  in  this  Coloney  have  advised  and 
Dericted  the  Provenshal  Congras  of  this  Colony  Preveus  to 
their  asuiming  a forme  of  Ceviel  Government  that  the}"  at  their 
Convenshon  Do  Grant  worants  for  a full  and  free  Election  of 
Representetves  in  this  Coloney  & where  as  verees  Cuppleing  of 
veraes  Towns  toGether  ia  the  wesetern  Parts  of  Coloney  and 
allowing  but  one  Representetve  to  a Cuppling  and  we  being 
Deferantly  Treted  from  the  Mager  Parts  of  this  Coloney  who 
are  allowed  a Representetive  to  Each  Town  and  where  as  the 
Towns  of  marlow  Alsted  & Surrey  are  Towns  InCorprated 
with  all  the  Inverabel  Priveligeses  & Emunities  that  any  other 
Town  or  Towns  Do  or  may  In  Joy  In  this  Coloney  & being 
thus  Cuppled  together  as  aforeSaid  are  abriged  or  Curtailed  of 
the  Privelig  of  Each  EndeviDial  Town  Eleccting  a Represen- 
tetive which  we  Humbely  Conceve  Can  not  be  Constred  to  be 
a full  & free  Election  or  Representation  of  the  Said  Coloney 
agreabel  to  the  advice  of  the  Contenantal  Congress  above  Re- 


574 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


sited  we  there  fore  your  Humbel  Petiteshers  would  be  such  the 
Honerabel  Counsel  & House  of  Representetives  that  Preves  to 
the  further  Preserving  the  Plan  of  Civel  Goverment  that  there 
may  worants  be  Granted  for  a full  and  free  Election  or  Repre- 
sentation of  Each  of  the  Endvedial  Towns  above  menchend 
Presewent  to  the  advice  of  the  Contenantal  Congrace  aforesaid 
thus  Shall  your  PI  umbel  Petisonors  as  In  Deuty  Bound  Ever 
Pray 

Dated  Coloney  of  Newhamsher  Marlow  December  ii‘^  A :D 
1776 

Sam’^  Gustin  Come“  for 

Absalom  Kingsbery  [marlow 
Woolston  Brock  way  [ Alsted  & 
Jonathan  Smith  J Surrey 


[7-41]  \^Relative  to  the  East  Line  of  the  Town^  ^777 
Marlow  Feb^  y®  2o‘^  ^777 — 

As  there  is  a Report  prevails  in  the  Town  of  Marlow  that 
one  Oliver  Parker  a Reputed  mover  of  sedition  in  the  Town  of 
Stoddard  hath  got  a petition  Signd  by  a party  to  have  some 
part  of  the  East  side  of  the  Town  of  marlow  (by  the  general 
Cort)  set  to  Stoddard 

We  the  Selectmen  of  marlow  in  the  State  of  Newhampshire. 
Beg  Leve  to  Say  Some  thing  in  the  Ears  of  the  General  Cort 
on  this  matter  if  y®  above  Said  petition  is  .prefared — viz — that 
the  incorporation  of  y®  Town  of  marlow  is  older  than  y®  incor- 
poration of  any  Town  adjoining  to  the  said  marlow — and  we 
in  y®  Name  of  y®  inhabitants  of  y®  Town  of  marlow  humbly 
Pray  that  the  General  Cort  would  not  by  any  incorporation 
infringe  on  the  Town  of  marlow  without  Giving  Notice  to  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  said  marlow  some  time  before  hand — 

If  the  above  s*^  petition  be  for  paying  Taxes  only — the  Gen- 
eral assembley  did  on*the  I2‘^  Day  of  June  1776  pass  a resolve 
that  all  those  Rateable  persons  who  live  within  the  original  east 
Line  of  marlow  and  their  Estates  thir.  pay  there  Taxes  to  mar- 
low untill  the  Title  to  the  Lands  Disputable  between  the  said 
Towns  of  marlow  and  Stoddard  be  Decided  by  Law  or  by 
agreement  between  the  said  two  Towns 

the  Cause  being  So  plain  we  shall  not  Trouble  the  Cort  any 
Longer — Resting  assured  they  will  not  act  Contrary  to  this  pe- 
tition without  first  Notifying  the  Town  of  marlow  and  giving  us 
a Day  to  Defend  our  Selves 

Dated  at  marlow  this  4^^  of  march  AD  i777 — 

pr  us  Nicodemus  Miller  ) Select  men 

Abisha  Tubs  j of  marlow 


MARLOW. 


575 


[7-42]  \_Relative  to  the  Settlement  of  the  East  Line  of  the 

Town^  77/(5*.] 

State  of  Newham shere  Chesher  County  Marlow  Feberay  3’'*^ 
1778 

as  there  is  Still  Remaining  a Deficalty  about  the  Colecting  of 
Taxes  in  our  town  on  aCount  of  the  Clames  of  woshenton  and 
Stoder  by  their  Coperations — Laping  on  our  Town  and  the 
Charter  and  Corperation  there  of  and  as  the  Easter  most  Line 
of  Said  marlow  is  Desputed  by  Said  Washenton  & Stoderd 
and  that  it  may  be  Setteled  with  out  Deficalty  in  a Legal  Meth- 
ard 

we  the  Subcribers  Select  men  of  Said  Marlow  Do  Bring  our 
Requst  and  Potition  to  the  Honorabel  Counsel  and  assembely 
of  this  State  that  they  would  Derict  to  Sum  method  whereby 
those  unhapey  Deficaltys  may  be  Removed  and  if  your  Hon- 
ours Should  Think  it  Proper  : we  Should  be  Glad  that  Sum 
Soveyor  & Chainmen  that  are  Dis  Entrested  and  Inhabtents  of 
this  County  be  apointed  to  Run  the  Loyns  of  Said  marlow 
aCording  to  the  Charter  of  Said  Town  and  Esabilish  the  Lines 
and  Bounds  of  Said  Town  that  Such  Desputes  may  be  Remov- 
ed for  which  we  your  Potishenors  as  In  Deuty  Bound  would 
Humbely  Pray 

Eber  Lewis  ) Selectmen 
William  Nud  ) of  marlow 

N : B as  marlow  is  the  oldest  Charter  of  any  Town  that 
Joins  on  it  we  think  it  very  improper  that  other  Towns  Should 
InCroach  on  our  Rights  & Priveliges  &C 

the  within  riten  petetion  is  Excepted  and  by  the  town  Voted 
to  be  Sent  to  the  Honourable  Counsil  and  Asemby 

Jonath  Royce  town  Clark 


[7-43]  \_Relative  to  Taxes ^ iy84.~\ 

State  of  Newham pshire 

The  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Marlow  humbly  Sheweth  That 
in  the  Proportion  taken  in  i777  Town  of  Marlow  Sent  in 
their  Inventory  according  to  the  best  of  their  Knowledge  In- 
cludeing  all  within  the  Original  Limitts  of  Said  Town — after 
which  the  General  Court  by  their  Special  order  Resolv‘d  that  a 
certain  part  of  the  Land  aforesaid  with  the  Inhabitants  thereon 
so  far  as  the  Masonian  grant  Extended  Should  pay  their  pro- 
portion another  way  whereby  your  Petitioners  where  Deprived 
of  a Considerable  part  of  their  Strength  which  they  Expected 


576 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


in  paying  the  Qiiotas  of  Taxes  Laid  on  them  in  consequence  of 
their  Proportion  and  also  was  Doom^  their  Supose*^  proportion 
in  1780  Including  the  Land  aforesaid  Therefore  your  Petitioner 
humbly  Pray®  that  So  much  of  their  Taxes  As  hath  been  So 
Laid  on  them  may  be  abated  that  they  may  only  pay  their  Just 
proportion  of  Taxes  in  Said  State  which  they  Ever  Desire  to  do 
and  no  more  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will  Ever 
pray 

NatL^  S Prentice  in  behalf  of  Said  Town 


[7-44]  l^Relative  to  East  Line  of  the  Town^  iyg8r\ 

To  the  honarble  Senate  and  hous  of  Representatives  in  Jeneral 
cort  Convened  at  Concord  on  the  thurd  Wedingsday  of  this 
Instant  November 

your  pertisherners  humbley  Shweth  that  whereas  an  act  has 
Ben  past  Giving  Juresdiction  of  a part  of  marlow  to  Stodderd 
to  the  grate  deterament  of  said  marlow  and  must  unavoidable 
Ruen  said  town  if  Said  act  is  not  Reconsedered  tharefore 
your  portisherners  humbley  prayeth  that  your  honers  will 
make  thare  Case  your  Case  and  then  Consider  wheather  you 
would  Be  willing  to  have  your  towns  Cut  to  peaces  without  the 
Concent  of  the  inhabetents  then  your  portisheners  thinks  they 
Shall  be  Abel  By  thare  agent  to  Shew  the  unreasonable  ness  of 
that  act  which  your  portishoners  thinks  neaver  would  Ben  past 
if  the  honerable  Cort  at  that  Time  had  farly  understod  the  situ- 
ation of  Both  towns  that  Stoddard  is  Biger  without  that  Strip 
than  marlow  is  with  it  by  Reason  of  Washington  Exersising 
Juresdiction  over  a Considerable  part  of  said  marlow  and  your 
portisheners  humbley  prayeth  that  they  may  not  Be  tore  to 
peases  to  Set  up  thare  nabering  towns  thow  they  are  willing  to 
suffer  with  other  Towns  But  not  to  be  tore  to  peaces  to  set  them 
up  tharefore  your  portisheners  humbley  Requestes  that  act  may 
Be  Reconsidered  and  your  portisheners  as  in  duty  Bound  Shall 
Ever  pray 

Marlow  November  16^^  179S 

Elisha  Huntley  \ Select 
Abijah  Mack  > Men  of 
Wells  Way  j marlow 


[7-45]  \_Eemonstrance  to  the  Establishment  of  the  East 
Line  as  by  the  Act  of  //p/.] 

To  the  Honourable  senate  & house  of  Representatives  to  be 
convened  at  Concord  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  November — 


MASON. 


577 


The  Petition  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  town  of  Marlow  hum- 
bly shews  that  the  General  court  at  their  sessions  in  June  1797 
sett  oft'  the  southeast  part  of  Marlow  containing  About  four 
thousand  acres  of  s'^  Marlow  under  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  town 
of  Stoddard  haveing  About  twenty  famylies  on  the  same  which 
we  concieve  was  obtained  by  A Very  wrong  Representation  of 
the  Matters  of  fact  And  we  your  Petioner  not  thinking  it  nec- 
essary at  that  time  to  send  in  A written  remonstrance  against 
the  town  of  Stoddard  petition  fully  believing  that  the  honour- 
able court  would  never  take  oft' from  the  lesser  towns  to  put  to 
the  Greater  where  the  town  taken  off  from  and  the  Inhabitants 
to  be  taken  oft' had  not  Requested  it  but  to  their  great  Disap- 
pointment it  was  done,  and  we  your  Petioners  being  fully 
sensible  that  s*^  Act  being  carried  into  eft'ect  according  to  the 
liberty  the  town  of  Stoddard  have  taken  and  mean  to  take  by 
taxing  our  Lands  under  the  Lay  out  of  the  Proprietors  of  s** 
Stoddard  which  your  Honours  will  be  sensible  lays  a foundation 
for  A continered  multicipticity  of  Lawsuits  to  the  Great  dam- 
age of  the  publick  and  to  the  total  Destruction  of  Many  of  Your 
Petitioners  Interest  on  both  sides  and  whereas  the  Proprietors 
of  s^^  Stoddard  as  well  as  the  town  have  taken  the  most  unwea- 
ried paines  to  Defraud  us  and  Arrest  our  Lands  from  us  by 
every  strategem  that  Depraved  human  nature  could  Invent  and 
we  are  fully  pursuaded  your  honours  when  fully  possest  of  the 
facts  will  not  uphold  them  nor  strengthen  them  in  their  inthu- 
siasm  but  will  Repeal  s'^  Act  and  let  us  peaceably  injoy  our 
Land  as  other  Citizens  do  which  is  the  humble  prayer  of  your 
petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray 

Marlow  June  4^*^  ^79^ 

Elijah  Frink  In  Behalf  of  the 
Petitioners 

[All  that  portion  of  Marlow  lying  east  of  the  curve  line 
of  Mason’s  patent  was  decreed  to  belong  to  Stoddard  by  an 
act  passed  June  21,  1797. — Ed.] 


MASON. 

The  township  was  granted  November  i,  1749,  by  Joseph 
Blanchard,  as  agent  for  the  Masonian  proprietors,  to  Will- 
iam Lawrence  and  others,  and  was  called  No.  i,  until,  in 
answer  to  a petition,  it  was  incorporated  with  town  priv- 
39 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


578 

ileges  August  26,  1768,  and  given  its  present  name  in 
honor  of  Capt.  John  Mason,  the  original  owner  of  that  tract 
of  land  known  as  “ Mason’s  Patent.” 

At  a meeting  of  the  inhabitants  held  June  22,  1768,  they 
voted  to  have  the  town  called  Sharon  ; but  Governor  Went- 
worth, who  generally  named  towns  to  please  himself,  named 
it  Mason. 

This  town  includes  that  portion  of  the  town  of  Town- 
send, Mass.,  which  was  north  of  the  province  line  as  estab- 
lished in  1741. 

By  an  act  passed  June  28,  1872,  the  north-west  part  of 
the  town  was  set  off,  and  incorporated  into  the  town  of 
Greenville,  and  the  line  between  the  two  towns  was  estab- 
lished the  following  year. 

Joseph  Blood,  of  Mason,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Bun- 
ker Hill.  Ebenezer  Blood,  Jr.,  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
same  time,  and  never  returned  home. 


[7-50]  S^Petition  for  a Town  Charter^  iy68.'\ 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq^  Captain  General 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New-Hampshire  in  Council — 

The  humble  Petition  of  Obadiah  Parker  of  a Place  within  the 
said  Province  called  N°  i on  behalf  of  himself  and  the  rest  of 
the  Inhabitants  there. 

Sheweth  : That  the  said  Tract  of  Land  is  about  5 Miles 

Square  & is  held  by  your  Pef®  under  a Grant  from  the  Gent*^ 
Proprietors  of  Mason’s  Patent  and  is  bounded  as  follows  Viz* 
Beginning  at  a Stake  & Stones  on  the  Province  Line,  then 
running  on  the  Province  Line  5 Miles  & 20  rods  to  the  S : E. 
Corner  of  New  Ipswich  Thence  running  N®  on  said  New  Ips- 
wich line  5 Miles  to  a White  pine  Tree  to  Wilton  Corner  Then 
running  E.  on  the  S°  line  of  Wilton  5 Miles  to  a hemlock  tree 
then  running  S°  5 Miles  by  the  Needle  to  the  Bounds  first  men- 
tioned. That  they  have  now  Fifty  Six  Families  on  the  Spot, 
and  are  ripe  for  Town  Officers,  a Minister  &c 

Wherefore  they  humbly  pray  a Charter  of  Incorporation  and 
that  they  may  be  invested  with  all  the  Powers  & Authorities 
Privileges  & Franchises  which  other  Towns  enjoy  within  this 
Government  by  such  Name  as  Your  Excellency  shall  be  pleased 
to  appoint. 

And  your  Pet”  will  ever  pray  &c 

Obadiah  Parker  pro  Se  et  Cseteris. 

[For  himself  and  others.] 


MASON. 


579 


L7-46] 


\_J^elative  to  an  alleged  Thefts  ^775 


To  the  honorable  Gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 

Hampshire — 

That  whereas  Jason  Russell  & John  Tarbell  both  of  IMason 
in  said  Province,  did  in  a felonious  Manner  on  or  about  the 
Twentieth  of  May  last,  retire  to  a Pasture  in  said  Town  belong- 
ing to  Sam^^  Dana  of  Groton  & took  from  thence  a Three  Years 
old  Heifer  & killed  & converted  it  to  their  own  Use — Where- 
upon early  Notice  being  given  to  the  Committee  for  said  Town, 
met  & requir’d  of  the  Oflenders  full  Satisfaction  therefor,  But 
each  of  them  peremptorily  refusing  to  comply  therewith  the 
Advice  of  Committees  from  two  neighbouring  towns  being 
called  in,  viz  New-Ipswich  & Temple  & the  Criminals  being 
cited  to  appear  before  said  Committees  not  only  neglected  to 
make  their  Appearance  before  us.  But  as  we  learn  have  fled  to 
the  Army  & finding  ourselves  unable  to  settle  the  unhappv  Dif- 
ficulty by  Reason  of  their  escape,  came  into  the  following  Res- 
olution viz — 

Resolved  to  refer  the  Matter  to  your  judicious  Consideration, 
begging  that  you  will  in  your  Wisdom,  take  cogniscence,  either 
of  the  Oflcnce  & deal  with  the  Ofi'enders  or  give  us  Rules  how 
to  proceed  with  them  in  this,  & such  like  Case  for  the  future — 

Ephraim  Adams  Chairman  for  said  Committee. 

David  Blodgett  Scribe 

Dated  Mason  June  ^775 


[7~47]  \_Relative  to  Paper  Curreftcy^  ^777-~\ 

To  The  Honorable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Cort  assembled  at  Ex- 
eter on  Wednesday  the  17^*^  Day  of  December  AD  : 1777  Hum- 
bly Sheweth  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  The  Town 
of  Mason  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  in  S^  State  That  the 
Calling  in  and  Sinking  this  States  Bills  of  Publick  Credit  of  the 
Square  form  So  Called  and  giving  in  Exchange  For  the  Same 
Treasuerys  notes  upon  Loan  or  Intrest  appears  to  your  Honours 
Suppliants  to  be  Disadvantegeous  and  Detrimental  to  this  State 
in  General  and  Tends  to  Sap  the  Foundation  of  Prosperity 
among  the  Good  People  of  this  State  and  Embarrass  the 
Growth  of  the  Commonweth  Then  Engaged  in  a very  Grevious 
and  Expencive  war  the  Period  of  Which  is  Yet  unknown  which 
will  unavoidably  Prove  noxious  to  this  State  as  well  as  others 

Wherefore  your  Potitioners  Humbly  Pray  That  a Late  act  of 
the  Former  House  an  act  Entitled  an  act  For  Calling  In  and 


58o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Sinking  the  Bills  of  Publick  Credit  of  This  State  of  the  Square 
Form  So  Called  May  Be  Repealed  and  the  above  Said  Bills 
Pass  as  Spacified  in  the  Face  of  the  Same  or  Untill  the  above 
S*^  Bills  May  be  Called  in  By  a Tax  as  you  in  your  wdsdom 
Shall  See  Fit  and  your  Humble  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Pray 

At  a Town  Meeting  held  at  Mason  Dec*"  y*  15  : 1777  The 
abov  Petition  Being  Read  y®  Town  unanimously  Voted  That 
S^  Petition  Be  Presented  to  the  Gen’'  Cort  By  the  hand  of  y* 
Representitive  of  S*^  Town 

Attest  Benjamin  Mann  Town  Clark 


[7-4S] 

In  obedience  to  a Vote  Passed  in  the  general  Court  Directing 
the  Selectmen  of  the  Several  towns  in  this  state  to  Return  the 
number  of  male  Poles  from  twenty  one  years  old  and  upward 
paying  for  themselves  a Pole  Tax  in  order  to  apportion  the 
Representation  according  to  the  New  Constitution  we  do  here- 
by Return  for  the  town  of  mason  one  Hundred  and  forty  male 
poles  paying  for  themselves  a Pole  Tax  in  S*^  mason 

mason  December  y*  17S3 

Elijah  Keyes  ) o i i. 

A TA  1 • } Selectmen 

Amos  Dakin  ) 

[Sworn  to  before  Benjamin  Mann,  justice  of  the  peace. — 
Ed.] 


[7-49]  [ Vo^e  relative  to  Paper  Currency^ 

At  a Legal  Town  meeting  held  in  Mason  (by  adjournment) 
on  Fryday  y®  Day  of  Dec*'  1786 

Voted  not  to  have  Paper  Money  on  the  Plan  proposed  by  the 
general  Court  No.  17 — & not  one  appeal'd  for  it  on  s*^  Plan: 
No  : Eleven  Not  for  Paper  Money  on  any  plan  : and  three  for 
paper  Money  on  some  Plan. 

Mason  Dec’’  y®  8‘*^  1786. 

Coppy  Attest  William  Eliot  Town  Clerk 

To  Benjamin  Mann  Esq*"  Representative  for 
s'*  Mason  & Raby. — 


[See  Vol.  XI,  page  130. — Ed.] 


MEREDITH. 


581 


[R.  2-267]  \_Soldiers’  Orders 

To  Nicholas  Gilman  Esq’^  Treasurer 

Sir  Please  to  pay  Benjamin  Mann  Esq*"  the  whole  of  my 
wagers  & milage  that  is  made  to  me  on  Cap‘ William  Barron 
Pay  role  for  a three  months  Campeign  in  the  year  17S0  and  it 
shall  Discharge  you  from  me 

Joshua  Richardson 

Mason  September  the  1782. 

To  whome  it  may  concern  this  may  certify  that  Jn®*^  Rich- 
ardson in  my  Roole  For  17S0  is  Joshua 

William  Barron  Cap* 


[R.  2-268]  • 

To  M^  John  Taylor  gillman  Treas’’  For  the  State  of  New 
Hamp*" 

Sir  Please  to  Pay  the  Bareor  Benjamin  Mann  The  wages 
that  appears  Due  to  me  For  the  months  January  Feb^  March 
& april  in  the  year  1780  as  a Soldier  in  the  Continental  army  in 
yc  hampshire  reg*  L*  ColP  Company  and  his  Receipt 

Shall  be  a Discharge  For  the  Same  per  me,  also  the  arears  of 
Clothing 

David  Hall 

Mason  June  y®  i®*  1784 


MEREDITH. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council 
December  30,  1768,  at  which  time  it  received  its  present 
name. 

Previous  to  its  incorporation  it  was  known  by  the  name 
of  New  Salem,  some  of  its  early  settlers  being  formerly  res- 
idents of  the  town  of  Salem. 

It  was  within  the  bounds  of  Mason’s  Patent,  and  as  in- 
corporated included  the  present  town  of  Laconia. 

By  an  act  approved  December  30,  1799,  Stone-dam  and 
Bear  Islands  were  annexed  to  this  town. 

A division  of  the  town  took  place  July  14,  1855,  the 
south-easterly  portion  being  incorporated  into  a town  by 
the  name  of  Laconia. 


1 


582  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

By  an  act  approved  July  3,  1873,  a portion  of  Meredith 
was  annexed  to  Centre  Harbor. 


[7-51]  S^Petition  for  a?t  Incorporation^  1^68. 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General 
Governor  & Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty’s 
Province  of  New-Hampshire,  & The  Hon : His  Majesty’s 
Council 

‘ The  humble  Petition  of  David  Lawrence  Esq*'  and  Ebenezer 
Smith  GenP  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  others  Proprietors  & 
Inhabitants  of  New  Salem  (in  the  Province  aforesaid)  upon 
Winipisiokee  Pond. 

Sheweth 

That  17  Families  have  actually  Settled  and  are  now  resident 
in  New  Salem  aforesaid,  and  four  other  Families  are  preparing 

to  go,  & reside  there. 

That  they  humbly  apprehend  they  are  ripe  for  an  Incorpora- 
tion ; and  an  Investment  with  Town  Priviledges,  which  will 
greatly  assist  the  present  Settlement,  and  accelerate  its  Com- 
pletion as  they  can  thereby  make  proper  Highways,  & have 
power  to  chuse  Town  Officers  &c 

They  therefore  pray  your  ExcelP-^  & Hon”  to  take  the  prem- 
ises into  your  Consideration,  and  that  they  maybe  incorporated 
accordingly 

And  your  Pet”  will  ever  pray  &c 

David  Lawrence 
Ebenezer  Smith 

Portsmouth  id*'*  June  176S. 

[The  foregoing  petition  was  granted,  and  the  town  incor- 
porated by  the  name  of  Meredith,  December  30,  1768. — 
Ed.] 


[7-54]  '^Soldiers’  Orders 

meredith  December  y*  15^^  ^777 — 

S*  Pleas  to  pay  CoP  Ebenezer  Smith  the  full  Sum  of  the 
Rations  Due  to  me  the  Subscriber  as  an  Ensign  in  your  Reg- 
iment in  Geffi  Starks  Brigade — and  you  will  oblige  your  Hum- 
ble Serv* 

Robert  Bryant  Ensign 
To  CoP  Thomas  Stickney — of  Concord — 


MEREDITH. 


583 


[R.  2-268] 

To  the  paymaster  of  the  continental  men  Pleas  to  pay  Eb- 
enezer  Smith  the  whole  of  Pay  due  to  me  up  to  the  first  of  the 
year  1782  I being  soldier  in  the  Newhampshire  line  in  Colonel 
Reids  regiment  and  you  will  oblige  your  Humble  SeiV 

his 

Aron  X Rolins 

mark 

Meredith  December  the  2^^  i7^3* 
test  Robert  Bryant  John  Kimbel 


[R.  2—269] 

New  Salem  January  27*^  1785 
To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

Sir  please  to  pay  Daniel  Cook  or  his  order  all  that  is  due  to 
my  late  husband  Nathaniel  Chase  deceased  who  was  a Soldier 
in  the  2^^  N H R,  and  was  killed  in  1781 — 

Attest — Value  rec*^  witness  my  hand 

her 

Sam'^  Gilman  Betsy  X Chase 

mark 

New  Salem  January  27*^  — 

This  Certifies  that  Betsy  Chase  the  above  signer  is  the  Widow 
& sole  heir  to  the  aforesaid  Nath^  Chase  deceased  who  was  a 
Continental  Soldier  from  New  Salem — 

Phineas  Gorden  Town  Clarke 


[R.  2-270]  \_Relative  to  William  Maloon^  Soldier.^ 

The  deposition  of  Nathaniel  Wadleigh  of  lawful  Age  testi- 
fies & Says  that  William  Mallon  was  in  the  Service  in  the  Con- 
tental  Army  as  one  of  the  six  months  men  in  the  first  New 
Hampshire  Regiment  in  Captain  Farewells  Company  in  the 
year  1781 — & I suppose  that  he  had  his  discharge  at  the  same 
time  that  I & the  Rest  had  our  discharge  & he  & myself  Came 
out  of  Camp  together  & further  saith  not — 

Nathaniel  Wadleigh 

Meredith  March  12*^  1791 

[Sworn  before  Ebenezer  Smith. — Ed.] 


S84 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-52]  S^Petition  for  a Change  of  Day  of  Annual  Meetings 

1784-^ 

State  of  Newhamps’’  Strafford  ss 

meredith  march  the  25^^  ^7^4  ^ Legal  town  meeting  this 

day  holden  the  Second  article  in  the  warning  of  Said  meeting 
Voted  to  Petition  the  General  Court  to  alter  day  of  holding  the 
annual  town  meeting  of  Said  town  from  the  first  monday  of 
april  to  the  Second  monday  of  march  for  the  futer  and  that  Eb- 
enezer  Smith  be  a Committee  for  that  purpose 

a true  extract  from  the  minuites  of  meeting 

attest  Ebenezer  Smith  town  Clerk 

[The  date  of  annual  meeting  was  changed,  by  an  act 
passed  November  5,  1784,  to  the  second  Monday  in  March. 
—Ed.] 


[7-56]  [^Pel/lion  of  the  Baptist  Society  for  an  Incorpora- 

tion^  i7Q77\ 


To  the  Senate  and  house  of  Representatives  of  the  state  of 

Newhampshire  Convened  at  Concord  June  1797 — 

Humbly  Sheweth  the  Petition  of  the  undersigned  that  they 
are  and  have  been  a Religious  Society  in  the  town  of  Meredith 
for  a Number  of  years  Past  Known  by  the  Name  of  the  Baptist 
Society  and  have  Erected  a meeting  house  and  ordained  a 
Leading  teaching  Elder  But  we  Labour  under  Some  Disadvan- 
tages for  Not  being  Incorporated  into  a Body  Poletick  so  far  as 
to  manage  our  Parroshall  affairs  and  Being  unconnected  with 
the  other  Society  in  said  town  we  your  Humble  Petitioners 
pray  this  Honorable  Court  to  Pass  an  act  to  Encorporate  Said 
Society  with  full  Power  to  transact  their  own  matters  as  Con- 
cern them  at  any  time  as  are  Incident  to  a Religious  Society 
we  Desire  that  said  Incorporation  may  be  such  that  any  Person 
or  Persons  may  hereafter  have  Liberty  at  any  time  to  Joyn  this 
Society  or  withdraw  them  selves  therefrom  as  they  may  see  fit 
and  as  in  Duty  Bound  w^e  your  humble  Petitioners  Shall  Ever 
Pray 

Meredith  April  1797 


Abraham  Swain 
John  Mead 
Stephen  Mead 
Ebeff  Pitman 


Jesse  Plumer  Ju*" 
Jethro  Pearson 
Nathaniel  Plumer 
Joseph  Goss 


William  pike 
Benjamin  Peas 
Timothy  Wamouth 
timothy  morrill 


MEREDITH. 


585 


Eben*^  Pitman  J*" 
Elias  Swain  Jun 
Edward  fox 
Elisha  Piper 
Daniel  Piper 
Daniel  Smith  3*^ 
Samuel  Edgerly 
Jesse  PI  timer 
Moses  Plumer 
Amos  Plumer 
nathan  plumer 
Taylor  Pearson 
Levi  Leavitt 
Joseph  Pearson 
Joshua  Woodman 
James  Sanborn 


W'"  Randlett 
Enoch  Gorden 
James  Gorden 
Levi  Randlet 
Amos  Levitt 
John  Robinson 
Nathanael  folsom 
thomas  Dolloff 
Joshua  Moses 
Joseph  Moses 
Joshua  Crocket 
thomas  Crosbie 
David  Boynton  J'' 
Jeremiah  Pike 
John  Swain 
Samuel  Sibley 


Benjamin  Crosbie 
James  Peas 
Nicholas  Smith 
Joseph  Pease 
Jonathan  Farrar 
Philip  Connor 
Bradstreet  Wiggin 
John  McDaniel 
hesekiah  swain 
David  Lawrence 
Stephen  Farrer 
Job  Judkins 
Jonathan  Killey 
Gordon  Lawrence 
Abraham  Drake 


the  under  Signed  have  no  objections  to  the  prayer  of  the 
within  Petition  being  Granted  we  being  Inhabitants  of  said 


meredith — 

may  1797— 
Ebenezer  Smith 
Daniel  Smith 
Isaac  farrar 
Robert  Bryant 


Eben*"  Weeks 
Reuben  morgin 
James  Nichols 
John  Cate 


Jonathan  Page 
Elias  Philbrick 
John  Perkins 
Daniel  Colby 


[A  copy  of  the  foregoing  was  posted  at  the  house  of 
David  Boynton  Inholder,”  and  served  on  the  selectmen. 
See  following  document. — Ed.] 


[7-55]  ote  of  Town  relative  to  the  Baptist  Society^ 

Strafford  ss  Meredith  August  28*^  ^797 

At  a Legal  town  Meeting  this  day  holden  at  the  North  Meet- 
ing House  in  said  town  the  fourth  article  in  the  Warrant  for 
said  Meeting  to  Consider  of  the  Petition  of  the  Baptist  Society 
of  this  town  at  the  General  Court  of  this  State  Praying  for  an 
incorporation 

Voted  that  they  would  not  uppose  the  Petition  of  the  Baptist 
Society  at  the  General  Court  praying  for  an  incorporation — 

The  Above  is  a true  Coppy  from  record  Attest — 

Daniel  Smith  J^  Town  Clerk 

[The  society  was  incorporated  by  an  act  passed  Dec.  14, 

1 797-— Ed.] 


586 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


MERRIMACK. 

All  that  portion  of  this  town  lying  south  of  Souhegan 
river  was  included  in  the  Dunstable  grant  of  1673  ; the 
north  part  was  a portion  of  Narragansett  No.  5,  and  was 
called  Souhegan  East  for  some  years. 

In  1746  “Old  Dunstable”  was  divided  : the  north-west 
corner  was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Monson,  and  the 
south-east  corner  by  the  name  of  Dunstable,  on  the  first 
day  of  April  ; the  south-west  corner  by  the  name  of  Holies^ 
April  3 ; and  the  north-east  corner  by  the  name  of  Merri- 
mack, April  2. 

By  this  charter  the  latter  town  comprised  that  portion 
only  of  its  present  territory  which  lies  south  of  Souhegan 
river.  Col.  Joseph  Blanchard  was  authorized  to  call  the 
first  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Merrimack. 

In  1750  the  inhabitants  petitioned  for  an  addition  on 
account  of  the  small  amount  of  their  territory  ; and  on  the 
first  day  of  June  of  that  year,  their  request  was  granted  by 
the  addition  of  that  portion  of  the  town  lying  north  of 
Souhegan  river. 

By  an  act  passed  Feb.  i,  1755,  the  town  was  authorized 
to  assess  and  collect  a tax  of  sixpence  per  acre,  on  all  the 
non-resident  lands  in  town,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 
meeting-house. 

Hon.  Matthew  Thornton,  who  was  for  many  years  a resi- 
dent of  this  town,  was  a member  of  the  first  congress,  and 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
He  died  June  24,  1803,  at  the  age  of  89  years. 


[7-59]  \^Sarah  Lutwyche^  relative  to  Ferry ^ ^775 

To  the  Honorable  Congress  for  the  Colony  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 

The  petition  of  Sarah  Lutwyche  Humbly  Sheweth  that  your 
petitioner  removed  from  Boston  into  the  town  of  merrimake 
fifteen  years  ago  Last  Aprill  and  hired  the  farm  & ferry  of  Cap* 
Comings  whereon  I have  Lived  Ever  Sence  and  my  Honourd 
father  Left  me  Some  Land  in  Said  town,  Some  Lettel  time 
after  my  removal  as  aforesaid  I Exchanged  away  my  Land  with 
Said  Comings  for  the  Said  farm  I now  Live  on  & the  ferry 
which  farm  and  ferry  I have  Ever  sence  Enjoyed  untill  the 


MERRIMACK. 


587 


Latter  end  of  may  Last  past  at  which  time  a number  of  Gen- 
tlemen viz  m*"  Jonathan  Blanchard  m*’  John  Neal  and  others 
from  merrimake  and  Letchfeld  as  I am  Informed  assembled 
and  took  away  the  Ferry  from  me  and  have  Ever  sence  taken 
the  profet  and  Hire  thereof  to  there  own  use  and  as  I am  in- 
formed diveded  it  between  the  two  towns  which  is  depriving 
and  takeing  from  me  my  own  Estate  for  which  I paid  a valu- 
able Consideration  and  whereon  I depended  for  Considerabel 
parte  of  my  Supporte  and  have  ben  reduced  to  many  difficultys 
and  Inconveniences  on  acct  thereof  in  my  aged  widowed  State 
wherefore  I humbly  pray  that  your  Honors  wold  be  so  kind  as 
to  take  this  matter  into  your  Consideration  and  order  that  those 
persons  that  have  been  so  unkind  as  to  take  away  my  property 
' as  aforesaid  Shall  restore  me  the  same  aforesaid  and  the  hire  or 
use  thereof  Sence  that  time  and  your  petitioner  as  in  duty 
bound  Shall  Ever  pray — 

merrmak  oct  1 775 

Sarah  Lutwyche 

Gentlemen  I am  advanced  in  years  and  am  in  a poor  State  of 
helth  which  maks  it  allmost  imposabel  for  me  to  wait  upon 
you  and  have  no  frind  near  me  but  what  is  fearfull  to  appear  at 
the  Congress  for  me  wherefore  I hope  you  will  be  So  Kind  as 
to  Excuse  me  in  Giving  you  this  trubel  as  I Know  of  no  other 
way  of  Relief  or  Redress  but  this  and  if  any  difficulty  Should 
appear  why  the  prayer  of  my  petition  should  not  be  Granted 
pray  your  Honors  would  appint  some  Gentleman  to  Speak 
for  me — 

I am  Gen*  Y*"  Hum*  Ser* 

Sarah  Lutwyche 

A Coppey  of  my  petition  and  Lettre  to  the  Gentelman  of  the 
Congress  at  Exeter 

[Mrs.  Lutwyche  was  the  mother  of  Edward  Goldstone 
Lutwyche.  See  p.  239,  ante. — Ed.] 


[7— 5S]  \_Report  of  Co77tmittee  oti  the  Roreg'oi7tg‘,~\ 

In  Congress  at  Exeter  Novem’"  2^  i775 

A petition  of  Sarah  Lutwytche  of  Merimack  complaining 
that  the  profits  of  a Ferry  had  been  taken  from  her  by  the  Com- 
mittees of  Safety  for  the  Towns  of  Merimack  and  Litchfield, 
(all  which  is  particularly  Set  forth  in  her  said  Petition),  being 


588 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


read  and  M’’  Jonathan  Blanchard  being  heard  in  behalf  of  said 
Committees — 

Resolved  that  the  said  Ferry  ought  Imediately  to  be  given 
up  to  said  Petitioner,  and  that  the  Person  who  has  Improved 
the  same  under  the  direction  of  the  aforesaid  Committees  Ac- 
count to  the  Petitioner  for  the  Profits  that  have  arose  since  he 
has  held  it  by  order  of  said  Committee. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes 

attest  E Thompson  Sec*^ 


1^7-60]  \^Remonstrance  to  Petition  of  Matthew  Phornton  for 

a Ferry ^ iy84.~\ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Councel  & House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  Conveen’d  at  Exeter  on 
the  Last  Tuesday  of  march  1784 


the  Petition  of  the  subscribers  Humbly  shew 

That  we  are  Inform’d  that  Matthew  Thornton  Esq^  Has  pe- 
titioned your  Honors  that  he  may  have  the  Exclusive  right  of 
ferrying  people  over  merrimack  river  where  CoP  Lutwyche  for- 
merly keept  the  ferry  and  that  a Hearing  is  Appointed  the  2^ 
Wednesday  of  your  next  session 

We  Humbly  pray  that  his  petition  may  not  be  Granted  first 
Because  it  wou’d  be  unjust  that  he  should  have  the  Benefit  of 
the  ferry  when  the  Owners  & proprietors  of  Brintons  farm  have 
been  at  so  much  Cost  and  Exspence  in  Reserving  lands  on  both 
sides  merrimack  river  keeping  proper  Vesels  for  & tending  the 
ferry  2‘^ly  because  that  CoP  Thornton  sence  he  has  Lived 
there  has  paid  little  or  no  Attention  to  serve  the  publick  in  that 
way  and  if  your  Honors  Grant  his  petition  the  public  as  well  as 
your  petitioners  will  be  much  Injuired  as  all  that  are  Aquainted 
with  him  know  that  he  never  did  attend  to  such  matters  neither 
can  it  be  Exspected  he  ever  will 

Therefore  we  Humbly  pray  your  Honors  not  to  Grant  his 
said  petition  all  which  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  do 
sincerely  pray 

March  4^^  1784 


George  moore 
James  Betton 
Robert  Nesm‘^ 
Thomas  M'^Cleary 
Wilieam  moor 
John  Thompson 


John  M'^Keen 
Joseph  Hobbs 
Josiah  Gillis 
Tho®  Maclaughlin 
Samuel  Goffe 
James  Martin  Juner 


James  M'^Laughlin 
of  Bedford 
John  Parker 
Amos  Martin 
John  Patten 
David  Patten 


MERRIMACK. 


589 


Robert  Dickey 
Joseph  Harvell 
Will"'  Campbell 
Josiah  Jones 
John  Taylor 
Jesse  Jones 
James  Taylor 
Reuben  Senter 
Jacob  Nickals 
John  Campbell 
Henry  Campbell 
Jonathan  Gregg 
Jacob  Kendal 
Seth  Hadley 
Henery  Hale  iur 
Moses  Barker 
Uriah  wri  ght 
Daniel  Wyman 
William  Davidson 
Isaac  Levingston 
John  Mac  keen 
Junier 

Gideon  Butler 


Griggs  Goff 
Joseph  Maclaughlin 
Samuel  Moor 
Joshua  Peirce 
Zachariah  Richard- 
son 

Nehemiah  ordway 
Levi  Andrews 
John  marshall 
Samuel  Brown 
James  Gorman 
Edward  Pollard 
Benjamin  Dows 
Math'^  Patten 
Samuel  Patterson 
James  Martin 
William  nPallster 
James  Patten 
Adam  Smith 
Will""  Moor  Juff 
Joseph  Patten 
Adam  Dickey  of 
Bedford 


Joseph  Bell 
Josiah  Chandler 
Jonathan  Parker 
William  Cambell 
William  Dickey 
Adam  Dickey 
Stephen  Chase 
Joseph  Tufts 
Je"  Marsh 
David  Woodburn 
Samuel  Eyers 
Joseph  Chapman 
John  march 
Moses  Towns 
Ephraim  Dimond 
John  Nours 
Edward  Ela 
James  Rogers 
James  Gregg 
Matthew  Dickey 
Samuel  Thomson 
Robert  Lyons 


[7-61]  \_Another  Remonsti'ayice  to  samer\ 

To  the  Hon''^®  the  Councel  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  Conveen’d 
at  Exeter  the  last  Tuesday  of  March  1784 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Humbly  shews 

That  in  some  of  the  Late  New  Hampshire  news  papers  They 
have  seen  it  Advertis’d  that  Matthew  Thornton  Esqr  Hath  Pe- 
tition’d Your  Honors  that  the  Exclusive  priviledge  of  Ferrying 
people  over  Merrimack  River  might  be  granted  to  him  as  set 
forth  in  said  petition  and  that  your  Honors  have  Order’d  a 
hearing  thereon  the  2*^  Wednesday  of  Your  next  session,  that 
any  person  may  then  Appear  & shew  Cause  (if  any  they  Have) 
why  the  prayer  thereof  should  not  be  Granted — And  as  the 
Granting  such  Petition  may  be  very  Injurious  to  the  publick  as 
well  as  to  Your  Petitioners:  they  most  Humbly  beg  leave  to 
Remonstrate  and  Shew. — 

That  your  petitioners  are  Owners  & Inhabitants  of  a Farm  of 
the  Greatest  part  of  the  farm  mentioned  in  the  said  Petition 
Called  Brintons  Farm — An  Ancient  Grant — lying  on  both 
sides  of  Merrimack  River  and  now  known  by  the  names  of 


590 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Litchfield  & merrimack  and  principally  included  within  said 
Towns  & Conceive  themselves  Entitled  in  proportion  to  their 
Intrests  to  all  the  priviledges  & Immunities  within  the  Bounds 
of  said  Farm  wheither  by  Land  or  Water — and  Humbly  Con- 
ceive the  public  as  well  as  themselves  wou’d  be  Greatly  Injured 
if  the  prayer  of  that  Petition  should  be  Granted.  As  it  is  not 
Likely  the  ferry  will  be  tended  in  the  manner  it  Ought  to  be 
while  under  the  direction  of  CoP  Thornton  as  heithertoo  he  has 
paid  little  Attention  to  it  Notwithstanding  he  mentions  the  ferry 
to  be  the  main  Inducement  to  his  buying  the  farm — neither 
should  we  be  willing  an  Exclusive  right  of  Ferrying  there 
should  be  Granted  to  any  person  in  such  a manner  as  to  become 
a part  of  his  Estate. 

it  is  suggested  in  said  Petition  that  the  Court  of  General  ses- 
sions of  the  peace  in  the  County  of  middlesex  Appointed  Jona- 
than Cumings  to  keep  said  ferry  and  that  Cumings  sold  it  to 
CoP  Lutwyche. 

we  dont  know  that  the  General  sessions  of  the  peace  for  the 
County  of  Middlesix  Granting  Licence  to  Cumings  to  tend  said 
ferry  Gave  him  a right  to  the  ferry  or  in  any  manner  Intitled 
him  to  Convey  the  same  to  any  person  whomsoever — we  denye 
that  Cumings  sold  it  to  CoP  Lutwyche  as  not  the  Least  mention 
is  made  thereof  in  Cuminges  deed  to  Lutwyche 

it  is  also  mentioned  in  said  Petition  that  said  Lutwyche  Ob- 
tained from  the  Governor  of  New  Hamp’’  a Grant  of  said  ferry 
to  him  his  Heirs  & Assigns  forever  and  that  the  said  Petitioner 
is  the  Legal  Owner  thereof 

If  so  it  seems  needless  to  Trouble  your  Honors  with  a peti- 
tion as  he  may  have  remedy  at  Common  Law  if  he  is  Dis- 
turbed in  his  property  we  Cant  Conceive  your  Honors  will 
Indulge  Petitioners  in  matters  that  can  be  properly  Decided  in 
a Leagal  way  else  where  and  further  we  beg  Leave  to  Inform 
your  Honors  that  CoP  Thornton  has  commenced  a Suit  against 
us  on  this  very  matter  which  is  now  pending ; and  to  be  Call’d 
to  Answer  at  this  Court  and  at  a Law  court  at  one  and  the 
same  time  Appears  Rather  Vexatious,  that  should  your  Honors 
make  any  regulations  Concerning  the  said  ferry  we  beg  we 
may  be  Considered  and  that  a ferry  may  be  Established  on  the 
east  side  of  said  river  for  the  sole  use  and  Benefet  of  the  pro- 
prietors and  Owners  of  s*^  Brintons  farm 

This  Petition  will  be  Presented  and  Inforced  by  our  Coun- 
sell who  will  represent  us  in  what  is  further  needful  in  the 
premises  which  we  doubt  not  will  have  a patient  hearing  all 
which  is  submitted  to  your  wise  & Impartial  Judgment  and 
Determination  and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  Ever 
pray— 

Litchfield  march  4**^  ^7^4 


MERRIMACK. 


591 


Daniel  Kendall 
Samuel  Chase 
Gershom  Harvell 
David  M^Quig 
Daniel  Bixby 
Jacob  VVhittemore 
Joseph  Chase 
James  Underwood 
Josiah  Richardson 
David  Cole 
Daniel  Blodget 


Benjamin  Blodget 
William  Reed 
Samuel  senter 
Robert  Patterson 
Wyseman  Claggett 
Daniel  Kendal  JuiP 
William  Bixby 
James  Harwood 
Ebenezer  Chase 
James  Caldwell 
William  Whittle 


Wentworth  Claggett 
James  Russell 
Thomas  Whittle 
Simeon  Chase 
Joseph  Barnes 
John  hildreth 
Samuel  Brown 
William  Hildreth 
James  Nahor  y®  3*^ 
Sam^^  Chase  Ju^ 


[The  exclusive  privilege  of  keeping  a ferry  at  this  place 
was  granted  by  Gov.  Benning  Wentworth,  July  8,  1776,  to 
Edward  Goldstone  Lutwyche,  and  managed  by  him  until 
April  20,  1775,  at  which  time  he  left  the  place  and  went  to 
the  enemy  in  Boston.  His  mother,  Mrs.  Sarah,  continued 
the  ferry  until  it  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  com- 
mittees of  safety  of  the  towns  of  Merrimack  and  Litch- 
field ; they  were,  however,  on  the  third  of  November,  1775, 
directed  by  the  legislature  to  give  up  the  ferry  to  Mrs.  Lut- 
wyche. 

The  following  extract  from  the  records  of  the  committee 
of  safety  of  the  state.  Sept.  10,  1778,  indicates  that  she  died 
not  long  prior  to  that  date  : 

“Appointed  CoP  Nichols,  M^’  Underwood  & Maj^  Chase 
to  take  an  Inventory  & possession  of  the  Estate  of  Sarah 
Lutwyche,  D®.” 

An  act  passed  April  14,  1784,  granting  to  Matthew 
Thornton  the  exclusive  right  of  keeping  a ferry  over  the 
river  within  the  distance  of  two  miles  above  or  below  his 
house. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-271]  \_JVatha?iiel  Garjield^  Quarter'- Master ^ 1779-^ 

The  Petition  of  Nathaniel  Gearfield  of  Merrimac  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Hillsborough  Gentleman 

That  your  Petitioner  in  August  last  went  a Volunteer  in  the 
last  Campaign  to  Rhode  Island  in  1778,  and  there  served  as 
Qiiartermaster  of  the  Brigade  of  New  Hampshire  Volunteers 
under  the  Command  of  Brigadier  GeU  Whipple  and  expected 
to  have  been  made  up  in  a Staff'  Roll  accordingly,  but  by  some 


1 


592  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

means  was  Neglected,  and  have  never  received  any  pay  for  said 
service  * * * 

In  behalf  of  the  Petitioner — 

Moses  Nichols 

[Nov.  6,  1783,  said  Garfield  petitioned  for  an  allowance 
for  a mare  lost  in  said  service. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-273]  \_Soldier* s Order ^ 1^82 

Merrimack  July  1782. 
To  the  Treas^  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

For  value  Rec^  Please  to  pay  Capt  William  Barron  the 
whol  of  my  wages  for  serving  under  CoP  Jonson  at  Coos 

Witness  my  hand — 

Abel  Davis  £8,  7?  9 


[R.  2—274]  \_Relative  to  }Villiam  Cowen^  Soldier.^ 

[In  a petition  dated  June  3,  1784,  Timothy  Taylor  and 
Jacob  McGaw,  selectmen  of  Merrimack,  stated  that  one 
William  Cowen,  a soldier  in  the  Continental  army  from  the 
town  of  Merrimack,  had  by  mistake  been  credited  to  the 
town  of  Amherst. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-276]  \^Petition  in  behalf  of  fames  Taylor.^ 

To  the  General  assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

Humbly  shews  James  Taylor  late  of  Merry  mac  in  said  state 
that  your  Petitioner  served  in  the  Regim*  Commanded  by  Lieu* 
CoP  Stephen  Peabody  at  Rhodisland  as  Qiiarter  master  of  that 
Regiment  during  the  Continuance  thereof  and  as  Sundry  offi- 
cers of  that  Corps  have  had  an  allowance  of  Depreciation  (so 
called)  he  prays  that  he  may  be  Considered  in  the  same  way 
as  others  are  of  that  Regiment  * * 

June  2^  1785 

TinP  Taylor 

In  Behalf  of  James  Taylor 


MERRIMACK. 


593 


[y-83]  \_Relative  to  the  Election  of  Representative^  1^62. 

To  the  Gen'^  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  New  Hamp’’®  now 
held  at  Portsmouth  in  s^  Prov® 


The  Petition  of  the  freeholders  of  Merrim®  in  s*^  Province 
Humblv  Sheweth  that  on  the  fourth  Day  of  March  Instant  the 
freeholders  of  s*^  Merrimac  and  Monson  was  assembled  at 
s*^  Merrimac  to  Elect  a person  to  Represent  them  in  the 
Gen^^  Assembley  and  Joseph  Blanchard  Esq’'  was  Declared 
to  be  Elected  Representative  for  s*^  Towns  But  the  Elec- 
tion of  him  was  Illegal  for  the  vots  of  some  persons  who 
had  an  Estate  in  Merrim®  where  the  s*^  Choice  was  Sufficant 
to  Qualify  them  for  voters  according  to  Law  was  Refused  and 
and  others  Allowed  to  vot  in  s’^  Election  who  was  Not  Qiialli- 
fied  according  to  Law  the  Election  of  s*^  Blanchard  was  not 
made  by  a majority  of  voters  who  Had  an  Estate  in  s’^  Mer- 
rim® as  the  Law  Requires  But  by  Persons  from  Monson  Hollis 
& Amherst  who  had  no  Estate  in  s’^  Merrim®  our  Being  joined 
with  Monson  in  the  Choice  of  a Representative  instead  of  be- 
ing a previlidge  Strips  us  of  all  that  Previlidge  which  By  Law 
we  ought  to  Enjoy  in  that  Respect  for  Being  Called  to  Meet 
together  and  Act  Contrary  to  a positive  Law  of  the  Prov®  puts 
us  in  the  utmost  Confusion  when  Mett  we  theirfor  pray  that  s*^ 
Meeting  may  be  Declared  nul  and  s'^  Election  set  aside  because 
Illegal  and  that  all  the  other  Elections  of  the  Like  Kind  may 
be  set  asid  as  unlawfull  Elections  and  that  the  Persons  thus 
Elected  Contrary  to  Law  may  be  dismissed  with  s*^  Blanchard 
(viz)  John  Goffe  Esq’’  Cap‘  Sam^  Grele  Cap‘ Jonathan  Cotton 
& M’-Jo*  Wri  ght  that  they  who  are  thus  Elected  Contrairy 
to  Law  May  Not  Be  Sufiered  to  sit  in  the  Hon^  Assembly 
to  pas  Laws  and  votes  for  others  we  Dont  Beg  for  favours 
without  Right  but  pray  that  we  may  be  Defended  in  our  Law- 
full  Rights  and  Previlidges  and  for  the  Due  Execution  of  Laws 
so  far  as  lyes  in  your  power  that  we  may  Share  in  the  Com- 
mon Hapiness  of  the  Province  Laws  Under  the  Goverment  of 
So  Good  a King  as  we  Now  Enjoy  And  we  Desire  that  the 
Carictore  and  Conduct  of  s’^  Blanchard  May  Bee  Enquired  into 
and  Considered  which  we  Judge  is  Such  as  renders  him  unfit 
of  a Sate  in  the  GeU  Assembly  and  that  he  May  Be  Desmis*^ 
for  that  if  Not  for  the  other  Reasons  and  we  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Prav 

Merrim®  March  Y®  13^^’  1762 


Samuel  Spaulding 
William  Henry 
Charity  Lund 
Sam’^  Caldwell 
40 


Thomas  Vickere  Jur  James  Gillmor 


John  henery 
James  miller 
William  Alld 


John  vickere 
James  moors  junr 
Smith 


594 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  Roby 
James  Moor 
Robart  Griffen 
Samuel  m'^Conihe 
John  m‘^Conihe 
David  Thomnson 


John  Thomas 
Joseph  farmer 
Benjamin  Vickere 
Robert  Gillmor 
Samuel  Gillmor 
Thomas  vickere 


Patrick  Taggart 
Robert  ’"‘'Cormick 
William  Arbuckle 
Samuell  miller 
Ebenezer  Hills 

William  m'^Elerv 

•/ 


MIDDLETON. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  proprietors 
March  21,  1770,  and  incorporated  by  the  legislature  March 
4,  1778. 

In  1785  the  inhabitants  of  the  north  part  of  Middleton, 
and  those  of  a portion  of  Wolfeborough,  attempted  to  get  set 
off  from  their  respective  towns  and  be  incorporated  into  a 
separate  town.  The  scheme  did  not  succeed,  being  strongly 
opposed  by  Wolfeborough  and  the  south  part  of  Middleton. 

In  1794  the  matter  was  again  brought  before  the  legisla- 
ture, and  the  town  was  divided  by  an  act  passed  Dec.  30  of 
that  year,  the  north  part  being  incorporated  into  a town  by 
the  name  of  Brookfield. 

The  town  was  settled  by  men  from  Rochester  and  Lee. 


[7-62] 


\_Petition  for  an  hicorporation^  777J.] 


Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  His  Excellency — John  Wentworth  Esquire  Captain  Gen- 
eral, & Commander  in  chief  in  & over  said  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  &c  &c  and  to  The  Honorable  His  Majestys 
Council  for  the  Same — 


The  Humble  petition  of  a Number  of  the  inhabitants  & pro- 
prietors of  the  Township  of  Middletown  in  the  County  of 
Strafibrd  & province  aforesaid  being  a tract  of  land  granted  by 
the  proprietors  of  Masons  patent  so  Call’d  on  the  21st  day  of 
March  A D 1770 — Most  Humbly  sheweth  that  great  progress 
is  made  & is  still  making  towards  the  Compleat  Settlement  of 
said  tract  of  land,  and  that  the  inhabitants  & proprietors  there- 
of have  been  at  great  expence  & Charge  in  making  public  roads 
through  said  Township  for  the  benefit  of  His  Majestys  Ser- 
vice— Your  petitioners  therefore  prays  that  your  Excellency 
and  Honours  would  be  pleas'’  to  incorporate  said  tract  of  Land 
into  a Township  with  such  privaledges  as  other  Towns  enjoy 


'/./A 


MIDDLETON. 


595 


within  this  Province  by  the  bounds  and  limits  containd  in  s® 
Grant  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 


Middletown  July 

John  Drew 
William  Hill 
Nicholas  Tuttle 
Nathaniel  Varney 
Isaac  Drew 


h 1773- 

Nathaniel  Went- 
worth 

Josiah  Johnson 
Henry  Young 
Joseph  Cook 


John  henson 
John  Tash 
Ezekiel  Sanborn 
Isaac  Stanon 
John  Gage 


[Not  granted. — Ed.] 


[7~^3]  {^Province  Pax.~\ 


Middletown  i775i 
1776, 

7”  4” 

4,,  6,,  6 

1777- 

27,,  14,,  4 

£39^^  4’’  10 

an  Extent  was  Issued  & the  above 

Sum  of  Thirty  Nine 

pounds  four  shillings  & Ten  pence  paid 

in  Certificates — 

J.  T.  Gilman 

[7-64] 


\^Petition  to  be  Incorf  orated. 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honb'®  General  Assembly  of  said  State  now  conven’d 
at  Exeter 

The  memorial  of  Simeon  Dearborn  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  Middletown  Leavits  Town  (so  called)  Humbly 
shews  that  said  Inhabitants  are  not  incorporated  into  Towns, 
but  were  by  the  Gen^  Court  of  said  State  (when  under  the 
former  Goverment)  Authorized  to  chuse  Selectmen  and  a Con- 
stable for  the  Sole  purpose  of  Raising  a Province  Tax — Since 
the  late  distraction  of  the  Times  have  neglected  to  chuse  said 
Officers,  by  which  means  they  are  return’d  to  a State  of  Na- 
ture— Therefore  your  Memorilest  Humbly  prays  that  said  In- 
habitants may  be  invested  with  Town  priveledges,  and  in  such 
a manner  (if  consistant)  as  to  retain  the  Proprietary  prive- 
ledges as  heretofore — and  your  Petitioner  shall  as  in  duty 
Bound  ever  pray — 

Exeter  March  10*^  ^777 

Simeon  Dearborn 


[In  answer  to  this,  Middleton  was  incorporated  March  4, 
1778. — Ed.] 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


596 

[R.  2-277]  {^Soldiers’  Orders.~\ 

Middletown  Ocf  27  1784 

To  the  Paymaster  of  Cap‘  Jacob  Smith  Company  in  Col°  Ray- 
nelds  Reg‘  in  the  year  1781 

Sir  Plese  to  Pay  Daniel  Cook  or  order  all  that  is  due  to  me 
from  the  State  I having  been  a Soldier  in  the  aforesaid  Com- 
pany and  for  the  town  of  Middletown  Value  Received 

Witness  my  hand  Aaron  Buzzell 

test — 

Joseph  Plummer  Jonathan  Gilman 
£6,  4,  o. 

[R.  2-278] 

Middletown  February  1785  To  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  Sir  Please  to  pay  Dan^  Cook  or 
his  order  all  that  is  due  to  my  late  Son  William  Lear  who  was 
a Soldier  in  the  2*^  Co  of  the  3*^  New  Hampshire  Regiment 
from  Middleton  and  died  in  the  Summer  of  1778 — Value  Rec*^ 

Witness  my  hand  William  Lear 

[John  Chamberlain,  town-clerk,  certified  that  said  Lear 
was  the  father  of  said  soldier. — Ed.] 

[R.  2-279] 

M*"  Treasurer  Sir  Please  to  pay  Joshua  Pickering  or  order 
all  the  arrears  of  wages  due  to  me  for  my  service  in  the  late 
war  in  the  Second  New  Hampshire  Regiment  his  receipt  shall 
be  your  Discharge — 

Witness  my  hand — Middletown  y®  Augs*  ^79^ 

Attest — Jonathan  Buzzell 

Andrew  Bickford 


[R.  2-280]  S^Petition  of  fokn  Barter^  Soldier. 

[In  a petition  dated  Middletown,  Nov.  4,  1788,  John  Barter 
stated  “ that  whiles  He  was  in  the  Service  of  the  United 
States  being  a Serjeant  in  Capt  Blodgets  Company  in  the 
New  Hampshire  Regiment,  He  received  a dangerous  wound 
in  Battle,  was  shot  through  the  thigh.”  He  was  wounded 
Sept.  19,  I777»  asked  for  an  allowance,  and  was  placed  on 
the  pension-list  at  the  rate  of  two  dollars  per  month. — Ed.] 


MIDDLETON. 


597 


[7-65]  \^jRelafive  to  the  Town's  ^uota  of  Soldiers^  1^83.^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
said  State  in  General  Assembly  convened  at  Concord  the  29 
Day  of  October  17S3 

Humblv  Shew  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants  of  said  town  of  Middleton  Situate  in  the  County  of  Straf- 
ford and  State  aforesaid  that  your  Petitioners  by  reason  of  the 
Scarcity  of  Corn  and  other  Provisions  among  them  Some  Fami- 
lys  have  been  Greatly  distressed  and  your  Petitioners  not  Have- 
ing  Provision  to  sell  to  procure  Money  have  not  been  able  to 
get  their  Proportion  of  Soldiers  nor  to  pay  their  tax  for  the 
year  lySzand  for  their  Neglecting  to  get  their  Porportion  of 
Soldiers  the  Estates  of  the  Selectmen  have  been  attached  for 
the  Sum  of  £256  pound  Lawfull  money  the  whole  of  which 
Sum  your  Petitioners  are  not  willing  to  pay  by  reason  of  their 
having  two  of  said  Soldiers  in  the  Sarvice  Namely  Samuel 
Leach  and  Edward  Elies  but  by  Reason  of  not  Laying  Claim 
to  said  Soldiers  in  Season  is  the  Cause  of  so  Large  a Sum  but 
the  Reason  of  their  not  Laying  Claim  to  said  Soldiers  in 
Season  was  because  the  act  was  not  Sent  to  said  town  before 
the  time  was  Expired  for  Laying  said  Claim  Wherefore  your 
Petitioners  Humbly  Pray  that  your  Honours  would  take  the 
indigent  Circumstances  of  your  Petitioners  under  your  Consid- 
eration and  take  of  part  of  said  Sum  and  Grant  them  Longer 
time  to  procure  the  money  to  pay  their  taxes  or  Such  Relief  as 
in  your  Wisdom  may  be  Judged  Proper  and  your  Petitioners  as 
in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray  &c 

Middleton  October  y®  16 — 17S3 

John  Chamberlain  \ Selectmen 
Jacob  Pike  > of 

Josiah  York  j Middleton 


Nathaniel  Perkins 
John  Drew 
Nicholas  Frost 
Nathaniel  went  worth 
Jethro  Horn 
John  Whithous 
Daniel  Whithous 
JoShua  Guppy 
John  herick 
Chas  Weofans 
Samuel  Johnson 
Josiah  Johnson 


Waldron  Kinnison  Josiah  Wille 
Walter  Robonson  David  Durgin 
CaD‘  Frances  Math-  Bart  Richards 


ers 

William  Buzzell 
Joseph  Elies 
David  watson 
Peter  stellings 
Richard  Hanson 
W™  Chamberlin 
Stephen  Lyford 
John  Furnal 


Nicholas  austin 
William  Lyford 
John  Wille 
Isaac  Drew 
Josiah  Robinson 
Benjamin  Clay 
Tho®  Chamberlin 
Daniel  Drew 
Isaac  Stanton 


598 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  Richard 
Joseph  Bickford 
Solomon  Perkins 
John  Kinnison 


Ezekiel  Sanborn 
Moses  Perkens 
Moses  Whithouse 
Simon  Darborn 


Charls  Stanton 
Willuam  Hill 


[7-68]  \^Petition  for  a Division  of  the  Pown^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  HoiP^®  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  convened  at  Concord  third  Wednesday  of  Ocf  17S5 

Humbly  shew  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Second  Division  of 
Middletown  in  the  County  of  Strafford  and  State  aforesaid  that 
they  are  situated  at  great  distance  from  the  place  of  holding  the 
publick  meetings  in  said  Town,  prevented  from  going  to  the 
other  part  of  the  Town  where  most  of  the  Inhabitants  live, 
without  travelling  into  another  Town  first,  thro’  roads  almost 
impassable  for  great  part  of  the  Year — Your  Petitioners  being 
so  circumstanced  have  been  and  must  be  deprived  of  the  bene- 
fit of  all  Town  Priviledges  in  Middletown  while  they  belong 
thereto — That  as  your  Petitioners  can  more  conveniently  attend 
the  publick  Meetings  in  Wolfborough,  should  the  Meeting 
House  there  be  built  at  the  place  agreed  on — they  pray  that 
they  may  be  disannexed  from  Middletown  and  annexed  to 
Wolfborough,  or  otherwise  relieved  from  their  present  griev- 
ance— And  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
&c — 

Nicholas  Austin 


for  Petitioners 


Tho®  Chamberlin 
David  Durgin 
Peter  stellings 
James  Chamberlin 
Isaac  Drew 
moses  perkins 
Samuel  Tibbets 
Simon  Derburn 
William  Wille 
John  Fornel  Junyer 


In  behalf  of  John 

Ezekiel  Sanborn 
John  willey 
Charles  Stanton 
Josiah  Robinson 
John  Palmer 
Walter  Robinson 
Benjamin  Clay 
Charls  whithouse 
David  watson 
Wiliam  whithous 

For  Wolfsboroh 


)hn  martain 
& Andrew  Cabbot. 

Josiah  weggen 
Jesse  Wiggin 
Jos  wellea 
Richard  Hanson 
John  Stanton 
Elijah  Stanton 
Robert  Calder 
Sa.  kenerson 
Jon®^  Clay 
Jedidiah  Drew 


Timothy  Johnson 


Edmon  Tibbets 


Joshua  Haines 


MIDDLETON. 


599 


William  Cotton  Joseph  Kension 

Thomas  Cotton  Joseph  Hainess 

William  Cotton  Jun’’ Samuel  Tibbetts 
John  Pickren  Cotton  Juner 


William  Triggs 
John  Furbur 
Joseph  Leavitt 


[7-69] 


S^Remonstrance  to  the  foregoing.~\ 


State  of  New  Hamp''  Strafford  ss — 

To  the  Honorable  the  General  Court  of  said  State — 


The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Freeholders  and  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Middletown  in  said  State  Humbly  Shew- 
eth  that  we  your  Petitioners  are  much  Surprized  to  hear  that  a 
Number  of  People  Inhabiting  the  upper  part  of  our  Town  have 
petitioned  to  be  set  off  from  us  in  the  Infant  State  of  our  Town 
as  we  all  are  but  few  in  number  and  the  State  of  our  affairs 
both  Public  and  Private  such  that  if  Granted  we  apprehend 
would  be  a g^reat  Disadvantage  to  the  General  Welfare  and  Ad- 
vancement  of  the  Town  if  not  Ruin  Both  Therefore  we  Hum- 
bly pray  that  their  (said)  Petition  may  not  be  granted  or  at 
least  that  it  may  be  Suspended  to  some  filter  Day  and  your  Pe- 
titioners as  in  Duty  bound  shall  pray. 

Middle  Town  May  28^^  17S5. — 


Nathaniel  Perkins 
Solomon  perkins 
timothy  Hanson 
Jacob  Pike 
Joseph  Cook 
Robert  Cook 
John  Whitehouse 
Paul  Whithous 
Thomas  Baker 
Charles  Baker 
Jethro  Horn 
Joseph  Eles 


Ephraim  Eles 
John  Whithous  Ju 
Joseph  Bickford 
Trustom  Richards 
John  Richards 
Thomas  Garland 
Ebnezer  Garland 
Josiah  york 
Benjamin  york  JuiF 
Nathaniel  Went- 
worth 

Moses  Wentworth 


Josiah  Johnson 
Samuel  Johnson 
William  Buzzell 
Benjman  york 
John  York 
John  Kenston 
John  heicks 
George  Burnham 
Isaac  Stanton 
Josiah  Miac 
Jonathan  Whithous 


[The  petition  was  accompanied  by  two  lotted  plans  of 
Middleton,  showing  the  proposed  division,  which  may  be 
found  in  the  manuscript,  Volume  7,  Nos.  66  and  67.  The 
division  was  made  Dec.  30,  1794,  the  north  part  being  in- 
corporated into  a town  named  Brookfield.  Other  docu- 
ments relative  to  this  matter  will  be  published  with  Wolfe- 
borough  papers. — Ed.] 


6oo 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-71]  \_Relative  to  the  Townes  ^uota  of  Soldiers^ 


State  of  New  Hampshire  Strafford  ss  : 


To  the  Hon*’'®  Senate  & House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  convened  at  Portsmouth  the  Second  Wednesday  in 
December  1786 — 


Humbly  Shews  that  the  Town  of  midleton  in  said  County 
had  a Requisition  made  by  the  Gen*  Court  of  said  State  for 
their  Qiiota  of  men  for  the  Army  during  the  late  War — that  the 
Town  in  consequence  thereof  imploied  the  then  Selectmen  of 
said  Town  to  procure  the  men,  & said  Selectmen  did  actually 
procure  and  hire  two,  viz.  Samuel  Lear  & Robert  Ellis — that 
Elijah  Buzzell  one  of  the  Selectmen  & principle  actor  in  this 
matter,  himselfe  also  engaged  in  the  Army,  & in  a Secret  man- 
ner carried  off  the  principle  papers  Relative  to  this  matter, 
with  a considerable  Sum  of  the  Towns  money  & hath  not  as 
yet  return’d  papers,  money,  or  himself  That  when  the  town 
was  call’d  on  to  make  return  of  their  men  & make  out  their 
claims  to  such  as  were  disputed,  (the  Surviving  or)  Remain- 
ing Selectmen,  neglected  their  duty  herein — In  consequence 
whereof  an  Extent  hath  taken  place  against  the  Town,  & the 
Selectmen  have  endeavoured  to  raise  the  money,  but  find  it  im- 
practicable as  there  is  little  or  no  money  to  be  found  in  the 
Town,  beside  the  Town  view  it  as  a grievance  to  pay  for  the 
two  men  that  they  have  already  purchassed  & to  have  them 
transfer’d  to  other  towns  without  any  colour  of  Right — Where- 
fore your  Petitioners  (the  Inhabitants  of  Midleton  aforesaid) 
Humbly  pray  this  Hoff'®  Court  to  take  these  their  grievances 
into  their  wise  & deliberate  consideration  & grant  them  such 
Relief  as  their  Wisdom  & Lenity  shall  dictate  & your  Peti- 
tioners as  in  duty  Bound  shall  ever  pray 


Nicholas  austin 
Isaac  Drew 
Jedidiah  Drew 
Moses  Whitehous 
John  Fornel  junyr 
Charles  Stanton 
Josiah  Robinson 
Charles  Whitehouse 
Benjamin  Clay 
Jonathan  Clay 
Simon  Dearborn 
Richard  Hanson 
moses  Perkins 
James  Chamberlin 
William  Wille 


Stephen  Lyford 
Joseph  Cook 
Epefram  Ellis 
Jacob  Pike 
Robert  Cook 
Jonathan  White- 
house 

John  Drew 
Timothv  hanson 
Isaac  Stanten 
Solomon  Perkens 
Nathaniel  Perkens 
John  Whitehouse 
Arther  Benett 
Josiah  Johnson 


John  Kennisson 
John  York 
Francis  Mathes 
Josiah  York 
Nathnel  Wentworth 
Joh  hix 
Thomas  Baker 
Charles  baker 
Jonathan  Bickford 
John  Richards 
Trustum  Richards 
Benj  York 
Gideon  Johnson 
Ebenzer  Garland 
Thomas  Garland 


MIDDLETON. 


6oi 


W™  Chamberlin 
David  Watson 
David  Durgin 
Waldron  Kinnison 


Daniel  Whitehouse  Joshua  Guppy 
Samuel  Johnson  Joseph  Eles 
William  Buzzell 
Chase  Wiggin 


Simeon  Dearborn  Esq''  in  behalf  of  the  Selectmen  of  midle- 
town  W'Ould  further  Remonstrate  that  the  Town  of  Midleton 
hath  advansed  large  Sums  of  money  for  hiring  of  Soldiers  & 
paying  wages,  and  have  had  no  allowance  that  the  Selectmen 
were  not  notified  of  the  Trial  Respecting  the  disputed  Soldiers, 
therefore  prays  the  Honb^  Court  to  take  up  the  whole  matter  & 
give  all  reasonable  Releaf  to  the  Inhabitants  of  s'^  Town — 

Simeon  Dearborn 


[7“7^]  [ relative  to  Paper  Mo?iey^ 


At  a Legal  meeting  Held  at  Middleton  the  27  Day  of  No- 
vember 1786  at  which  time  maid  Choise  of  Richard  Hanson 
Modarator  of  said  meeting  firstly  Voted  not  to  Except  the  Plan 
respecting  a paper  Currancy  as  it  was  recommended  to  us  2ly 
Voted  to  Have  a Paper  Currancey  Established  in  said  State 
and  proposed  the  following  Plan  Viz  to  have  the  Sum  of  one 
Hundred  and  twenty  Thousand  Pounds  of  Paper  money  made 
in  s'^  State  ten  Thousand  of  monev  to  be  Lodsfed  in  the 
Treasurer  to  Defray  State  Charges  & fifty  Thousand  Pounds  of 
s*^  Money  to  Redeem  the  States  Securitys  and  the  other  Sixty 
Thousand  to  be  Loaned  on  Land  Securitys  said  money  to  Pay 
Back  taxes  & to  be  a Lawfull  Tender  in  all  Payments  & voted 
to  Except  the  above  Proposed  Plan  and  Desolved  s'^  meeting 
A true  Coppy  from  the  minets 
Attest 


Middleton  Nov*"  the  27  17S6 


John  Chamberlain  Clark 


[See  Vol.  XI,  p.  130.] 


[7-73]  \^Petitio7i  for  Abatement  of  Paxes ^ i’/8y.~\ 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representives  for  said 
State  in  General  Assemble  Convened — 

Humbly  shew  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Middleton  Situ- 
ate in  the  County  of  Strafford  and  State  aforesaid  that  we 
have  had  an  Extent  a Gainst  us  for  Taxes  for  the  years  1775  & 
177^  & ^777  which  Taxes  was  Layd  on  the  town  before  we 


602 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


were  incorporated  for  your  Honours  may  by  inquiring  Know 
that  we  was  not  incorporated  untill  the  year  177S  which  Taxes 
Sence  we  ware  incorporated  we  think  reasonable  to  pay  if  Pos- 
sible but  for  them  three  years  your  honours  may  also  know  that 
we  had  no  Select-men  to  assess  the  Inhabitents  which  were  but 
few  at  that  time  & some  part  of  them  has  removed  out  of  town 
Sence  altho  the  Extent  was  not  Large  yet  we  would  Humbly 
pray  that  your  Honours  would  take  the  indigent  Circumstances  of 
your  Petitioners  under  your  wise  Consideration  (altho  we  have 
paid  said  Extent)  and  refund  it  to  some  other  Tax  for  we  have 
had  an  Extent  against  the  town  for  Soldiers  and  it  would  be 
some  help  to  us  towards  paying  that  if  your  honours  think  it 
unreasonable  for  us  to  pay  the  taxes  for  them  three  years  and  if 
not  we  would  Humbly  pray  that  your  Honours  would  Provide 
means  for  us  to  Collect  said  taxes  by  Laying  the  assessment  on 
the  inhabitints  that  now  Lives  in  said  town  or  such  Relief  as 
in  your  Wisdom  may  be  Judged  Proper  and  your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 

Middleton  June  the  ^7§7 


other  Towns  adjacent  Humbly  represent  to  your  Excellency 


Middletown  there  being  none  already  appointed  Therefore 
Your  Petitioners  beg  leave  to  recommend  and  nominate  Cap* 


lency  & Honors  may  be  appointed  thereto  and  your  Petitioners 
as  in  duty  bound  will  pray  &c — 

Feby  10*^  1790 


C7“74]  S^Petition  for  a Magistrate^ 


State  of  Newhampshire  Strafford  ss — 


To  his  Excellency  the  President  and  Hoiff^®  Council  of  the  State 
afor'^ — 

The  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Middletown  and 


and  honors  that  a Justice  of  the  peace  is  much  wanted  in  s*^ 


Archelaus  Woodman  for  said  office  who  we  pray  Your  Excel- 


Joseph  Cook  George  Burnham  Moses  Wintworth 

Robert  Cook  Ephram  Ellis  Thomas  garling 

William  Cook  Andrew  Bickford  Benja  yorck 

Solomon  perkins  Samuel  Johnson  John  Richards 

John  Davis  Daniel  Whitehouse  James  gerish 

Samuel  Laighton  jur  John  Whitehouse  paul  gerish 


MILFORD. 


603 


Josiah  york 
Joseph  Ellis 
Jacob  picke 
Henery  picke 
Jacob  picke 
Joseph  Cook  Jur 
John  drew 
Daniel  Drew 
Aaron  Drew 
Andrew  Nute 
Jonathan  Clarck 
Samuel  Clarck 
Wilam  Buzell 
John  Buzell 
Wilam  Buzell  2 


Paul  Whitehouse 
John  whitehouse  Jur 
Samuel  froust 
John  heix 

Jonathan  Whithouse 
Nicholas  Frost 
Isaac  stanten 
Daniel  Drew  jur 
Jonathan  Buzzell 
John  bryant 
Timothy  hanson 
gideon  Johnson 
Aaron  Buzzell 
Josiah  Jonson 
Paul  twombly 


Stephen  Richards 
Moses  chamberling 
Josiah  folsom 
thomas  furber 
Nichelaus  Harford 
John  Burgan 
James  thomas 
Calab  Wacom 
Stephen  Harvey 
Jonathan  Hays 
Joseph  Larey 
Joseph  Larey  Jur 
John  yorck 
Joshua  gupey 


[7-75]  \^Relative  to  Divisioii  of  State  TaxJ\ 

We  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Middleton  find  the  pro- 
portion of  Middleton  to  be  four  pounds  one  Shilling  & Nine 
pence  £4 : is  : pd  and  have  Devided  the  Same  and 
find  the  North  part  to  be  ' £2  : 6s : od 

and  the  South  part  to  be  i : 15  : 9 

Middleton  December  : y®  8 : 1794 

Attest — 

James  Chamberlin  ^ Select  Men 
Jacob  Pike  > of 

Thomas  Garland  j Middleton 


[See  page  599,  ante. — Ed.] 


MILFORD. 

The  town  was  formed  of  territory  taken  from  the  north- 
west part  of  Hollis,  the  south-west  part  of  Amherst,  all 
that  portion  of  the  “mile  slip”  not  included  in  Brookline, 
and  an  ancient  grant  made  by  Massachusetts  to  the  school 
at  Duxbury,  called  “ Duxbury  School  Farm.”  It  was  incor- 
porated Jan.  II,  1794,  at  which  time  it  received  its  present 
name. 

The  mile  slip  referred  to  was  a strip  of  land  about  one 


6o4 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


mile  wide,  lying  west  of  the  old  Dunstable  grant  ; the 
southern  portion  of  which  had  been  incorporated  with  Raby 
(Brookline)  in  1769. 

An  attempt  was  made  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  resi- 
dent thereon  in  1779,  and  again  the  following  year,  to  get 
these  tracts  of  land  incorporated  into  a town  ; but  it  was 
opposed  by  Amherst,  and  was  not  successful. 

In  1792  the  south-west  part  of  Amherst  succeeded  in 
getting  erected  into  a parish,  after  which  the  town  gave  its 
consent  by  vote  to  its  entire  separation,  which  removed  the 
most  serious  obstacle  to  the  formation  of  Milford. 

An  addition  was  made  to  the  town  Dec.  20,  1842,  by  the 
annexation  of  another  portion  of  Amherst.  Another  ad- 
dition was  made  June  27,  1873,  of  territory  taken  from 
Lyndeborough. 


[R.  2-282]  [Asa  Lewis^  Soldier, 

To  Nicholas  Gilman  Esq*"  Receiver  General  for  the  Colony  of 
New  Hampshire — 

In  obedience  to  the  Late  Congress  for  this  Colony  this  may 
Certify  that  Asa  Lewis  of  Duxbury  School  farm  was  in  the 
Continental  Army  in  y®  year  1775  and  is  Inlisted  and  gone  into 
the  Service  this  year  for  which  Reason  Please  to  Allow  Stephen 
Blanchard  Collector  for  the  afore*^  farm  the  sum  of  Two  Shill- 
ings six  pence  and  one  farthen  Lawfull  Money  it  being  the  sum 
one  single  Pole  Pays  to  the  Colony  Tax 

s 

Duxbury  farm  & Mile  Slip  May  29,  177b 


Samuel  Gutterson  ] ^ 

• 1 ji  ( Assessor 

Daniel  Chandler  j 


[R.  2-283]  [Soldier’s  Order,, 

For  value  Rec*^  Sir  Pleas  to  Pay  to  Josiah  Munro  all  the 
wages  that  is  Due  to  Me  as  a Soldier  in  the  First  New  Hamp- 
shire Reg*  for  the  three  years  Service  and  my  arrearage  of 
Clothing  and  this  order  shall  be  a full  Discharge  from  me 

Mile  Slip  Jan^  12*^^  ^7^5 — 

his 

John  X M®Intire 

mark 

Test — Sarah  Bridges 
To  the  Treasury  of  the  State 


MILFORD. 


605 


[7-81]  \^Petition  for  an  Incorporation^  ^779*] 

To  the  Hon*’'®  the  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Hon'^'*  House 
of  Representatives  in  General  Assembly  at  Exeter  convened 
March  the  i779* 

The  humble  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Duxbury  Farm 
and  Mile  Slip  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough,  and  State  of  New 
Hamp*'®  whose  names  are  hereto  subscribed. 

Sheweth  That  they  are  not  suficiently  numerous  to  settle  and 
maintain  a Gospel  Minister,  and  it  is  not  likely  they  ever  will 
That  they  are  situate  between  the  Towns  of  Amherst  and 
Wilton  but  at  such  a distance  from  their  Meeting-houses,  that 
the  aged  and  infirm  are  utterly  unable  to  attend  public  Wor- 
ship, and  it  is  a great  Inconvenience  to  the  rest. 

That  divers  of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Towns  of  Lynds- 
borough  and  Amherst,  who  live  near  the  said  Duxbury  Farm 
and  mile  Slip  labour  under  the  same  disadvantage,  and  as  by 
reason  of  the  largeness  of  the  said  Towns,  and  number  of  the 
Inhabitants,  they  can  w^ell  be  spared,  are  very  desirous  of  being 
seperate  from  their  said  Towns,  and  annexed  to  said  Duxbury 
Farm  and  Slip.  Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  Your 
Honors  to  take  their  said  Case  into  vour  serious  Consideration 
and  that  (if  in  your  great  Wisdom  you  shall  see  proper)  your 
Pefi®  may  be  at  liberty  to  bring  in  a Bill,  in  order  to  annex  a 
certain  part  of  said  Amherst  and  Lyndborough  and  the  Inhabi- 
tants thereof  to  the  said  Duxbury  Farm  and  Slip,  Viz*  in  Am- 
herst Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  a lot  belonging  to 
william  Peabody  Ju'^*'  lying  on  amherst  west  line  thence  an  East 
point  396  Poles  being  the  width  of  six  lots  to  the  northeast 
Corner  of  a lot  belonging  to  from  thence  a southerly 

point  to  the  East  End  of  the  house  of  John  Burn  then  south  to 
the  south  line  of  amherst  then  by  s*^  line  to  the  east  side  of  the 
mile  slip 

and  in  Lyndsboro  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Dux- 
bury-school-farm  and  running  a westerly  point  by  the  north  end 
of  s'*  farm  and  mile  slip  to  the  east  line  of  wilton  then  running 
north  by  s'*  wilton  to  the  northeast  corner  of  s'*  wilton  thence  a 
East  point  to  amherst  w'cst  line  thence  a southerly  point  by 
amherst  west  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Duxbury  school 
farm 

And  that  the  wdiole  may  be  Erected  into  a Towmship  with 
such  Priviledges  and  Immunities  as  are  Enjoyed  by  other 
Towns  within  the  said  State. 

And  your  Pefi®  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray  &c 


6o6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Jonathan  Pearson 
Jun^ 

Edward  Kerwin 


Stephen  Burnam 
William  Wallace 
Abner  Hutchinson 
John  Bradford 
Richard  Gould 
Benjamin  Temple 
Ebenezer  Averil 
Richard  Ward 
Jeremiah  Burnam 


Lyndborough 

Nathan  pearson 
thomas  pearson 
John  Meeds 

Amherst 

Thomas  Carlton 
Elisha  Hutchinson 
Joshua  Burnam 
Caleb  Jones 
Benj^  Lewis 
David  Chandler 
Ebenezer  parson 
Samuel  parson 
Caleb  Jones 


Samuel  Town 
Isaac  Marshall 


william  Parson 
Richard  Boynton 
Ben“  Lewis  Ju' 
Jotham  Blanchard 
Thomas  pearson 
William  pearson 
Juner 

Amos  pearson 


[7-76]  \^Re7nonstrance  to  foregoing^  ^779 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 

in  New-Hampshire 

Whereas  certain  persons  belonging  to  Duxbury  School-Farm, 
Amherst,  Lyndeborough  & the  Mile  Slip  in  their  Petition  to 
Your  Hon*'®  of  March  last,  pray’d  that  they  might  be  Erected 
into  a Township  as  in  Said  Petition  expres’d  and  obtain’d  an 
Order  for  a hearing  before  the  Gen^  Assembly  on  the  second 
Thursday  of  their  next  sessions  after  the  17“^  of  June  AD  1779* 
and  We  being  Residents  & Proprietors  of  the  said  Mile-Slip, 
Humbly  pray  that  the  prayer  of  said  Petition  may  not  be  Grant- 
ed at  Present,  as  We  think  if  it  should  it  would  Greatly  Em- 
baras  & perplex  us.  We  therefore  pray  that  said  Petition  may 
be  dismissed. — 

Stephen  Blanchard 
Stephen  Blanchard  Jun*^ 
Benjamin  Wright 
Stephen  Williams 
Aaron  peabody 
Simon  Blanchard 

6 Persons 

N : B : We  non  Resident  Proprietors  in  the  within  named 
Amherst  & Mile-Slip  ; join  in  the  prayer  of  the  within  Petition, 
& pray  that  said  Amherst  & Said  Mile-Slip  may  remain  as  they 
are,  until  some  more  Convenient  season. — 

[A  similar  petition  was  signed  by  William  Peabody. 

— Ed.] 


MILFORD. 


607 


[7-78] 


\^Remonstrance  fi'om  AmkersL'\ 

$ 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  for  the 

State  afores^. — 


Whereas  the  Inhabitants  (or  certain  of  them)  of  Duxbury  Farm, 
otherwise  called  Duxbury  School-Farm,  and  Mile  Slip  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough  in  this  State,  in  march  last,  did  prefer 
a Petition  to  your  Honours  praying  that  they  might  be  erected 
into  a Township  together  with  certain  Parts  of  Lyndeborough 
& Amherst  in  s*^  State  in  their  Petition  set  forth,  &c — We  the 
Subscribers,  being  Residents  and  Proprietors  in  that  Part  of 
Amherst  which  they  in  their  s*^  Petition  pray  may  be  incorpo- 
rated with,  & a Part  of,  their  proposed  Township  ; humbly  pray 
that  we  may  not  be  set  of  to,  & incorporated  with,  the  s^^  pro- 
posed Township  ; but  that  we  may  be  permitted  to  remain  in 
our  present  State,  as  we  humbly  conceive  that  it  is  much  more 
for  our  Interest  & Convenience  to  remain,  at  present,  as  we  are, 
and  not  be  incumbered  and  perplexed  with  the  Charges  & In- 
cumbrances necessarily  attending  the  erecting  a new  Township 
— which  is  humbly  submitted — by 


Benjamin  Hopkins 
Benjamin  Hopkins 
junior 

Jonathan  Grimes 
osiah  Sawyer  Ju 

his 

Thaddeus  X Grimes 

mark 


James  Russell 
Joseph  Crosby 
Josiah  Sawyer 
Ebenezer  Hopkins 
John  Burns 
John  Burns  June 
Samson  Crosby 


Nathan  Hutchinson 
James  hartshorn 
George  Burns 
Jacob  Cram 

of  Lyndeborough 

with  W™  Peabody 


[7-79] 


\^Petition  for  an  Incorporation^  iy8o.~\ 


To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  Conven'^  at  Exeter  on  the 
first  Wednesday  of  June  Next  the  Petition  of  the  Subscribers 
Humbly  Sheweth — That  Your  Petitioners  are  Inhabitants  of  the 
Southwesterly  part  of  Amherst  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  ; 
that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  one  Mile  Slip  and  Duxbury  School 
farm  labour  under  many  Disadvantages  for  want  of  an  Incor- 
peration,  and  of  themselves  are  too  few  in  Number  at  present 
to  Support  a Minister  of  the  Gospel  if  they  ware  Incorporated — 
and  Are  at  too  Great  a Distance  from  the  Places  of  Publick 
Worship  in  the  Neighbouring  Towns  to  Attend  with  any  Con- 
veniancy — that  Your  Petitioners  live  very  far  from  the  Place  of 


6o8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Publick  Worship  in  Amharst  and  Labour  under  Great  disad- 
vantages in  our  present  Scituation ’that  your  Petitioners  Appre- 
hend that  if  we  ware  Anexed  to  the  one  Mile  Slip  and  Duxbury 
School  farm  Agreable  to  the  following  lines,  we  Should  be  Able 
to  Support  a Gospel  Minister  and  Should  have  many  Advan- 
tages that  we  are  at  Present  deprived  of — and  at  the  Same  time 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  one  Mile  Slip  and  Duxbury  farm  will 
have  the  Same  previledges  their  Neighbours  Enjoy,  and  Am- 
harst Receive  no  Real  Injury  by  it ; Wherefore  Your  Petition- 
ers Pray  your  Honours  to  take  the  Matter  Under  your  Wise 
Consideration  and  if  your  Honours  think  fit,  to  Incorporate  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Tract  of  land  Included  in  the  following 
Bounds  into  a Body  Politick  Giving  us  all  the  Previledges  and 
Advantages  that  Other  Towns  Enjoy  Bounded  as  follows  Be- 
ginning at  a White  oak  Tree  Standing  on  the  East  line  of  Wil- 
ton it  being  the  Northwest  Corner  Bounds  of  the  one  Mile  Slip, 
Riming  Easterly  on  the  South  line  of  Lyndeborough  Six  hun- 
dred Poles  to  a Maple  Tree  it  being  the  South  East  Corner 
Bounds  of  Lyndeborough,  then  Runing  Northerly  on  the  East 
line  of  Lyndeborough  about  half  a Mile  to  the  Southwest  Cor- 
ner Bounds  of  a Lot  Own*^  in  Part  by  Joseph  Dunklin  from 
thence  Easterly  four  Hundred  and  Eighty  Eight  Poles  to  a 
Stake  and  Stones  Standing  in  the  South  east  Corner  of  a lot 
Own'^  by  Amos  Green  from  thence  Southerly  five  Hundred  and 
Ninety  two  Poles  to  an  Oak  Tree  Marked  Standing  on  land  of 
Cob  John  Shephard  by  the  North  Bank  of  Souhegon  River 
from  thence  Southeasterly  makeing  Souhegon  River  the  North- 
erly line  till  it  Comes  to  a Stake  and  Stones  Standing  on  the 
South  bank  of  Souhegon  River  on  land  of  Mosses  Towns  about 
two  Miles  on  a Straight  line  from  the  Oak  tree  Mentioned  on 
Cob  Shephards  land,  then  from  said  Stake  and  Stones  Runing 
Southerly  Six  hundred  and  Twenty  Poles  to  a Stake  and  Stones 
Standing  in  the  North  line  of  Hollis  from  thence  westerly  on 
Hollis  North  line  four  Miles  and  one  Quarter  of  a Mile  to  a 
Stake  and  Stones  being  the  Northwest  Corner  Bounds  of  Hollis 
from  thence  Westerly  one  Mile  to  a Stake  and  Stones  Standing, 
in  the  East  line  of  Mason  then  Northerly  Two  Hundred  and 
forty  Eight  Poles  to  a Chesnut  Tree  being  the  Southeast  Corner 
Bounds  of  Wilton  then  Northerly  on  the  East  line  of  Wilton 
three  Miles  and  a half  to  the  first  Bounds  Mentioned — And 
Your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

If  an  Incorporation  with  the  Destrict  Should  be  Disagreeable 
to  your  Honours  we  the  Subcribers  Pray  that  your  Honours 
would  apoint  a Comittee  to  Come  and  View  our  Situation  and 
your  Petitionrs  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Amharst  May  3 1 1 780. 


I 


MONSON. 


609 


William  Wallace 
Benj“  Hopkins  junr 
Nathan  Hutchinson 
Nathan  Hutchinson 
Junr 

Calab  Jones  Junr 
Benj®  Hutchinson 
Ebeneser  Hopkins 
Josiah  Crosby  Junr 


Joseph  Crosby  Elijah  Averil 
Bartho%  Hutchinson  Joshua  Burnam 


John  Bradford 
Stephen  Burnam 
Ebenezer  averil 
Benjamin  Temple 
Abner  Hutchinson 
Elisha  Hutchinson 
John  Wallace 


andrew  Bradford 
William  Peabodyjur 
William  Peabody 
W*"  Crosby 
Josiah  Crosby 


[The  following  names  are  on  a similar  petition,  dated 
Mile  Slip,  May  31,  1780: — Ed.] 


Samuel  gutterson 
Aaron  peabody 
Joseph  Wallaas 
Beni‘S  Wright 
Stephen  Blanchard 
Joshua  Mooar 
Stephen  Williams 


Stephen  Blanchard 
Jun'- 

Ben"  Lewis  Ju^ 
David  Candler 
Caleb  Jones 
Benj"  Lewis 
Samuel  parson 


thomes  parson 
William  parson 
David  Burnam 
William  Personjuner 
Richard  Boynton 
Simon  Blanchard 
Timothy  mclntire 


[The  petitioners  did  not  succeed  until  1794.  See  page 
603,  mite. — Ed.] 


[R.  2-284.]  S^Petition  of  Archelaus  Batchelder.^  Soldier 

[In  a petition  dated  Milford,  May  26,  1795,  Archelaus 
Batchelder  stated  “ that  he  was  grevously  wounded  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  in  the  time  of  the  late  war.” 
He  stated  that  he  expected  to  be  placed  on  the  pension-list, 
and  asked  the  legislature  to  intercede  in  favor  of  his  being 
granted  arrears. — Ed.] 


MONSON. 

This  town  was  incorporated  April  i,  1746,  and  comprised 
the  north-west  part  of  the  old  Dunstable  grant. 

It  had  an  existence  as  a town  until  July  4,  1770,  at  which 
time,  in  answer  to  a request  of  the  inhabitants,  about  two 
miles  wide  on  the  north  side  was  annexed  to  Amherst,  and 
the  remainder  to  Hollis. 

An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  in  1782  to  reestablish 
the  town  as  originally  granted. 

41 


6io 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-82]  [ Vote  of  the  Town^ 

Att  the  Annual  Meeting  in  Monson  March  23  ; 1761, 

Voted  to  Grant  the  petition  of  Hollis  namely  that  a Mile  and 
half  or  their  about  be  Sett  of  to  Hollis  agreable  to  the  Petition 
of  said  Hollis — 

And  Voted  the  South  Side  of  as  above  by  the  Major  part  of 
the  North  Side — 

it,  being  an  artickle  incerted  in  the  Warrant  for  Said  Meet- 
ing— 

Copy,  per  Benj^  Kenrick  Town  Clark 

Monson  Decern:  28,  1762 


[7-S4]  [ Vote  relative  to  locathig  a MeetUig- House ^ //yd.] 
Att  a Town  meeting  held  in  Monson  December,  6*^  day, 

'756, 

Voted,  to  Set  the  Meeting  House  in  the  most  Convenient 
place  nere  the  Center  of  the  Town — 

Monson,  march,  16  1763. 

A Coppy  p^  Benj^  Kenrick,  Town  Clark 


[7-85]  \_Hollis  asks  for  a Portion  of  Monson^  //dj.] 

Whereas  there  was  an  articall  in  the  warrant  for  the  annuall 
Meeting  to  be  held  in  Holies  march  the  2“^  1761  to  see  if  the 
Town  would  Petition  the  Town  of  Monson  for  one  mile  and 
a half  or  there  abouts  on  the  south  side  to  be  annexed  to  the 
Town  of  Hollis  Pursuant  to  said  articall  Voted  to  Petition  the 
Town  of  Monson  for  one  Mile  and  a half  or  there  abouts  on 
the  south  side  of  said  Monson  to  be  annexed  to  the  Town  of 
Holies  and  Chose  Doctor  John  Hale  Francis  Worcester  and 
Jonathan  Taylor  a Com‘®®  to  Pefar  Said  Petition 

Holies  January  the  3^  1763 — 

A True  Coppy — 

P*  Sam'^  Cumings  Town  Clerk  of  Holies 


[R.  2-285]  '[^Benjamin  Hopkuis’ s Bill^  //d/.] 

Monson  June  y®  25  1761 

Account  of  Cap*  Samuel  Gerrish  Company  who  victualed  at 
my  house  and  the  mens  Names — 


MONSON. 


6i  I 


Francis  allet 
Samuel  Perkins 
John  Johnson 
Robert  Boodey 
William  Randle 
Richard  Ransom 
Daniel  Dealing 
Thomas  Ransom 
Paul  Horn 


Ephraim  alley 
David  Call 
Ebenezer  Ransom 
Daniel  alley 
Abraham  Nute 
Samuel  kinney 
William  Berry 
Samuel  Kenney 
Nathaniel  Denboe 


Cornels  Denboe 
Ebenezer  Hall 
William  Berry 
Seth  Thomson 
John  Field 
Willm  Rins 
Joseph  Perkins 


Sider  five  mogs 


True  accompt — 


20 — 7 — 6 

per  Benjamin  Hopkins 


[Sworn  to  Oct.  15,  1767,  before  John  Goffe.  In  H.  of 
Rep.,  May  25,  1768  “ Voted  that  it  be  Dismissed.” — Ed.] 


[7-86]  \^Relative  to  Annexation  of  a Portion  of  Monson  to 

Hollis^  1773 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  HoiF'®  His  majestys  Council  & House  of  Representa- 
tives for  said  Province — Gentlemen — 

Whereas  by  your  Vote  & Order  at  y*"  Late  Session  Our  Town 
Namely  Monson  may  be  heard  next  week  if  the  Court  be  then 
Setting  on  their  vote  & Petitions  Relating  the  Setting  off  and 
Annexing  a part  of  Our  said  Town  to  Holies — But  there  hav- 
ing very  Lately  been  Some  New  Proposals  made  by  Some  of 
Our  Neighbours  (Concerning  It)  both  in  Holies  & Amherst  of 
a very  pacifick  tendency  which  if  Complied  with  we  Appre- 
hend will  be  more  Advantageous  than  Any  Measures  yet  Con- 
certed— 

Therefore  pray  that  your  Hon”  Would  Suspend  the  affair 
untill  the  Second  day  of  f first  Session  After  the  first  day  of 
Sep*"  Next  that  we  may  in  the  Interim  Consider  & Settle  said 
Proposals — & We  as  in  duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray — 

Dated  at  Monson  April  the  29^  ^7^3 — 

Benj^  Kenrick  J 

Josiah  Crosby  >-  Selectmen 

Daniel  Kenrick  ) 


6i2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-87]  \^Petition  to  be  annexed  to  Hollis^  i'j62.'\ 


Province  of  New  Hamp*' 

To  His  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq  : Gov’’  &c 

The  Hon^®  his  Majestys  Council  & Assembly  of  said  Province 
The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  being  Inhabitants  of  the 
South  side  of  the  Town  of  Monson  in  said  Province — Humbly 
shews  that  we  Can  be  Much  better  Accommodated  as  to  Town 
priviledges  by  being  Annexed  to  Holies  Than  to  remain  as  we 
Are  That  our  said  Town  of  Monson  Are  Desirous  of  having 
the  Thing  done  as  may  appear  by  their  Vote  March  the  23** 
1761  We  Therefore  pray  that  Your  Excellency  And  Hon*^* 
would  Take  the  premises  under  your  wise  Consideration  and 
Grant  it  According  to  the  TeiP  of  said  Vote — 

And  We  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  Pray 


Dated  at  Monson  Ocf  y®  i8‘^  1762 


William  Nevins 
William  Colborn 
Jun^ 

onesiphorus  marsh 
Abraham  Leman 
Dan^^  Bay  ley 


Thomas  Nevens 
Samuel  Hayden 
Daniel  Kenrick 
Josep  Stearnes 
James  wheeler 
Daniel  Wheeler 


Zachariah  Shattuck 
Samuel  Stearns  ju 
Rob*  Colburn 
William  Colburn 


[7-88]  \_Reasons  for  not  granting  foregoing  Petitioni\ 

To  His  Exelency  Bening  Wentworth  Esq*"  Governor  in  chief  in 
and  over  his  Majesties  Province  of  New-Hampshire,  The 
Honourable  the  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Assembled — 

We  the  subscribers  Inhabitants  and  freeholders  in  the  Town 
of  Monson  in  the  province  aforesaid  Humbly  shew,  that, 
Whereas  the  south  of  Monson  aforesaid  has  petitioned  the 
General  Court  aforesd  to  be  Annexed  to  Hollis  : And  as  the 
Honourable  Assembly  has  seen  Cause  in  Their  great  Wisdom 
and  Clemency  to  send  to  us  for  our  Reasons,  why  the  prayer 
of  s**  Petition  should  not  be  granted  so  may  it  please  your  Ex- 
elency and  Honours  We  with  the  lowest  Submission  beg  leave 
to  offer  them — and  in  the  first  place  we  look  upon  the  Town  of 
Monson  sufficient  to  support  the  Gospell,  provided  it  was  set- 
tled ; And  we  Impute  the  Reason  of  its  not  settling  to  the  Neg- 
lect of  Building  a Meeting-House  and  settling  the  Gospell : It 
also  appears  to  us  quite  an  unreasonable  thing  that  the  south  of 
Monson  should  be  Annexed  to  Hollis,  a Numerous  People  able 
to  support  the  Gospell  without  them  and  we  Humbly  pray  that 


MONSON. 


613 


their  Requst  May  ne’r  be  Granted  for  if  so  we  are  disenabled 
to  Defray  Town  Charges  and  to  settle  the  Gospell,  and  we  are 
well  Assured  that  your  Exelency  and  Honours  will  take  no 
pleasure  in  inlarging  of  one  Town  by  ruining  of  another  and 
it  apears  to  us  that  the  Scheem  they  are  upon  to  break  Monson 
has  no  Heigher  ends  then  Private  Interest  and  an  Immence 
Damage  to  the  Publick  the  Consaquence  will  be  either  fatal 
to  Amherst  and  New-Boston  in  splitting  And  taring  them  to 
pieces  and  puting  them  to  an  immence  Cost  and  Bring  on  a 
quarel  that  perhaps  may  not  soon  end  or  else  it  will  leave  us 
under  very  distressing  Circumstances  by  the  smallness  of  our 
Number  and  Scantiness  of  our  Town — 

And  now  may  it  please  your  Exelency  & Honours  we  Es- 
teem it  our  Duty  as  a Body  Politick  to  use  those  Means  which 
has  the  greatest  Tendency  to  promote  its  Increase  and  flourish 
In  order  there  unto  the  Town  was  for  Building  a Meeting- 
House  in  order  for  a Gospell  Settlement  and  indeed  went  so 
far  as  to  get  a vote  for  it  though  afterward  when  said  vote  was 
laid  before  the  Town  they  did  not  see  Cause  to  Complv  with  it 
And  if  the  Laws  of  the  Government  oblidges  every  Town  to 
have  a Meeting-House  and  an  orthodox  Minister  verily  such 
Towns  or  Members  thereof  as  Refus‘d  Cast  Contempt  on 
Authority  and  we  are  well  assured  that  their  oflence  in  such  a 
Wise  assembly  shall  not  be  their  Defence — and  as  the  Building 
of  a Meeting-House  and  settling  of  the  Gospell  has  been  an 
efl'ectual  Means  to  the  Increase  of  a Society  so  the  Neglect  has 
proved  the  Contrary,  and  as  the  Chief  of  the  Land  is  settled  on 
each  side  of  the  Town — so  the  land  that  lays  wast  and  Desti- 
tute of  Inhabitants  lies  in  the  Middle  of  the  Town  which 
although  perhaps  Reputed  by  some  to  be  Broaken  land  Infeas- 
able  for  Settlement  yet  in  our  Judgment  tis  as  good  Land  as 
any  in  the  Town  except  a piece  on  the  River,  and  is  it  reason- 
able may  it  please  your  Exelency  and  Honours  that  Members 
of  a Society  after  they  have  kept  back  the  Increase  thereof  that 
a part  of  that  Sosiety  should  go  of  to  another  town  and  leave 
the  Remainder  unable  to  Defray  their  Charges,  as  will  be  the 
Case  with  us  if  the  South  sid  is  set  to  Hollis  being  at  a great 
and  Continual  Charge  to  maintain  our  Poor — (as  also  the  one 
half  of  two  large  Bridges, upon  Soughegan  River  which  are  a 
Constant  and  very  heavy  Cherge,)  And  if  we  are  as  Dutifull 
Subjects  as  others  why  ought  we  not  to  have  our  Properties 
Continued,  and  if  we  pay  our  dues  as  well  as  others  Subjects 
why  may  we  not  have  our  Religious  Privelidges  Supported, 
and  as  this  Honourable  Assemblv  hold  the  same  so  undoubt- 
edly it  will  be  thought  fit  to  oblidge  those  that  have  Refused  to 
Comply  with  what  duty  and  Interest  Requires  as  also  the  pro- 
moting the  Public  Weal  and  Interest — therefore  finally  suffer 


6i4 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


US  to  suplicale  your  Exelency  and  Hon*"®  to  lay  a Tax  upon  the 
Land  in  the  Town  of  Monson  to  enable  us  to  build  a Meeting 
House  in  order  to  a Gospell  Settlement  and  so  we  as  in  duty 
Bound  Shall  ever  pray. 

Furthermore  we  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  and  freeholders 
of  the  Town  of  Monson  do  Impower  and  desire  Benj®’  Hopkins 
and  Joseph  Gould  they  or  either  of  them  to  wait  upon  the 
General  Assembly  and  oppose  said  petition  and  to  shew  how 
unreasonable  the  prayer  thereof,  is  ; so  that  the  Same  may  not 
be  granted,  and  also  to  Petition  for  such  Priviledges  for  the 
Town  to  forward  the  settling  the  Gospell  as  they  shall  think 
best. 

Monson  March  y®  ^7^3 

Benjamin  Hopkins  Joseph  Gould  George  Burns 

John  Burns  Burns  Jun’"  Thomas  Burns 

Benjamin  Hopkns 

Jim 


[7-92]  \_Address  expi'essing  Satisfaction  with  the  County 

A7'rangement ^ //dp.] 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq^  Cap“  Gened'  Gov- 
ernor and  Comd'"  &c.  the  Honorable  his  Majesties  Council 
and  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Province  of  New 
Hamsh'' — 


We  Inhabitants  of  Monson  in  the  Province  aforesaid  take 
this  Opportunity  to  Return  our  most  Sincere  and  hearty  Ac- 
knowledgements to  your  Excellency  & Honors  for  the  great 
Wisdom  Exhibited  in  forming  & establishing  the  Lines  of  the 
Middle  County — We  humbly  beg  your  Excellency  & Honors, 
in  your  great  wisdom  & Clemency,  will  Make  no  Addition  to 
s*^  County,  being  Sensible,  any  addition  will  Cause  Confusion 
in  s^'  County — We,  likewise,  earnestly  Desire,  that  Amherst 
may  be  the  Shire  Towne,  notwithstanding  what  may  have  been 
Advanced  to  the  Contrary  by  one  in  whom  we  put  great  Confi- 
dence— And  We  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  Pray — 


April  y®  1 1769 

Nathan  Hutchinson 
Josiah  Crosby 
Jon®  Grimes 
Pat  Grimes 
Josiah  Sawyer 
Caleb  Jones 
Georg  Burns 


Joseph  Gould 
Daniel  Kenrick 
Will'"  Colburn 
Thomas  Powers 
Wil’"  Nevens 
Samuel  Leman 
Gardner  Towne 


Samuel  Farmer 
Thomas  Towne 
Elisha  Towne 
Bartholomew  Towne 
Thomas  Williams 
Jonathan  Towne 
Stephen  William 


MONSON. 


615 


John  Burns  Jun 
Thomas  Burns 
Ames  Whittemore 
Abraham  Leman 
Isaac  Powers 
Josiah  Kidder  Ju“*' 
W™  Kittredge 
John  Burns 


David  Wallingsford 
Joseph  French 
moses  Hadley 
John  Dimckle 
David  Dunckle 
Nathaniel  Dunckle 
Archlus  Towne 
Adam  Patson 


Josiah  Crosby  Juner 
Jonathan  sawyer 
Israel  Wilkins 
william  french 
Thomas  nevens 
Josiah  Parker 
Benj^  Kenrick 
Josiah  Kidder 


[7-93]  [^Instructions  to  their  Representative^  ij6g.^ 

To  Cap^  John  Chamberlain  of  Merrymack  in  the  Province  of 

New-Hamp*' — 

Sir/  As  You  have  been  Repeatedly  Chosen,  by  the  towns 
of  Merrymack  & monson  to  Represent  them  in  the  General  As- 
sembly of  this  province,  you  have  the  highest  assurance  of  the 
Confidence  they  Place  in  }^our  integrity  and  ability  and  that  they 
are  willing  you  should  Act  in  general  Cases  as  your  Reason 
Dictates,  Yet  in  a Matter  wherein  the  Interest  of  Our  Town  is 
nearly  Concerned  & that  of  the  County  also,  We  take  the  free- 
dom upon  Constitutional  Principals  to  Desire  in  behalf  of  our 
Town  that  you  would  Use  your  utmost  influence  in  Court  to 
prevent  Londonderry,  Chester,  Pelham,  Plasto,  Salem,  and 
Hamstead  &c  from  being  added  to  this  County,  because  we 
think  that  such  a thing  if  it  should  be  done  would  end  in  Con- 
fusion or  Rather  in  a Dissolution  of  Countys ; and  as  this 
County  is  now  full  Large  enough  as  to  Land  as  it  extends  from 
the  west  Line  of  Peterborough  to  the  east  Line  of  Litchfield 
and  will  soon  be  Large  as  to  people  we  expect  that  you  will 
Comply  with  this  Our  Desire — 

Your  most  Obed‘ 

ArcU'^®  Towne  Select  men 
Joseph  Gould  >-  of 
Thomas  Burns  ) Monson 

Dated  monson  Ap^  ^5  • 

[An'attempt  was  made  to  have  the  towns  above  named 
annexed  to  Hillsborough  county. — Ed.] 


[7-89]  [ Vote  of  Monson^  ^770i\ 

This  may  Certifie,  that  their  was  a Vote  of  the  Town  of 
Monson,  april  y®  9,  1770,  to  divide  the  Same  laying  part  to 
Amherst  and  part  to  Hollis. 

attest  Benj^  Kendrick,  last  Town  Clark 
Amherst  Novem'^  ii,  1782. 


6i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-90]  S^Opposltion  to  reestablishing  Monson^  1882. 

At  a legal  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Hollis 
held  at  said  Hollis  the  13th  day  of  September  1782 — 

Voted  that  Rich‘S  Cutts  Shannon  Esq  wait  on  the  Gen^  Court 
in  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Hollis,  to  oppose  the  Petition  of 
Jonathan  Lovejoy  & others  respecting  the  re  Establishing  the 
ancient  Boundaries  of  monson — 

eodem  die  Voted  that  the  Town  will  Strenuously  oppose  the 
Petition  of  Jonathan  Lovejoy  & others  relative  to  the  Ancient 
Town  of  monson’s  being  reincorporated  & invested  with  Town 
Privileges  as  formerly  being  granted,  for  Reasons  mentioned  in 
the  answer  to  said  Petition  herewith  exhibited 
Hollis  Nov  16,  1782 — 

Attest  William  Cumings  Town  Clerk 


MOULT ONBOROUGH. 

The  territory  was  granted  Nov.  17,  1763,  by  the  Maso- 
nian  proprietors  to  Col.  Jonathan  Moulton  and  others,  and 
settlements  were  commenced  the  following  year. 

An  addition  was  granted  Jan.  24,  1765,  by  the  same  pro- 
prietors, which  was  sometimes  called  Moultonborough  Gore. 
The  town  was  incorporated  by  an  act  passed  Nov.  24,  1777 r 
and  received  its  name  in  honor  of  Col.  Moulton. 

In  consequence  of  disputes  arising  between  this  town 
and  Sandwich  relative  to  the  divisional  line,  a committee,, 
consisting  of  John  Langdon,  Joshua  Wentworth,  and  Ben- 
jamin Chadbourne,  was  appointed  Feb.  22,  1785,  to  settle 
the  same,  its  decision  to  be  final. 

Long  Island  was  annexed  to  this  town  Dec.  30,  1799. 
The  Ossipee  tribe  of  Indians  once  resided  in  this  vicinity,, 
and  many  relics  have  been  found  in  years  past. 

Col.  Joseph  Senter  was  one  of  the  leading  men,  and  an 
officer  of  merit  in  the  Revolution,  as  also  was  Col.  Nathan 
Hoit. 


[7-94I  [^Petition  for  an  Incorporation^  777J.] 

Province  of  Newhampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esquire  captain  general 
governour  and  commander  in  chief  in  & over  said  province 
of  Newhampshire  And  to  the  honrable  his  majestys 

councill  for  the  same  province. 


MOULTONBOROUGH. 


617 


The  humble  petition  of  Jonathan  Moulton  Esq  for  himself 
& other  proprietors  of  two  certain  tracts  of  land  granted  by  the 
proprietors  of  Masons  patent  so  called  the  first  Tract  was 
granted  on  the  17th  day  of  November  AD  1763  commonly 
called  Moultonborough.  The  other  tract  was  granted  the 
24th  of  January  AD  1765  commonly  called  the  gore  or 
moultonborough  addition  Most  Humbly  sheweth  That  great 
progress  is  made  & still  making  towards  the  complete  set- 
tlement of  said  two  tracts  of  land  and  that  the  inhabitants  & 
Proprietors  thereof  have  been  at  great  charge  in  making  pub- 
lick  roads  through  said  two  tracts  of  land  for  the  benefit  of  his 
majestys  service.  Your  petitioner  therefore  prays  that  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  two  tracts  of  land  may  be  respectively 
incorporated  into  townships  with  such  privileges  as  other  towns 
enjoy  within  this  province  by  the  bounds  & limits  contained  in 
the  respective  grants,  and  the  petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray 


January  29  1773. 


\ 


[Not  granted. — Ed.] 


Jon'^  Moulton 


[7-95]  \^Letter  f7'om  CoL  yoseph  Sejiter  to  the  Legislaturey 

1776.'] 

To  the  Honarble  Councel  & Representatives  Now  Sitting  at 
Exeter — 

Gent"  I am  grately  Obliged  to  You  for  the  good  opinion 
You  Have  of  Me  and  Wish  my  ability  was  grater  to  serve  My 
Countrey.  I am  Willing  at  all  Times  to  Exerte  my  Selfe  to 
the  utmost  to  serve  the  publick  and  am  with  Respect  Your 
Hum*^'  Servant 

Joseph  Senter 

M Borrough  22^  June  1776 


|]7“9^]  for  an  l7ico7'poration  of  the  Territory  into 

two  TownSy  1777 

To  the  Hon'^'®  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  convened — 
Humbly  Shew 

Jonathan  Moulton  Joseph  Senter  and  Bradbury  Richardson 
Esq"  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Tract  of  Land  called 
Moultonborough  situate  in  the  County  of  Strafibrd  in  the  said 
State — 


6i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  the  said  Inhabitants  labour  under  many  Inconveniencies 
Disadvantages  & Difficulties  by  Reason  of  their  unincorporated 
State — That  the  Situation  and  Extent  of  said  Tract  render  it 
most  convenient  for  said  Inhabitants  that  it  be  divided  and 
erected  into  Two  distinct  Townships — Wherefore  Y*"  Petition- 
ers in  behalf  of  said  Inhabitants  humbly  pray  that  the  said 
Tract  may  be  erected  into  two  distinct  Townships,  One,  within 
the  following  bounds — viz‘  beginning  at  the  South  Easterly 
corner  of  Meredith  at  Winnepissiokee  Pond  then  running 
northwesterly  by  said  Meredith  to  the  North  Easterly  Corner 
thereof  thence  on  a strait  Line  with  the  North  Easterly  Line  of 
Meredith,  to  Holderness  thence  Northeasterly  by  said  Holder- 
ness  to  Sandwich  thence  Easterly  by  Sandwich  and  Tamworth 
to  the  South  Easterly  Corner  of  Tamworth  thence  Southwest- 
erly to  the  Northwesterly  Corner  of  Tuftonborough  thence 
Southwesterly  by  said  Tuftonborough  to  Winnepissiokee  Pond 
thence  Westerly  by  the  Shore  of  said  Pond,  as  that  lays,  to  the 
Bound  first  mentioned  — and  that  it  be  incorporated  by  the 
Name  of  Moulton — And  the  other  within  the  bounds  following 
viz‘  beginning  at  the  Northeasterly  Corner  of  Meredith  thirty 
Rods  from  Winnepissiokee  Pond  thence  running  South  fifty 
five  Degrees  West  by  Meredith  and  Sanborntown  to  Pemigewas- 
set  River  Thence  running  northerly  up  said  River  by  the  Mid- 
dle thereof  to  the  Southwesterly  corner  of  Holderness  thence 
running  Easterly  by  said  Holderness  to  the  South  East  Corner 
thereof  thence  running  Northerly  by  said  Holderness  till  it 
comes  to  the  Westerly  line  of  that  Part  of  said  Tract  above 
bounded  thence  Southeasterly  by  said  Line  to  the  said  North- 
easterly corner  of  Meredith — and  that  the  same  be  incorporated 
by  the  Name  of  Watertown — And  that  each  of  said  Towns 
may  be  invested  with  all  the  Powers  and  enfranchised  wdth  all 
the  Rights  Privileges  and  Immunities  which  any  Towns  in  this 
State  hold  and  enjoy — And  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  pray  &c — 

June  13*^  1777 — 

Jon“  Moulton 
Joseph  Senter 
Bradbury  Richardson 

[The  town  was  incorporated  Nov.  24,  1777. — Ed.] 


[7-97]  \_Relative  to  Rev.  Samuel  Perley.,  I779*\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Strafford  ss 

To  the  Hon'^'®  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Assembly  convened — 


MOULTONBOROUGH. 


619 


The  Petition  of  Bradbury  Richardson  Nathaniel  Ambrose, 
Abraham  Burnam,  Jonathan  Moulton  and  John  Adams  a 
Committee  for  and  in  Behalf  of  the  Town  of  Moultonborough 
in  said  State  ; Humbly  shew,  that  there  are  great  Uneasiness 
and  dissaffection,  subsisting  in  said  Town,  which  has  been  oc- 
casioned, by  the  Rev^  Samuel  Ferley’s  removing  himself  and 
Family  into  Town  with  the  Pretence  of  being  the  settled  Min- 
ister of  the  Gospel  here,  and  by  his  continuing  as  such  in 
preaching  and  other  Administrations;  and  by  his  unjustly 
claiming  and  demanding,  publick  Priviledges  granted  to  the 
first  settled  Minister  of  the  Town,  which  he  the  said  Perley 
claims  by  Virtue  of  a pretended  Settlement  here,  by  certain 
Persons  acting  under  the  Denomination  of  an  Ecclesiastical 
Council  in  October  last — which  Council  this  Town  avers  con- 
vened and  acted  in  that  IMatter  without  either  the  Order,  Voice 
or  Concurrence  of  the  Town,  and  against  the  general  Sense  of 
the  Town,  as  much  the  greater  part  of  the  People  were  against 
his  being  settled  here  : — The  Conduct  of  said  Council,  has  since 
by  this  Town  at  a legal  Meeting  been  wholly  disavowed  and 
greatly  disapproved  of,  as  their  Records  make  appear  all  which 
said  Perley  has  been  duly  advised  of,  and  treated  with  to  relin- 
quish his  aforesaid  Settlement  on  equitable  Terms  ; & has  been 
legally  requested  by  the  Town  with  the  Church  to  join  the 
Town  in  calling  a Council  to  judge  of  his  aforesaid  Settlement, 
all  which  he  refused  to  comply  with,  but  still  persists  in  preach- 
ing and  in  his  unjust  Demands  for  the  same — Wherefore  your 
Petitioners  in  their  aforesaid  Capacity  pray  your  Hon*^^  Court 
to  view  the  particular  Situation  of  this  Town  in  the  Difficulties 
they  are  under  with  Respect  to  s*^  Perley  and  the  Inconvenience 
that  will  ever  attend  the  Town  in  obtaining  a regular  settled 
Minister  so  long  as  there  is  a Person,  laying  Claim  to  that 
Office  and  the  Previledges  belongingto  the  same  ; and  that  your 
Honb'®  Court  wou’d  so  far  interfere  in  the  Matter  as  to  order  & 
appoint  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  to  take  Cognizance  of  the 
Transactions  that  have  happen’d  here  with  Respect  to  said 
Perley,  & to  judge  and  deiermin  whither  said  Perlcv  has  ever 
been  fairly  and  legally  settled  as  a Minister  of  the  Gospel  for 
the  Town  of  Moultonborough  and  your  Petitioners  shall  ever 
pray— 

Moultonbor"  March  1779 

Jon®^  Moulton  ^ 

Bradbury  Richardson 
Nathaniel  Ambros  V 
Abraham  Burnam 
John  Adams 

[Mr.  Perley  left  soon  after. — Ed.] 


620 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-98]  \_Relative  to  Doomage^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Strafford  ss. 

To  the  Hon^^®  Council  & House  of  Representatives  in  General 

Assembly  convened 

The  Petition  Bradbury  Richardson,  Nath*  Shannon,  Joseph 
Ayres  & Jonathan  Moulton  a Committee  for  & in  Behalf  of  the 
Town  of  Moultonborough  Humbly  shew,  that  the  Inhabitants 
of  said  Town  humbly  conceive,  that  they  are  overrated  to  the 
State  and  Continental  Tax,  by  being  doomed  upon  their  Inven- 
tory sent  to  your  Hon*’*®  Court — which  Inventory  of  the  Polls  & 
improvable  Estates  your  Petitioners  aver  to  be  true  & exact — 
and  the  Estimation  therein  of  the  Value  of  the  unimproved 
Lands  & Buildings  your  Petitioners  conceive  is  as  high  as  in 
any  Town  within  this  State — Your  Petitioners  impute  the 
Doomage  to  some  Misrepresentation  or  Misconception  of  the 
Situation  of  the  Town — which  Town  since  New  Hampton  has 
been  incorporated  by  it  self  contains  by  the  Division  thereof 
only  Two  Hundred  Acres  to  a Right  that  was  thought  worth 
laying  out  & but  Seventy  Nine  Rights  in  the  Town  ; Fifteen 
Hundred  Acres  of  which  Land  laid  out  has  since  been  claimed  & 
settled  by  Sandwich  Proprietors  & pays  Rates  to  that  Town — & 
many  other  of  the  Lotts  that  were  laid  out  are  so  mean  in  Qiial- 
ity  as  will  forever  render  them  Useless  for  Settlement; — With 
Respect  to  the  Lands  not  laid  out  it  is  evidently  known  to  be  one 
Ridge  of  Mountains  unfit  for  Improvements,  So  that  the  greater 
part  of  the  Land  fit  for  Improvements  are  settled  upon  by  small 
Farms  ; & lays  chiefly  in  View  upon  the  Country  Road,  which 
tends  greatly  to  raise  the  Town  in  the  Opinions  of  People, 
beyond  its  true  Value  in  general — Wherefore  your  Petitioners 
pray  that  the  Doomage  to  this  Town  be  taken  off  & the  town 
pay  only  agreeable  to  their  Inventory  & your  Petitioners  shall 
ever  pray. 

Moultonb®  12**^  OctoU  1780 — 

Bradbury  Richardson 
Joseph  Ayers 
Nathan*  Shannon 


[R.  2—286]  \^Enlistment^ 

We  the  subscribers  hereby  acknowledge  ourselves  inlisted 
private  Soldiers  to  Serve  in  one  of  the  three  Continental  Battal- 
lions  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire  to  Serve  untill  the  Last  Day 
of  December  Next  and  promies  to  be  Subject  to  the  Rules  and 


MOULTONBOROUGH. 


621 


Regulations  of  the  Continental  army  During  Said  term  as  wit- 
ness our  hands  June  the  28th  1780 

test  Eben’’  Smith  Daniel  Cary 

Robert  Glines 
Samuel  Neale 

for  the  town  of  moultonborough 


[7-101]  \_Petition  of  Non-Residents^  7790.] 

State  of  New  Hampshire. 

To  the  Hon'’^®  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  now  in  General  Court  convened  at 

Portsmouth  in  said  State, 

The  Memorial  of  John  Peirce  and  others  the  Subscribers, 
proprietors  of  Land  in  Mason’s  Patent  so  called,  in  behalf  of 
themselves  and  the  rest  of  said  Proprietors,  and  of  other  non 
resident  owners  of  Land  in  Moultonborough  in  said  State, 
Humbly  Sheweth, 

That  an  Act  has  just  been  passed  to  tax  the  lands  of  non-resi- 
dent Proprietors  in  said  Town,  founded  on  a petition  which 
your  Memorialists  never  heard  of  till  this  day  ; otherwise  they 
should  have  opposed  the  prayer  for  such  an  Act.  That  the 
Masonian  Proprietors  by  express  stipulations  in  the  Charter  of 
this  and  other  Towns  are  free  from  the  expences  to  be  defrayed 
by  this  Tax,  and  the  Grantees  or  other  Proprietors  took  them 
upon  themselves.  And  when  this  has  been  brought  into  view, 
they  have  been  accordingly  exempted  in  Acts  of  this  general 
kind,  to  prevent  their  being  retrospective,  & annihilating  form- 
er Contracts. 

That  this  Act  eases  the  Town  and  burdens  non-resident 
Proprietors,  with  the  expence  of  repairing  all  Roads  and  Bridges 
whatever  in  said  town — And  the  monies  raised  may  be  applied 
to  the  building  Bridges  and  repairing  highways  indefinitely 
according  to  the  Terms  of  the  Title,  preamble,  and  Body  of 
said  Act. 

That  the  Lands  of  non-residents  are  subjected  to  Sale  for  non 
payment  of  the  Tax,  without  any  liberty  of,  or  provision  for 
their  Redemption.  Wherefore  your  Memorialists  pray  your 
Honours  to  take  their  case  into  your  wise  consideration,  and 
to  annul  and  repeal  the  said  Act,  and  grant  them  the  priviledge 
of  being  heard  on  said  Petition,  and  they  as  in  Duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray 

Portsmouth  Jany  1790 


622 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Dan'  Humphreys  Ex'"  of  Geo  : Atkinson  Esq*" 

John  Peirce  for  himself  & others  whom  he  Represents 

Geo.  JaftVey 

Th°  Martin 

John  Penhallow 

Woodbury  Lanordon 

» o 

Thomas  Leavitt  Ex'"  to  Jonathan  Moulton  Esq*" 


[7-102]  [ Vote  to  change  date  of  Aitnual  Meetings  z/p/.] 

Att  a Legal  fleeting  held  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Moultonborough  the  twenty  Seventh  day  of  June  1791  — 

Voted  Nathan  Hoit  Esq""  is  impower’d  to  git  March  Meeting 
alter’d  for  said  Town  agreable  to  a petition  said  Hoit  carried 
into  the  General  Court  The  above  is  a true  Copy  taken  off  the 
Record 

Edw^  B.  Moulton  Town  Clk. 

Moultonb^  Nov’’  15"’  1791 

[The  legislature  changed  the  date  of  annual  meeting  to 
the  first  Monday  in  March. — Ed.] 


NASH  U A. 

This  city  occupies  the  south-east  part  of  that  portion  of 
the  old  Dunstable  grant  of  1673  which  proved  to  be  in  this 
state,  and  retained  the  ancient  name  when  the  old  township 
was  divided  in  1746.  It  was  incorporated  April  first  of 
that  year.  In  1748  the  citizens  of  the  town  had  become  so 
much  divided  in  sentiment  that  they  elected  two  sets  of 
town  officers,  and  a new  election  was  ordered  by  the  coun- 
cil and  assembly,  who  appointed  Thomas  Colburne,  of  Not- 
tingham West,  as  moderator  of  the  meeting. 

December  13,  1763,  a portion  of  Dunstable,  called  “One 
Pine  Hill,”  was  annexed  to  Hollis,  although  so  strongly  op- 
posed by  the  former  as  to  create  much  hostility  between  the 
two  towns.  Another  tract,  comprising  the  farms  of  Daniel 
Merrill  and  Ebenezer  Jaquith,  was  taken  from  Dunstable 
and  annexed  to  Hollis,  by  an  act  passed  May  14,  1773. 

By  an  act  approved  December  8,  1836,  the  name  of  the 
town  was  changed  to  Nashua. 


NASHUA. 


623 


Nashua  was  divided  June  23,  1842,  by  a line  commencing 
on  Nashua  river  at  the  line  of  Hollis,  and  running  down 
said  river  to  the  Lowell  railroad  bridge  ; thence  by  said 
railroad  to  the  old  ferry  road  ; thence  by  said  road  to  Mer- 
rimack river  ; and  all  that  portion  of  the  town  lying  north 
of  that  line  was  incorporated  into  a town  by  the  name  of 
Nashville,  and  so  remained  until  June  27,  1853,  when  the 
two  towns  were  united  and  incorporated  as  a city  by  the 
name  of  Nashua,  which  has  become  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lous manufacturing  communities  in  the  state. 

Artillery  pond  was  thus  named  because  it  was  included  in 
a grant  made  by  Massachusetts,  October  ii,  1673,  O.  S.,  to 
the  Boston  Artillery  Company.  That  grant  was  of  one 
thousand  acres,  and  included  the  territory  now  in  the  com- 
pact part  of  the  city  north  of  Nashua  river,  and  remained  in 
possession  of  said  company  until  it  was  purchased  by  Col. 
Joseph  Blanchard  about  1743. 

Col.  Blanchard  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Dunstable, 
and  for  some  years  agent  for  the  Masonian  proprietors. 


[7-104]  [ of  Town  relative  to  Bridge  over  Nashua 

River,  1753 

At  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable  in 
the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  being  meet  According  to  Law 
y®  I*  day  of  may  1753  and  Continued  by  Adiournment  to  y®  14^*^ 
of  Said  May 

An  Extract  from  the  votes  of  Said  Meeting  Pasd  at  Said  Ad- 

journmeent — 

That  in  as  much  as  the  Bridge  over  Nashuway  River  in  this 
Town  is  of  Great  expence  in  Building  & keeping  in  Repair, 
latly  at  a large  expence  Built  and  cared  away  with  a freshet — 
so  much  Travilling  for  the  Publick  it  is  of  Great  nedcessety  for 
Rebuilding  the  Heavy  charge  lying  on  this  Town  for  their 
other  necessary  affairs  has  left  them  of  Inabillity  according  to 
the  corse  of  common  Taxes  to  perform  the  same  with  out 
further  Aide  and  Where  as  there  is  large  Qiiantitys  of  land  un- 
improved belonging  to  Residents  and  nonresidents  which  are 
not  Rateable  that  rise  in  value  by  reason  of  the  Improvements 
and  taxes  a moungst  us — 

Therefore  Voted  that  this  Town  Petition  to  the  Gen^^  Assem- 
bly of  this  Province  shewing  our  deficultys  & pray  that  the  Sum 
of  one  Hundred  and  fifty  pounds  newtenor  be  lev’y’d  upon  the 


624 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


lands  in  this  Town  in  Equall  proportion  per  acre  in  such  maner 
as  shall  be  free  of  charge  for  Collecting  to  be  Appropriated  for 
the  Building  a Bridge  over  Nashuway  River  and  no  other  use 
whatso  ever  & that  the  Hon^  Joseph  Blanchard  Esq*"  and  m’' 
Jonathan  Lovewell  be  desired  to  Petition  the  Gen"  Assembly 
for  their  Grant  Agreable  to  the  foregoing  vote  Pased  in  the 
Affairmative — 

Voted  that  a Bridge  be  built  over  Nashuway  River  the  En- 
suing sumer  at  the  charge  of  this  Town  & That  the  Hon^®  Jo- 
seph Blanchard  Esq*"  m’’  Noah  Johnson  & m’’  Jonathan  Love- 
well  be  a Com*®®  Authorized  & Impowered  in  behalf  of  this 
Town  to  agree  & contract  with  any  person  or  persons  at  their 
discretion  to  Effect  the  same  and  that  such  their  contract  or 
Agrement  be  Obligatory  & binding  upon  this  Town  for  pay- 
ment— 

A True  Copy  from  Dunstable  Records — 

Exam"  per  Jonathan  Lovewell  Town  Clerk — 


[7-103]  \_Relative  to  Bridge  over  Nashua  River^  ^753 
Province  of  New  Hamps 

To  His  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth  Esq'  Governor  and 
Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  majestys  Province  of 
new  Hampshire,  To  the  Honorable  his  majestys  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives  in  General  assembly  Convened 
' June  ig*  1753— 

The  Petition  of  Joseph  Blanchard  Esq'  and  Jonathan  Love- 
well in  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable  in  said  Province  most 
humbly  shews — 

That  it  is  necessary  that  there  be  a Bridge  over  Nashuaway 
River — That  the  Town  of  Dunstable  have  lately  been  at  great 
Cost  and  Charge  to  build  a Bridge  over  said  River  which  was 
the  last  Spring  carryed  away  by  a freshet — That  the  Town  of 
Dunstable  have  lately  passed  a vote  to  build  another  Bridge 
over  said  River  (as  will  appear  by  the  annexed  Copy)  for  the 
Conveniency  of  Travellers — That  there  is  a Considerable  quan- 
tity of  unimproved  lands  lying  within  the  Town  of  Dunstable 
which  belongs  to  Residents  and  Non : Residents  which  en- 
creases  in  value  yearly  without  any  Taxes  whatever  being  paid 
for  the  Same  by  the  owners — wherefore  your  Petitioners  pray 
that  there  may  be  a Tax  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds  New 
Tener  (clear  of  all  Charges  for  Colecting)  laid  upon  all  the 
lands  lying  in  Dunstable  aforesaid  whether  improved  or  not 
improved  in  equall  Proportion,  to  be  improved  for  and  towards 


NASHUA. 


625 


the  building  a Bridge  over  the  said  River  and  no  other  use 
w^hatever  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
&c — 

Jon^^  Lovewell  for  Self  & Jo®  Blanchard  Esq*' 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  January  23,  1754,  the  foregoing  petition 
was  granted. — Ed.] 


[7-105]  \_Relative  to  Representative^  77^52.] 

To  the  Gen^  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  now 

Setting  at  Portsmouth  in  said  Province 

The  Petition  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable 
in  said  Province  Humbly  sheweth,  that  there  are  several  persons 
Returned  as  Representatives  whose  choice  is  Ilegal  (viz)  Jo- 
seph Blanchard  Esq*  for  merrimac  and  monson  Cap*  SanF 
Grele  for  Nottinghamw’est  and  Litchfield  Cap*  JoiP  Carlton  for 
Plastow  and  Hamstead  m*  Joseph  Wright  for  salem  and  Pel- 
ham and  John  Gofie  Esq*  for  Bedford  and  Amherst  and  that — 
in  the  Election  of  Each  of  said  Persons  as  Representatives 
many  persons  wer  Allowed  to  vote  who  had  no  Real  Estate  in 
the  Town  Parrish  or  Precinct  where  shuch  Election  was.  direct- 
ly against  a Law  of  this  Province  Intitled  An  Act  for  calling 
and  Ellecting  Assembly  men  and  their  Quallification  and  even 
the  Returns  of  the  writs  for  the  choice  of  said  persons  for  Rep- 
resentatives shew  that  the  meetings  for  Electing  them  wer 
Illegall  and  tho’  the  Town  of  Dunstable  had  thirty  five  families 
settled  in  it  in  the  year  16S0  most  of  which  wer  within  the 
bounds  of  said  Town  as  now  Incorporated  in  this  Province  yet 
we  are  omitted  and  deprived  of  having  any  voice  in  the  Elec- 
tion of  a Representative  in  this  Assembly  the  said  Town  Rec*^ 
a Charter  ap*^  i*  1746  from  the  Governor  and  Council  of  this 
Province  with  all  the  Powers  and  authorities  Immunities  and 
Franchises  with  other  Towns  within  said  Province  or  any  of 
them  by  Law  have  and  Enjoy  and  yet  other  Towns  not  so  long 
Settled  nor  Taxed  so  much  have  the  previledge  allowed  them 
which  we  are  denied 

we  pray  that  these  Afiairs  may  be  Exam*^  into  and  Consid- 
ered and  something  determined  upon  the  same  so  that  people 
may  know  how  to  practice  for  the  future  we  pray  the  said  per- 
sons may  not  be  allowed  to  set  in  the  Assembly  to  vote  and 
Act  as  assembly  men  that  we  may  not  have  any  Laws  or  Votes 
passed  before  the  House  of  Representatives  be  purged  of  those 
whose  choice  is  Ilegall  and  that  said  persons  may  not  be 
Allowed  to  vote  or  act  in  any  Afiair  before  it  be  determined 
wheither  their  Election  is  Legal  or  not  we  pray  that  we  may 
42 


626 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


be  supported  protected  and  defended  in  the  Enjoyment  of  our 
Lawful  Rights  and  Previledges  as  a free  people  under  the  Eng- 
lish constitution  and  Goverment  so  that  we  and  others  may  not 
be  Striped  of  the  same  and  we  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever 
Pray 

Dunstable  march  y®  13*^  1762 


Jonathan  Lovewell 
John  Alld 
Joseph  French 
Jonathan  Lund 
Jeremiah  Blanchard 
Thomas  Harwood 
Joseph  Whiting 
John  Honey 
Thomas  Lund 


hii 


John  X Searles 

mark 

Jeremiah  Colburn 
John  Blanchard 
William  Harvey 
Daniel  Searles 
Oliver  woods 
John  Snow 
Winkall  Wright 
Joseph  Heall 
Medad  Combs 


Isaac  Powers 
David  Gilson 
Eleazer  Fisk 
Benja  Taylor 
Nathancl  Jewell 
Daniel  J°®  Shapperd 
James  Whitney 
Benjamin  Smith 
Zaccheus  Lovewell 
John  fletcher 
John  Wright 
Peter  Honey 
Jacob  Taylor 
Cornelius  Danaly 
William  Lund 
Joseph  Eayrs 
Sam'^  Roby 
Thom  as  Pleall 
John  Lovewell 
Jos  : Senter 


Oliver  Farwell 
Ebe^  Harris 
Ebenezer  Harris  Ju** 
Thomas  Butterfield 
John  Butterfield 
Charles  Butterfield 
John  Phelps 
Jonathan  Powers 
Jeams  Harwood  Ju*^ 
Josiah  Butterfield 
William  M®luer 
abraham  heall 
Samuel  Searles 
Benj®^  French 
Jonathan  Whiting 
Ephrim  Butterfeld 
David  Alld 
Noah  Johnson 


[7-106]  \_Trouble  at  a Town-Meetings  1^62. 

Province  of  N Hampshire  Jan^  19**^  1762. 

Proceedings  of  a meeting  held  at  Dunstable  at  the  house  of 
ColP  Zaccheus  Lovewell’s,  by  the  Inhabitance  of  the  towns  of 
Dunstable  and  Holies,  being  assembled  by  notifications,  sign’d 
by  the  Select-men  of  both  Towns,  pursuant  to  a precept  direct- 
ed to  them  from  the  high  Sherifi'  of  said  Province,  to  assemble 
the  inhabitants  of  said  Towns,  Qualify’d  for  voting  in  the 
choice  of  Representatives,  to  make  choice  of  a Person  to  rep- 
resent them  in  Gen’^  Assembly  ; and  being  met,  Jon“  Lovewell 
Esq*"  One  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  Town  of  Dunstable  Open’d 
the  meeting  in  the  following  manner,  (viz)  he  read  the  precept 
sent  up,  also  read  one  of  the  Notifications  pursuant  to  the  pre- 
cept, sign’d  by  the  Selectmen  for  both  Towns  after  which  he 
address’t  himself  to  the  People  assembled,  setting  forth  what 
an  unrighteous  and  unjust  thing  it  was  to  Couple  these  Towns 


NASHUA. 


627 


to  make  choice  of  a Representative,  and  signify’d  it  was  taking 
away  Our  Priviledges  &c,  and  after  considerable  of  Preamble, 
said  that  Holies  had  no  right  to  vote  in  this  meeting.  Only  such 
as  had  a real  Estate  in  the  Town  of  Dunstable  ; to  which  One 
of  the  Selectmen  for  the  Town  of  Dunstable,  and  the  Select- 
men for  the  Town  of  Holies,  made  answer,  that  the  Inhabi- 
tance  of  Holies  had  as  good  right  to  vote  as  the  People  of 
Dunstable,  by  appealing  to  the  Precept ; and  that  those  Towns 
has  been  Coupeld  togather  here  to  fore  ; and  further  appeal’d 
to  the  Notification  pursuant  to  the  Precept,  sign’d  by  the  Select- 
men of  both  Towns — AT  Lovewell  said  twas  Contrary  to  Law 
for  both  Towns  to  vote  together  ; and  Desir’d  the  Inhabitance 
of  Dunstable  to  seperate  themselves  from  the  Inhabitance  of 
Holies,  (Only  such  as  had  real  Estate  in  the  Town  of  Dunsta- 
ble) and  bring  in  their  votes  for  a Moderator  ; upon  which  one 
of  the  Select  men  for  the  Town  of  Holies,  refusd  Complying 
with,  and  beg’d  there  might  be  no  seperation  between  said 
Towns  in  their  Voting,  and  Desir’d  the  People  of  both  Towns 
to  go  on  peacebly  and  According  to  the  Precept,  which  was 
directed  as  much  to  Holies,  as  Dunstable,  which  M*"  Lovewell 
publickly  refus’d,  by  ordering  the  Inhabitance  of  Dunstable  to 
seperate  themselves  from  the  Inhabitance  of  Holies,  and  to 
bring  in  their  votes  for  a Moderator  ; upon  which  the  Select- 
men of  Dunstable  and  Holies,  spake  Audibly  to  the  People  of 
both  Towns,  to  bring  in  their  votes  together,  for  a Moderator 
according  to  the  Precept,  &c,  and  the  votes  being  brot  in  there 
was  one  hundred  and  two  for  Deacon  Worcester,  and  there 
was  sixty  five  for  JoiT  Lovewell  Esq*’  upon  which  Esq*^  Love- 
well Immediately  declar’d,  that  the  Town  of  Dunstable  had 
made  choice  of  himself  for  a Moderator  ; upon  which  the  Se- 
lect Men  of  Dunstable  and  Holies,  as  aforesaid,  Declar’d  the 
Inhabitance  of  Dunstable  and  Holies,  had  chosen  Deacon 
Worcester  for  a Moderator  for  this  meeting,  by  a great  Major- 
ity, then  Esq*"  Lovewell  orders  the  men  of  Dunstable  to  bring 
in  their  votes  for  a Representative  ; M*"  Worcester  Moderator, 
Insisted  that  it  was  his  right  to  order  as  a Moderator,  requested 
the  Precept  of  M*"  Lovewell,  which  m*’  Lovewell  Publickly  re- 
fus’d to  let  him  have  or  see  ; upon  which  M*’  Worcester  (hav- 
ing one  of  the  Notifications)  said,  Pursuant  to  the  Notification 
founded  upon  the  Precept  &c  to  the  Inhabitance  of  the  Town 
of  Dunstable  and  Holies,  to  bring  in  their  votes  for  a Repre- 
sentative, the  votes  being  brot  in,  there  was  One  hundred  and 
two  for  Doctor  Hale,  and  there  was  sixty  three  for  M*"  Love- 
well ; which  M*"  Lovewell  Immediately  declar’d  the  Town  of 
Dunstable  had  Chosen  himself  for  their  Representative  M*" 
Worcester  declar’d,  pursuant  to  the  Notification,  founded  upon 
the  precept  to  Dunstable  and  Holies,  they  had  made  Choice  of 


628 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Doctor  John  Hale,  to  represent  said  Towns  in  Gen^^  Assembly 
&c — 

Francis  Worcester  Moderator  for  said  meeting 

Province  of  New  Hamp^ — Dunstable  Jan^  y®  19^^  1762 

We  the  Subscribers,  Testify  the  within  is  the  proceedings  of 
the  meeting  held  this  Instant 

David  Hobart  Selectman  for  Dunstable 
Sam'^  Cumings  ) Selectmen 
Benj“  Abbett  j for  Holies 
John  Boynton 
Abel  Webster 


[7-107]  \_Petition  relative  to  the  foregoing^  7/(52.] 

To  the  Gen^  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  New  Hamp*"  Now 

Holden  at  Portsmouth  in  s*^  Province — 

The  Petition  of  the  Freeholders  of  Dunstable  in  said  Prov- 
ince Humbly  Sheweth  that  on  the  19^^  Day  of  January  Instant 
the  freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable  in  s*^  Province  met  in 
s*^  Dunstable  to  Elect  a Representative  and  more  than  fifty 
Freeholders  of  s*^  Town  of  Dunstable  who  had  a real  Estate  in 
the  same  of  fifty  pounds  value  Chose  Jonathan  Lovewell  Esq' 
for  their  Representative  which  choice  was  made  by  a Great 
majority  of  those  present  which  had  a real  Estate  in  s*^  town  of 
Dunstable  of  s^  value.  Tho  after  Reading  the  Law  about  the 
Qiiallilication  of  voters  in  s*^  meeting  we  ware  much  Disturbed 
by  the  Select  men  of  Holies  and  a Great  number  of  people  that 
Joined  them  from  Holies  monson  and  Pepperel  who  set  up  a 
meeting  without  Joining  with  the  Selectmen  of  Dunstable  to 
Qualify  the  meeting  accoring  to  Law,  and  in  their  pretended 
meeting  Declared  that  Docf  John  Hale  was  chose  a Repre- 
sentative for  Dunstable  and  Holies  but  among  them  that  voted 
for  said  Hale  we  Cant  find  ten  persons  that  had  any  real  Estate 
in  said  Dunstable  so  that  the  choice  of  s*^  Hale  was  not  made  by 
a majority  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable  where 
the  meeting  was  held  but  the  choice  of  s*^  Lovewell  was,  we 
therefore  pray  that  the  Choice  of  s*^  Hale  may  be  Declared 
Null  because  against  a positive  Law  which  says  no  person 
shall  have  the  Liberty  of  voting  in  the  choice  of  Representa- 
tives other  than  such  who  has  a real  Estate  of  the  value  of  fifty 
pounds  within  the  Town  Parish  or  Precinct  where  such  Elec- 
tion shall  be  and  we  Desire  that  the  choice  of  s*^  Lovewell  may 
be  confirmed  and  accepted  because  agreeable  to  Law  Except 
any  fault  in  the  writ  and  if  that  should  be  the  case  that  a new 


NASHUA. 


629 


Writ  may  be  sent  to  the  Town  of  Dunstable  from  the  assem- 
bly for  a New  choice  without  being  Joined  with  any  that  cant 
agreeable  to  Law  vote  with  us — 

We  pray  that  the  point  may  be  Determined  and  Settled  so 
that  we  may  know  whither  we  shall  practice  according  to  the 
positive  Laws  of  the  Province  or  not 

We  pray  that  we  may  be  Defended  in  our  Lawfull  Rights 
and  previledges  as  a free  people  under  the  English  Goverment 
and  not  Stript  of  them  by  any  power  or  Number  whatsoever 
we  dont  desire  to  act  against  the  Kings  Prerogative,  but  pray 
that  we  may  not  Loose  our  Previlidge  as  a people  and  we  as  in 
Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 

Dunstable  January  the  20*'^  1762 


Zacheues  Lovewell 
Jonathan  Combs 
Thomas  Heall 
John  Alld 
Joseph  Whiting 
Benja  Taylor 
John  Lovewell 
Oliver  woods 
Jeremiah  Blanchar^ 
John  Blanchard 
Thomas  Lund 
Jonathan  Lund 
Tho  Harwood 
William  Harris 
Jeremiah  Colburn 
Ephr'"  Butterfield 
Reuben  Colburn 
William  Lund 
William  Cox 
Edward  Cox 
Oliver  Farwell 
Daniel  Searles 


Joseph  French 
Sam'^  Roby 
Joseph  Eayrs 
John  Searles 
Samuel  Searls 
Ebenez^  Cumings 
Benjamin  Smith 
Cornelus  Danly 
Thomas  Blanchard 
Thomas  Blanchard 
Jun 

pelatiah  whittemor 
Jun 

John  Fletcher 
John  Wright 
Nathanel  Severnce 
Daniel  Pike 
Peter  Honey 
Jacob  Taylor 
Salvenus  whitney 
David  Gilson 
James  Sawyer 


Elazar  fisk 
David  adams 
Reuben  Rousel 
Winkall  Wright 
Noah  Johnson 
Josiah  Butterfield 
Ebenezer  Harris 
Ebenezer  Harris 
iuner 

James  Llarwood  Jun 
John  Snow 
Tho®  Butterfield 
John  Butterfild 
Charles  Butterfield 
william  mcluer 
John  Phelps 
Isaac  Powers 
John  Honey 
Henry  Spalding 
Jonnathen  Parker 
Jos  Senter 


[7-108]  S^Notice  of  Meetings  i'j62.'\ 

Province  of  New  Hamp*' 

Notice  is  here  by  Given  to  the  Freeholders  of  the  Towns  of 
Dunstable  and  Holies  in  said  Province,  that  are  Qiiallified  by 
Law  to  Elect  Representatives,  that  they  meet  at  the  Dwelling- 
house  of  ColP  Zacheus  Lovewell  Innholder  in  said  Dunstable, 
on  Tusday  the  nineteenth  day  of  January  Currant,  at  one 
oclock  in  the  afternoon  ; and  being  meet,  to  Elect  one  Person 


630 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Quallified  by  Law  to  Represent  the  said  Towns  in  Generali 
Assembly. 

Dunstable  January  y®  4*^  1762 — 

Jon®  Lovewell  ) Select"  of 
David  Hobart  ) Dunstable 
Sam^  Cumings^ 

John  Hale  > Select"  of  Holies 
Abel  Webster  j 


Province  of  New  Hamp’’ — Holies  January  the  19*^  1762. 


Wee  have  Notified  the  quallie^  voters  in  the  Town  of  Holies 
to  meet  at  time  and  place,  as  Expre*^  in  the  within  notification, 
by  posting  this  Notification  at  the  meeting  House  in  s*^  Holies, 
according  to  the  usuall  practice  of  s*^  Town. 


Sam'  Cumings 
John  Hale 
Abel  Webster 


Select  men 
of  Holies 


Province  of  New  Hamp'' — 

In  persuance  of  a writ  or  precept.  Directed  to  the  selectmen 
of  the  Towns  of  Dunstable  and  Holies,  in  said  provinc  Direct- 
ing that  the  said  Select  men,  Cause  the  freeholders  Qiialify’d  by 
Law,  to  Elect  Representatives  to  meet  at  some  convenient 
place  in  said  Dunstable  ; and  in  Obedience  thereunto  we  the 
Subscribers,  being  the  selectmen  hav'e  caused,  the  Freeholders 
of  said  Town  to  be  duly  notify’d  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Coll" 
Zaccheus  Lovewell  Innholder  in  Dunstable,  and  met  and  chose 
IvP  John  Hale  Physician,  of  Holies,  to  represent  the  said  Towns 
in  Gen"  Assembly;  Furthermore,  the  Constable  of  Dunstable, 
has  notify’d  said  Hale  to  appear  at  time  and  place,  according 
to  our  Directions 

David  Hobart  Selectmen  of  Dunstable 
Sam"  Cumings 

Benj"  Abbott  ^ Selectmen  of  Holies 
Abel  Webster  ) 

Dunstable  Janury  the  19*"  1762 


[7-109]  [ Votes  relative  to  “ One  Phie  HilV^  matters.~\ 

At  a Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Dunstable 
Regularley  Assembled  on  the  27"*  Day  of  Nov*"  1758?  Contin- 
ued by  Ajournment  to  y®  Day  of  Decemb’’  then  next  fol- 
lowing 


NASHUA. 


631 


Extract  from  the  Votes  of  y®  said  Meeting 

Then  it  Was  Proposed  that  Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  Pine- 
Hill  are  Uneasey  with  their  Paying  to  the  Ministers  Rate  When 
the  Meeting  house  stands  so  far  from  the  Center  and  they  hav- 
ing Requested  that  they  may  be  set  to  Holies  Proposed  by  way 
of  Settlement  with  them  to  make  them  Easey  that  the  Meeting 
house  be  Mov*^  to  the  Center  of  Land  in  this  Town  Voted  in 
the  Affirmative 

The  said  Meeting  was  Continued  by  Ajournment  to  the  29*^^ 
Day  of  January  1759 

Props'^  That  Whereas  on  the  18^^  of  Decemb''  Last  the  In- 
habitance  of  this  Town  Voted  that  the  Meeting  house  be  Mov^^ 
to  the  Center  of  Land  in  this  Town  hoping  that  in  so  Doing 
the  Inhabitance  of  Pine-Hill  would  be  Content  and  Joyn  in 
Settling  a Minister,  But  Finding  that  they  nither  Come  to  hear 
one  Sermon  with  us  nor  Appear  Content.  It  is  Therefore  now 
Propos‘d  that  the  said  Vote  be  Reconsider‘d  and  Voted  in  the 
Affirmative — 

Then  it  was  Propos'd  That  in  Case  this  Town  dos  Proceed  to 
Settle  M*"  Cotton  or  any  other  Gentleman  in  the  Work  of  the 
Ministry  and  the  Inhabitants  of  Pine-Hill  Doth  Consent  and 
Joyn  therein  That  then  the  said  Inhabitants  of  Pine  Hill  shall 
Annually  have  their  full  part  of  the  Preaching  In  proportion  to 
their  taxes  for  the  same  in  any  Place  in  said  Dunstable  where 
They  Shall  Agree  to  have  it  Voted  in  the  Affirmative 

A True  Entry  of  the  Votes  Recorded  by  Jonathan  Lund 
Town  Clerk 

A True  Coppy  from  Dunstable  Records 

Attest  Jonathan  Lund  Town  Clerk 

Dunstable  February  y®  4**^ 

[See  Hollis  papers,  ante. — Ed.] 


[7-110]  \^Relative  to  the  formation  of  Counties^  //dp.] 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq  Cap*  General  Gov- 
ernor Commander  &c  of  the  Province  of  new  Hampshire  To 
the  Honorable  his  Majestys  Council  & Assembly  of  said 
Province 

We  Inhabitants  of  Dunstable  in  said  province  Beg  leave  to 
Return  your  Excellency  & Honors  Thanks  for  the  Prudence 
and  Wisdom  you  have  exhibted  in  forming  the  Lines  of  the 
middle  County,  so  agreeable  to  Nature  : w’e  are  of  Opinion  that 
the  thing  is  done  to  the  best  advantage  and  pray  that  there  may 


632 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


not  be  even  one  Town  Annexed  to  this  County  as  We  think  it 
will  give  Birth  to  a great  Deal  of  Confusion 
We  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Dated  10^^  of  April  1769 


Zacchus  Lovewell 
Jonathan  Lund 
Thomas  Harwood 
Silas  Adams 
Will"'  Hunt 
Thomas  Butterfield 
William  Robey 
William  Lund 
Jonathan  Emerson 
Daniel  Searls 
Nathan  Cutler 

Reuben 

Thomas  Cillecut 
William  Dandely 
thomas  Blanchard  i 
Thomas  Blanchard 
John  fletcher 
John  wright 


John  wright  Jun’’ 
Daniel  Pike 
Ephraim  Adams 
Henry  Adams 
Samuel  Searles 
Winkall  Wright 
Thomas  Lund  Ju' 
John  Searles 
Benjamin  Smith 
Jonathan  Lund  Ju*' 
Amos  Eastman 
Thomas  Lund 
William  Walker 
Elnathan  Sherwin 
Oliver  woods 
Benja  Taylor 
Jon^  Lovewell  Ju’’ 
Daniel  Warner 


Nicholas  youngman  * 
Jo®  Whiting 
Joseph  french  Junier 
JoiT  Powers  Ju’’ 
William  Hastings 
Thomas  Killecut 
John  Alld 
Medad  Combs 
John  Coxton 
Ebenezer  Harris 
juner 

Abel  butterfeld 
Jonathan  Butterfield 
James  Harw’d 
John  Snow 
John  Butterfield 


[7-1 1 1]  \_Relative  to  Bridge  over  Nashua  River ^ ^773 
Province  of  Newhampshire 

To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq  captain  general  gov- 
ernour  and  commander  in  chief  and  to  the  honourable 

his  majestys  councill  & house  of  representatives  for  said  prov- 
ince. 

The  petition  of  William  Nevins  agent  for  & in  behalf  of  the 
town  of  Holies  in  said  province  most  humbly  sheweth  that 
Nashua  river  for  the  length  of  about  two  miles  from  the  line  of 
the  province  of  the  Massachusetts  bay  north  ward  is  the  bound- 
ary between  Holies  & Dunstable  but  comprehended  in  neither. 
And  that  the  country  road  crosses  the  said  river  within  that 
space.  That  a bridge  was  formerly  built  there  by  private  prop- 
erty which  is  decayed.  And  there  is  a necessity  of  a new  bridge 
being  built  for  the  safety  and  convenience  of  his  majestys  sub- 
jects. But  the  same  not  being  within  the  bounds  of  any  town 
there  is  no  method  to  compell  the  building  & repairing  thereof 
without  the  interposition  of  this  honourable  court.  Wherefore 
your  petitioner  prays  that  an  act  may  be  passed  to  oblige  the 
said  Towns  of  Holies  & Dunstable  to  build  & repair  said  bridge 


NASHUA.  633 

at  their  joynt  cost,  and  your  petitioner  in  the  behalf  aforesaid 
shall  ever  pray  &ca 

William  Nevens 

January  25*'^  1773. 


[7-1 1 2]  S^Petition  f 01'  Authority  to  elect  a Representative^ 
State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  hon^*®  the  Council  & Gentlemen  of  the  hon'’’®  house  of 

Representatives  of  said  state  in  General  assembly  Convcnd  at 

Concord  0000*“  1783. — 

Humbly  apply  the  Subscribers,  Legal  Voters  of  twenty  one 
Years  of  age  & upwards  paying  for  them  selves  a poll  tax  in 
Dunstable  in  said  state. 

That  the  new  Constitution  or  form  of  Government  for  this 
State  provides  that  every  Town  Parish  or  Place  intitled  to 
Town  priviledges  having  one  hundred  & fifty  rateable  polls 
of  twenty  one  Years  of  age  & upwards  may  Elect  one  Repre- 
sentative.— and  such  Towns  Parishes  or  Places  as  have  less 
than  one  hundred  & fifty  rateable  polls  shall  be  Classed  by  the 
General  Assembly  for  the  purpose  of  Chusing  a Representa- 
tive.— and  whenever  any  Town  Parish  or  Place  intitled  to  Town 
Priviledges  shall  not  have  one  hundred  & fifty  rateable  polls  & 
be  so  Situated  as  to  render  the  Classing  thereof  very  inconven- 
ient the  General  assembly  may  upon  Application  of  a Majority 
of  Voters  in  such  Town  Parish  or  Place  issue  a Writ  for  their 
Electing  & sending  a Representative  to  the  Gener^  Court. — 
That  the  Subscribers  conceive  that  they  fall  within  the  last  Dis- 
cription  not  being  one  hundred  & fiftv  rateable  polls  & being 
so  Situated  as  to  render  the  Classing  thereof  very  inconvenient. 

That  they  are  ready  to  Contribute  to  the  Support  of  Govern- 
ment, and  are  willing  to  have  a Voice  in  raising  the  agregate 
sum. — 

Wherefore  they  pray  that  in  the  New  Arangement  for  the 
next  assembly  a precept  may  issue  to  the  said  Town  of  Dun- 
stable for  Electing  & Sending  a Representative  under  Such 
Regulations  as  Other  Towns  in  the  same  Predicament. — 


Thomas  Howard 
Daniel  woods 
Benj'^  Whitney 
Noah  Lovewell 
Benj®  Smith 
Henry  Adams 
Samuel  Searles 


JoiP  Lovewell 
Benoni  Jewell 
Benjamin  Jewell 
Peter  Honey 
Pam  iter  Honey 
Zacch®  Alexander 
Jon®  Powers 


Jon®  Lovewell  Jifi 
Jon®  Butterfield 
Sam^^  Roby 
Thomus  Roby 
Ebenr  Harris 
Ebenezer  Harris  Jifi 
Thomas  Clark 


634 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Benja  Taylor  Joseph  Heail  Allan  Stewart 

Benj“  Tayler  Junr  Oliver  Blodget  Noah  Lund 

John  Snow  John  Butterfield  David  Alld 

John  Snow  Jun*"  Charles  Butterfield  John  Alld 

John  Sarles  John  Lund 

Jo®  Whiting  Jonathan  Harris 


[A  second  petition  contains  the  following  : — Ed.] 


Will'"  Hunt  John  Fletcher 

Jeremiah  Hunt  Daniel  Pike 

John  Manning  Thomas  Blanchard 

Eleazer  Fisk  ju'' 

Benj“  French  William  Harris 

Theodore  French  Simeon  Stevens 

Ezekiel  Gardner  Daniel  Lund 

John  Qiieen  John  Wright 

Patrick  Landagal  Zebedee  Wright 


Jacob  Adams 
Asa  more 
Thomas  Lund  Jun'' 
OLiver  Woods 


Winkall  Wright 


Ebenezer  Woods 
Nathan  Cutler 
Levi  Lund 
Oliver  Wright 


John  Fletcher  Jun*"  John  Wright  jun*'  Phinehas  Whitney 


act  number  of  Male  polls  in  each  Towns  paying  for  themselves 
a poll  tax  in  order  to  Apportion  the  Representation  to  the  Next 


Male  polls  in  Dunstable  of  twenty  one  years  of  age  & upwards 
liable  to  pay  for  themselves  a poll  tax  which  amounts  to  one 
hundred  & Nineteen 

Dunstable  Dec*"  1783. — 


[R.  3-1]  \^Lieut.  yona»  Emerson^ s Petition^  ^779 

To  the  Honorable  Council  & House  of  Representatives  for  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  Conveened  at  Exeter  June  i779 

Humbly  sheweth  Jonathan  Emerson  of  Dunstable  in  said 
State — that  he  was  a Lieutenant  in  the  first  Battalion  of  the 
Troops  raised  in  this  State,  for  the  defence  of  the  United  States 


Thomas  Killecut  Ephraim  adams  Thomas  Lund 

Medad  Combs  William  Honey  Joel  Lund 

Benajah  Webster  Henry  Hale  RoU  Fletcher 


[7-1 14]  \_Peturn  of  Ratable  Polls^  1^83. 

Pursuant  to  an  order  of  the  General  Court  for  taking  the  Ex- 


Assembly. — We  the  Subscribers  have  taken  an  exact  list  of  the 


Noah  Lovewell 
John  Lund 
Joel  Lund 


NELSON. 


635 


of  America — that  in  the  Battle  near  Saratoga  on  the  19*’'  Day  of 
September  1777,  he  was  wounded  by  a Musket  Ball  from  the 
Enemy,  which  went  through  his  Arm,  & through  his  Body, 
which  caused  him  great  pain  & much  distress — by  means 
whereof  he  is  rendered  unfit  & incapable  to  serve  in  the  Army 
— or  to  Labour  at  home — Wherefore  he  humbly  prays,  that  the 
Honorable  Court  would  take  his  case  into  consideration,  & 
grant  him  such  Relief,  as  to  your  Honors  shall  seem  fit,  & your 
Petitioner,  as  in  Duty  Bound  prays 

Dunstable  June  1779 — 

JoiP  Emerson 


[Z?r.  Hale’s  Certijicate.'\ 


I Certify  that  Lent.  Jonathan  Emerson  of  Col°  Cillies  Regm* 
was  Wounded  at  the  Battel  with  the  Enemy  near  Saratoga  of 
the  Ninteenth  of  Septem'’  1777  and  I think  he  is  not  Fit  to 
Serve  as  an  officer  in  the  Cause  of  the  United  States  by  Reason 
of  the  Wounds  he  Recev^^  at  that  time,  an  would  Recomend 
him  to  the  Favour  of  the  Honorabel  General  Cort  of  the  State 
of  New  Hampshier 


I am  your  HumU  Serv‘ 


John  Hale  Surgeon 

to  CoP  Cillies  Regm*  in  GeU  Poors  Brigade 


Holies  April  5 1779 


[He  was  allowed  half  pay  until  further  orders. — Ed.] 

I 


NELSON. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  proprietors, 
and  went  by  the  name  of  Monadnock  No.  6 until  February 
22,  I774»  when  it  was  incorporated  and  named  Packersfield, 
in  honor  of  Thomas  Packer,  of  Portsmouth,  one  of  the 
largest  proprietors. 

In  1777  an  attempt  was  made  to  have  the  name  changed 
to  Sullivan,  which  was  unsuccessful. 

By  an  act  passed  September  27,  1787,  a portion  of  the 
north-west  part  of  the  town,  about  two  miles  square,  was 
combined  with  portions  of  Keene,  Gilsum,  and  Stoddard, 
and  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Sullivan. 


636 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


The  formation  of  the  town  of  Roxbury,  December  9, 
1812,  took  off  the  south-west  corner  of  this  town,  and  a 
portion  of  Keene  and  Marlborough. 

The  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  Nelson,  October  i, 
1814,  in  accordance  with  a vote  of  the  legislature  in  June 
previous. 

The  boundary  line  between  this  town  and  Roxbury  was 
changed  June  15,  1820,  a small  tract  of  land  being  severed 
from  the  former  and  annexed  to  the  latter  town. 

June  25,  1835,  the  farm  of  Ebenezer  Tarbox  was  severed 
from  Stoddard,  and  annexed  to  Nelson. 

Breed  Batchelder,  a tory  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  Dr.  Nathaniel  Breed,  commenced  settling  the  town  in 
1767-8. 


[7-249]  S^Petition  for  an  htcorporation  of  the  Town^  ^77J0 
Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  wentworth  Esq*'  Captain  General-Gov- 
oner  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  Said  Province 
and  the  Honourable  his  majestys  Council  for  Said  Province 

Humbly  Shewes  Breed  Batcheller  of  monadnock  Number 
Six  in  the  County  of  Cheshire  and  Province  afore  Said  Gentle- 
man, as  agent  for  the  Proprietors  of  Said  monadnock,  that  the 
Said  Proprietors  & the  Public  Labour  under  many  Disadvant- 
ages for  want  of  the  Said  Proprietors  being  Incorperated  into  a 
Town,  & Invested  with  Town  Priviledges  The  Proprietors  of 
Said  monadnock  this  year  are  ordered  to  pay  a Certain  Sum,  to 
wards  the  Province  Tax,  which  Cannot  be  assessed  upon  the 
Inhabitants  of  Said  monadnock  for  want  of  Town  officers  to 
assess  the  Same 

your  Petitioner  Conceives  that  an  Incorporation  of  Said  mo- 
nadnock, would  Greatly  Encourage  and  faceletate  the  Settle- 
ment, & tend  to  the  Good  order  thereof. — 

Wherefore  he  in  there  behalf,  prays  your  Excellency  & Hon- 
ours, would  incorporate  Said  Proprietors  into  a Town  by  the 
Name  of  Packersfield  and  invest  them  with  Town  Privilidges, 
and  your  Petitioner  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  pray 

November  ^773 — 

Breed  Batcheller  agent 

[The  town  was  incorporated  by  the  governor  and  coun- 
cil, and  named  Packersfield,  February  22,  1774. — Ed.] 


NELSON. 


637 


[y— 250]  \^Petition  for  Cha^ige  of  the  Na?ne  of  the  Town^ 

1777 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  Council  & House  of  Representitives  in 

General  Court  assembled. 

the  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Packersfield  Humbly  Shew- 
eth  Whereas  your  petitioners  are  by  Charter  obliged  to  hold 
their  annual  Meeting  in  august  which  is  a busy  time  of  the  year 
we  desire  your  honours  would  order  our  annual  meeting  for  the 
future  to  be  in  March,  also  that  the  Name  of  our  town  maybe 
altered  to  the  Name  of  Sulivan — Likewise  as  our  town  is 
Liable  to  be  Divided  at  the  Governours  pleasure  we  pray  that 
we  Ma}’’  not  be  Divided  without  the  Consent  of  the  Major  part 
of  the  town — 

and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Packerfield  December  22*'*^  ^777 

Nath'^  Breed  in  the  Name  and  behalf 
of  the  town 

[The  H.  of  Rep.  granted  leave  to  “ bring  in  a bill,’’  but  it 
was  finally  ordered  “ to  lay  for  consideration.” — Ed.] 


[7-252]  [ George  Brmtnair s order  to  inarch^  777^.] 
m*"  george  Brintnall  Sir 

you  are  hearby  ordered  to  march  immedately  to  the  Hoifi 
Committee  of  Safty  or  muster  master  genral  at  Exeter  there  to 
Receive  your  Billiten  and  Expence  money  as  one  Engage‘S  in 
the  Continental  Servise  for  nine  months  according  to  the  orders 
I Reciev^  from  Co'  Enoch  Hale 

Packerfield  may  ye  5*'^  '77^ 

James  Bancroft  Cap‘ 


[7-251]  \_Relative  to  Taxes^  Town  Records^  etc.^ 

\ 

To  the  Honorable  the  Counsil  and  assembly  of  the  Estate  of 
Newhamshire — 

We  the  Subscribers  Select  Men  of  the  Town  of  Packerfield 
in  the  Countie  of  Cheshire  Humbly  Request  Your  Honours 
that  You  Would  be  Pleased  to  Grant  them  Some  farther  Time 
for  Paying  in  the  State  tax  for  the  Reasons  following  Viz — 

first  because  We  Receiv‘d  the  act  for  Making  the  tax  but 


638 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


about  a Week  Past  & the  Time  is  too  Short  to  Sell  the  Lands 
Seacondly  because  Maj’’  Breed  Batchellor  who  is  Proprietors 
Clerk  has  absconded  and  Joyned  the  Enemy  (tho  we  have 
Searched)  we  cannot  find  the  Plan  or  Records  of  the  Proprie- 
tors Rights  or  the  Publick  Lotts  therefore  as  the  Greater  Part 
of  the  Township  is  Owned  by  Persons  Living  Out  of  Town 
and  Unknown  to  us  We  Cannot  Make  the  Rates  according  to 
Law  Without  a Plan  of  the  Town  We  Shall  Endeavour  to  Git 
One  from  the  Lord  Proprietors  Records — 

Likewise  We  Would  Request  Your  Honours  to  aquaint  Us 
Whether  the  Late  adition  to  an  Act  Entitled  an  act  to  assess 
Real  and  Personal  Estates  Viz  all  Other  Real  Estate  Either 
Lands  or  Buildings  Not  Included  in  the  first  act  is  Likewise  to 
be  Rated  in  all  Other  Town  and  Parish  Rates  as  Apprehend 
Was  the  Intent  of  the  act  but  by  a Clause  in  the  act  Seems 
Doubtful  to  Some  what  was  Intended  and  Your  Petitioners  as 
in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray 
Packerfield  Feby  9**^  i77^ 

John  Brown  ] Select  Men  of 
Amos  Skinner  t Packerfield 


[7-2 £^3]  \_Relative  to  Estate  of  Thomas  Packer^  etc.^ 

To  The  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives,  of 

the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  In  general  Court  Assembled. 

May  it  please  your  Honors. 

The  Petition  of  the  Select  Men  of  the  Town  of  Packerfield 
humbly  Sheweth. — Whereas  the  last  general  Assembly  of 
this  State  was  pleased  to  pass  an  Act,  to  Suspend  the  payment 
of  the  Taxes  of  the  Lands  of  mr  Thomas  Packer,  until  the  Dis- 
pute with  respect  to  the  last  Will  And  Testament  of  his  late 
Father,  Thomas  Packer  Esqb  is  determined  Which  Act  or 
Order  of  the  said  general  Assembly  involves  the  Town  in  much 
Difficulty,  as  by  this  Means  We  are  prevented  Settling  with 
the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  And  receiving  the  Money  ordered 
by  Law  to  be  paid  by  Sd  Treasurer  for  the  Beef  which  this 
Town  has  provided  And  Sent  to  the  Army.  Therefore  Your 
Petitioners  humbly  pray  That  your  Honors  would  be  pleased, 
to  pass  an  Act  or  Order,  That  the  Sd  Suspended  Tax,  Should 
Answer  So  much  with  the  Sd  Treasurer,  that  the  Town  may 
draw  their  Proportion  of  Money  for  the  Beef  which  the  Town 
has  provided.  And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall 
ever  pray 

Packerfield  Decern''  30“^  1780. 

William  Barker  ] Select  Men  of  the 
John  Brown  j town  of  Packerfield 


NELSON. 


639 


[7—254]  \^Return  of  Ratable  Polls ^ //cSj*.] 

Pursuant  to  A Vote  of  the  General  assembly  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  Directed  to  us  we  Return  Ninety  Male  poles 
paying  a pole  tax  for  them  Selves  within  the  Town  of  Packer- 
field 

Packerfield  November  10*'^  ^7^3 — 

To  the  General  assembly  of  the  State  of  New  : Hampshire — 

Samuel  Griffin  | Select 
Consider  Osgood  j men 


[7-257  [^Relative  to  a division  of  the  Pown  for  the  forma- 

tion  of  Sullivan^  i'/86.~\ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 

for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Convean*^ 

At  Portsmouth  December  A.  D.  1786 

The  petition  in  behalf  of  the  Town  of  Packersfeild  Humblv 
Sheweth  that  your  petitioners  have  ben  Serv^  With  a Copy  of 
a petition  and  order  of  Court  thereon  signed  by  a number  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  of  Gilsom  Stoddard  & keen  Set- 
ing  forth  in  S^  petition  that  the  Situation  of  a number  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  aforesaid  Togather  with  Part  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Packerfeild  is  such  that  they  Can- 
not be  accomedated  with  Privileges  Equal  to  the  other  Inhabi 
tants  of  their  respective  Towns,  one  Part  of  which  Ascertion 
your  Petitioners  absolutely  Deny  Because  there  is  not  one 
Inhabitant  on  the  Land  in  packersfeild  Praid  for  in  Said  Peti- 
tion— 

Althoug  at  a meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Packerfield  in  the  month  of  March  A.  D.  1784  There  was  a 
Petition  Sign‘d  by  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  of 
Gilsom  Stoddard  and  Keen  Preferd  in  Said  meeting  praying 
that  the  Town  of  Packerfeild  would  Vote  oft'  a Certain  part  of 
Packerfeild  to  be  Erected  into  a Town  S*^  part  to  Contain  Two 
Miles  East  and  west  and  Two  miles  and  a half  North  and  South 
which  would  Contain  one  Eighth  Part  of  Said  Packerfeild  and 
from  the  reasons  oft'ered  at  that  Time  and  through  inadvertency 
of  the  People  the  prayer  of  Said  Petition  was  granted  upon 
Conditions  that  all  the  respective  Towns  Concern‘d  ware  mutu- 
ally agreed  thereto  (Sence  Which  Period)  not  supposing  that 
the  petitioners  referd  to  would  obtain  their  request  before  the 
general  Assembly)  have  proceeded  to  agree  upon  a Center  for 
Erecting  a meeting  House  and  have  made  provision  for  the 
Same  therefore  if  the  Prayer  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of 


640 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Gilsom  and  others  Preferd  to  the  General  Court  Should  be 
Granted  it  will  be  a means  of  removing  the  Present  Center  and 
frustrate  our  Design  in  Building  a House  for  Public  Worship 
and  thro  the  Town  into  the  uttermost  Confusion  imaginable 
and  as  we  look  upon  your  Honours  as  Guardians  of  the  State 
your  Petitioners  flatter  themselves  that  your  honours  in  your 
known  Wisdom  Will  not  Erect  a New  Town  on  the  ruins  of 
older  ones  : therefore  your  Petitioners  pray  that  the  prayer  of 
the  petition  referd  to  may  not  be  granted 
As  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray 


Packersfeild  Decern''  ist  1786 

[The  north-west  part  of  the  town  was  severed,  and  with 
portions  of  Gilsum  and  Keene  incorporated  into  the  town 
of  Sullivan.] 


|^y_25p]  S^Petition  of  Ruth  Batcheller^  concerning  her  Hus- 
band's confiscated  Estate^ 

State  of  New-Hampshire. — 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  In  gen- 
eral Court  assembled. — 

May  it  please  your  Honors.  The  Petition  of  Ruth  Batchellor 
of  Packersfleld,  humbly  sheweth.  That  your  Petitioner  is  the 
Widow  relict  of  Breed  Batchellor  Esq''  late  of  S*^  Packersfleld — 
Deceased.  Who  in  the  Time  of  the  Controversy  with  Britain, 
was  dissatisfied  with  the  Measures  the  States  Adopted,  in  order 
to  obtain  their  Liberties,  and  delivering  themselves  from  the 
hands  of  the  Britons,  And  therefore  Left  his  Wife,  Children  & 
Estate,  and  went  to  the  British  Army.  Upon  which  the  whole 
of  his  Estate,  real  & personal  was  Confiscated.  And  your  Peti- 
tioner with  her  Children,  was  left  in  distressing  Circumstances, 
her  Children  being  then  Small,  And  unable  to  earn  their  Liv- 
ing, tho  your  Petitioner,  by  the  Indulgence  of  the  honorable 
Judge  of  Probates,  has  been  for  some  Years  past,  indulged  with 
the  Improvement  of  the  Home  Farm,  which  when  mr  Batchel- 
lor left  it  was  new  And  rufi',  the  Fences  made  Chiefly  of  Tim- 
ber, which  now  are  mostly  rotten  And  Decayed.  And  the 
Buildings  are  greatly  decayed  & impaired.  By  which  our  Hab- 
itations are  rendered  uncomfortable.  And  the  profits  of  the  Farm 
are  greatly  lessened  and  rendered  insuflicient  to  afibrd  the  Fam- 
ily, with  all  their  Labour  & Industry  a Comfortable  Support. 


NELSON. 


641 


'Therefore  your  Petitioner  humbly  Prays  that  your  Honors 
A\’ould  take  into  your  serious  Consideration  the  Case  of  a poor 
widow  And  a Number  of  Fatherless  Children,  and  grant  the 
said  Home  Farm  to  your  Petitioner  & her  Children  And  to 
their  Heirs  forever.  That  they  may  be  encouraged  to  repair 
the  Buildings  & Fences,  by  which  the  Farm  may  be  rendered 
Capable  of  affording  the  Family  a Support,  And  Your  Petition- 
er as  in  Duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. — 

Packersfield  June  2d,  17^9* 

Ruth  Batcheller 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  June  12,  1789,  it  was  voted  that  Mrs. 
Batcheller  have  the  use  of  the  estate  free  of  rent  until  the 
matter  was  finally  settled. — Ed.] 


‘[7-261]  S^CertiJicate  of  Nufnber  of  Ratable  Polls^  77^4.] 

This  Certifies  that  their  is  in  the  Town  of  Packersfield  one 
Hundred  and  forty  two  Male  Poles  of  twenty  one  Years  of  age 
and  upwards  paying  a pole  tax  for  them-Selves — 

Saiff  Griffin  ) Select  Men 
Amos  Child  j of  Packersfield 

Packersfield  June  y®  2^  ^794 

This  Certifies  that  at  a legal  Town  Meeting  held  in  the  Town 
of  Packersfield  on  the  twenty  eighth  Day  of  April  Last  the  In- 
habitants Voted  unanimously  that  the  Selectmen  of  Said  Town 
Petition  the  General  Court  at  their  next  Session  for  leave  to 
Send  a Representative 

Sam^  Griffin  T.  Clerk 

Packersfield  June  y®  2d  1794 — 


[7-262]  \_Relative  to  Repi'ese^itative^  iyg4.~\ 

To  His  Excellency  the  Governer  the  Honorable  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire  to 
be  Convened  at  Amherst  on  the  first  wednsday  of  June  next — 

Humbly  Sheweth  your  Petitinors  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Packersfield  have  for  Some  Years  past  been  Classed  with  the 
Town  of  Dublin  for  Representation  that  Said  Dublin  have  now 
Come  of  age  and  Send  a Representative  for  them  Selves  by 
w'hich  means  your  Petitinors  not  having  a Sufficient  Number 
paying  a pole  Tax  for  them  Selves  are  left  Unrepresented — 

43 


642 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Therefore  Pray  your  Honors  to  take  our  Case  into  your  wise 
Consideration  and  grant  us  releafe  in  the  Premises  Either  by 
Classing  or  Granting  us  leave  to  Send  a Representative  by  our 
Selves  and  your  Petitinors  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 
&c — 


Sam^  Griffin  | Select  Men 
Amos  Child  ) of  Packersfield 


Packersfield  June  y®  2^  ^794 — 


NEW  BOSTON 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  government  of  the 
Massachusetts  bay,  March  20,  1735,  O.  S.,  to  John  Simpson 
and  others,  who  were  soldiers,  or  heirs  of  soldiers,  engaged 
in  the  Canada  expedition  of  1690. 

An  arrangement  was  made  December  24,  1752,  whereby 
the  Masonian  proprietors  relinquished  their  claim  on  the 
territory,  including  a large  tract  in  addition  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts grant,  which  addition  was  incorporated  with  Fran- 
cestown  in  1772. 

New  Boston  was  incorporated  with  town  privileges  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1763,  and  Col.  John  Goffe,  of  Bedford,  authorized 
to  call  the  first  meeting. 

June  18,  1836,  the  farm  of  Isaac  Parker,  situated  in  the 
north-east  corner,  was  severed  from  this  town  and  annexed 
to  Goffstown. 

Some  of  the  grantees  and  settlers  were  from  Boston, 
Mass.,  and  named  this  town  in  memory  of  their  former 
home. 

The  men  in  the  First  N.  H.  Regt.,  in  the  Revolution,, 
from  this  town  were  John  Jordon,  Thomas  McNeil,  Benja- 
min Stone,  and  a negro  named  Peter  Brewer  : the  latter 
died  in  the  service. 


[R.  3-9]  \^yohn  Bui'ns^  Soldier^  iy6o.~\ 

The  memorial  of  John  Burn  of  a Plantation  called  New-Bos- 
ton  in  the  Province  of  New-Hampshire  : Humbly  Sheweth  that 
I was  an  Inlisted  Soldier  in  the  Hampshire  Regiment  for  the 


NEW  BOSTON.  643 

last  Campaign — viz  in  the  year  1759,  under  the  special  com- 
mand of  Cap*  Nehemiah  Lovewell.  * * * 

New  Boston  March  y®  21®*  1760.  i,u 

John  X Burn 

mark 

[He  further  stated  that  he  was  with  the  army  at  Ticon- 
deroga  and  “ Chenecdada,”  where  he  was  taken  sick.  Lieut. 
Ebenezer  Lyon,  of  Amherst,  and  John  Harvell,  of  Litch- 
field, certified  to  being  in  the  same  regiment,  and  that  the 
statement  of  Burns  was  true.  He  was  allowed  £y-io 
sterling. — Ed.] 


[7-116]  \^House  burned^  77yd.] 

The  deposition  of  James  Hunter,  of  a place  Called  new  Bos- 
ton in  the  province  of  new  hampshire  who  testifieth  and  saith 
that  in  the  month  of  march  1756  my  hous  in  new  Boston  afor- 
said  was  by  acedant  Burned  and  all  therin  destroyed  so  that 
nothing  was  left  that  the  flams  Could  Consume  and  in  it  was 
Consumed  Eghteen  pounds  old  tener  of  the  bills  of  Cridet  of 
this  province  which  I had  in  the  hous  and  as  I am  Informed  the 
Court  make  all  such  good  again  and  further  saith  not 

James  Hunter 

[Sworn  to  before  Robert  Boyes,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
He  was  allowed  ^4-10  “out  of  the  money  in  the  treasury 
to  be  burnt.” — Ed.] 


[7-1 17]  \^Petitlo7i  fo7'  a7i  Inco7'po7'atio7i^  iy6o.~\ 

To  His  Exelency  Bening  Wentwoth  Govener  in  chief  in  and 
over  his  Majesties  Province  of  New-Hampshire  & To  the 
Honourable  Plis  Majesties  Councill 

The  Memorial  of  Thomas  Cochran  and  others  humbly  Shew- 
eth  That  Some  Time  before  the  War  began  about  the  Year 
forty  Three  a few  famelies  began  to  Settle  upon  a Tract  of 
Land  called  New-Boston  which  Tract  of  Land  was  formerly 
Granted  by  the  General  Court  of  the  Massechusets  Bay  to  a 
party  of  Soldiers  Belonging  to  the  Canada  Expedition  formerly 
as  a Reward  in  part  for  their  good  Service  ; which  Tract  of 
Land  is  Bounded  Easterly  upon  Bedford  and  a Tract  of  Land 
called  Gofl's  Town  Notherly  upon  a Tract  of  Land  called  Hales 
Town  Westerly  upon  a Slip  of  Land  granted  to  said  Proprie- 


644 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


tors  by  the  Purcliasers  of  Masons  Patent  As  also  upon  a Tract 
of  Land  formerly  called  Salem-Canada  Latly  Lindburrough 
Southerly  upon  a Tract  of  Land  called  Soughegan  West  The 
Contents  of  which  is  about  Six  Mild  Square  as  will  appear  by 
the  Plan.  And  altho’  those  few  families  that  Settled  before  the 
War  Commenced  ; Descerted  the  Settlements  in  the  Time  of 
the  War,  yet  as  Soon  as  the  War  concluded,  immediately  took 
possession  and  have  made  Considerable  Improvement.  Since 
which  many  More  families  have  Settled  upon  the  Same  Tract 
of  Land  to  the  Number  of  Twenty  families  or  upward — And  as 
we  are  all  of  the  Presbeterian  Constetution,  So  we  are  Solicitous 
to  Settle  a Minister  of  our  own  Constetution,  that  we  may  quietly 
enjoy  Christain  Privileges,  and  we  think  an  Incorporation  tends 
greatly  to  promote  the  Same  as  well  as  to  Advance  the  Settle- 
ment of  the  Town,  and  many  other  Advantages  Consaquent 
upon  it  too  Numerous  to  be  incerted  ; So  with  the  lowest  Sub- 
mission we  beg  leave  to  address  your  Excellency  & Honours 
for  a Charter  of  our  Township  according  to  the  Contents  above 
Specified  and  doubt  not  but  that  in  your  great  Wisdom  & Clem- 
ency will  answer  our  reasonable  Request.  And  So  your 
Memorialist  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray 

New-Boston  Jun®  ib**'  1760 

thomas  Cochran  Abraham  Cochran 
Nathanel  Cochran  peter  Cochran 
John  M®Laughlen  Hugh  Blaeir 
Alexander  M®Colom  Henry  Person 
Daniel  M®Murphy  William  Gray 
James  Hunter  James  Cochran 

thomas  Willson  John  Cochran 

[The  plan  referred  to  is  very  simple.  The  town  was 
incorporated  by  the  governor  and  council  Feb.  18,  1763. — 
Ed.] 


Will : M®Neil 
John  Blair 
John  macallester 
James  ferson 
Robert  white 


[7-1 19]  \^Relative  to  Boundary  Lines.~\ 

The  deposition  of  James  Ferson  of  full  age  testifieth  and 
Saith.  that  he  was  one  of  the  Chainmen  in  measuring  New 
Boston  along  with  m*'  Sheepherd  and  we  Gave  no  alowance  for 
up  hill  nor  down  hill  nor  Swage  of  Chain  nor  fallen  Logs  nor 
Crook  of  Chain  and  further  Saith  not 

Jams  ferson 

[Sworn  before  Robert  Boyes,  Justice  of  the  Peace.] 


NEW  BOSTON.  645 

[7-120]  \_Relative  to  the  Petition  for  an  Incorporation^ 

1761.^ 

To  his  Exelencv  Bening  wintworth  Esq*"  Governor  and  Co- 
mander  in  Chife  in  and  over  his  maj‘  province  of  new  hamp- 
shire  and  to  his  maj‘®  Counsel  of  said  province. — 

The  humble  petition  of  pairt  of  the  Inhabetanc  of  that  tract  of 
Land  Called  new  boston  in  the  province  of  new  hampshire  most 
Humbly  sheweth 

that  your  Pettitioners  are  Informed  that  pairt  of  the  Inhabe- 
tonce  of  this  setelment  hath  petitioned  your  Exelance  and  HoiP® 
to  Incorprait  pairt  of  this  settelment  shutting  out  pairt  of  our 
Inhabetance  and  Land  in  order  to  draw  the  mitting  near  them- 
selves and  to  draw  the  mitting  hous  from  other  pairt  of  the  In- 
habetance and  hath  sent  down  the  said  petition  without  aquant- 
ing  a grait  pairt  of  the  Inhabtance,  and  many  that  signed  said 
petition  understood  that  the  whol  of  the  Land  and  Inhabtance 
was  in  said  petition 

may  it  therfor  pleas  your  Excelanc  and  Honors,  not  to  seprat 
our  settelment  if  it  should  pleas  you  to  Incorprat  our  settelment 
but  keep  it  together  that  so  wee  may  be  able  to  plant  the  Gos- 
pel among  us  and  not  for  any  party  whatsoever  to  sepreat  and 
brak  us  to  peaces  and  your  Petetitoners  as  in  Duty  bound  shal 
Ever  pray  deatted  at  new  boston  this  fourth  day  of  feberuary 
1761 


Hugh  Gregg 
James  ferson 

his 

Gewet  X Rowan 

maik 

William  Blair 

his 

John  X Blair 

mark 


Will  : APNeill 
Henry  Ferson 
John  Smith 
Andrew  Walker 
thomas  Smith 
Samuel  Smith 
Willim  Gray 


John  Carson 
John  Brown 
tomes  Brown 
Samuel  Nickels 


[7-1 21]  \_ReIative  to  locating  a JMeeting-House^  //dy.] 
Province  of  New  hampshire 

To  his  Exelency  Benin  Wentworth  Esq*"  Governor  And  Co- 
mander  In  Cheif  In  and  over  His  Majesties  Province  of  New- 
hampshier  And  to  The  Honourable  His  Majesties  Council 
and  house  of  Representatives  In  General  Assembly  Con- 
vend — 

The  Humble  Pettition  of  the  Propretors  Freeholders  And 
Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New  boston  In  Said  Province  Most 
Humbly  Sheweth — 


646 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  The  Proprietors  of  the  said  Newboston  At  their  Metting 
September  The  Fourteenth  1762  Chose  three  Men  to  Choice  A 
Proper  Place  to  Build  A Meeting  House  Upon  In  Said  town 
And  upon  the  fourteenth  Day  of  July  1763  the  Said  Men  Mett 
At  Newboston  Aforesaid  And  After  Some  time  Spent  gave  In 
their  Judgment  that  A Place  Upon  the  lot  No  79  Near  the 
South  End  of  Said  lot  was  A Proper  Place  to  Build  a Meeting 
House  for  Said  town  Which  Judgment  was  And  Is  wrong  For 
it  Is  only  to  Serve  one  Part  of  the  town  Not  The  whole  Not- 
withstanding the  government  had  InCorperated  the  wliole  of  the 
town  yet  they  Laid  Aside  Part  of  the  town  to  the  Amount  of 
Six  or  Seven  thousand  Acres  of  As  good  Land  As  the  other 
Part  of  the  town  And  Allowed  that  No  Priveledges  of  the  Meet- 
ing house  So  that  Some  Part  of  the  town  will  Bee  Above  five 
Miles  from  The  meeting  House  And  Did  Not  give  the  Rest  that 
Remained  A Just  Center  Paid  No  Regard  to  the  Town  As  In- 
corporated By  the  Government  But  made  A town  As  they 
thought  fitt  themselves  which  Judgment  was  Accepted  At  A 
Proprietors  Meeting  And  A meeting  House  Raised  According- 
ly which  will  Brake  the  town  to  Pieces  if  Not  quickly  Reme- 
dyed  And  Greatly  Hinder  the  Gosples  Seteling  there  And  So 
Prove  fatal  to  the  Peace  of  the  town  Therefore  wee  Pray  Your 
Exelency  And  Honours  To  Take  our  Distresed  Case  Into  Con- 
sideration And  Grant  Such  Relief  to  Your  Petitioners  As  Your 
Exelency  And  Honours  As  You  In  your  Great  wisdom  Shall 
think  Proper  And  your  Petisioners  As  In  Duty  Bound  Shall 
Ever  Pray 

Newboston  November  the  6*’^  1765 


Will : M'^Neill 
Hugh  Gregg 
John  Blair 
James  Person 
John  Smith 
Samuel  Smith 
William  Blair 
william  Boves 
Paul  Person 


James  Gregg  Reuben  Smith 

James  Gregg  Junior  Robert  Boyes 


Henery  ferson 
William  Clark 
Jesse  Cristy 
Thomas  Brown 
John  Livingstone 
John  Brown 
Robert  Hogg 


Andrew  Walkar 
RoU  Clark 
William  White 
William  white  Junior 
Joseph  Boyes 


[The  foregoing  petition  was  dismissed. — Ed.] 


I 


[7-122]  \_Relative  to  Muilsterial  Lot^  iy68J\ 

At  A Leagal  meeting  of  the  freeholders  of  the  Town  of  New- 
boston held  by  Ajournment  On  the  third  day  of  December 
1767 


ET 


NEW  BOSTON. 


647 


Voted  that  the  Lott  N®  61,  Drawed  in  said  Town  for  the  first 
•Ordained  Minister  of  the  Gospell  that  Shall  be  Settled  in  S*^ 
Town,  be  Exchanged  for  the  Lott  N®  53  that  was  Drawed  for 
the  Benefit  of  the  School  in  Said  Town  & that  S‘‘  Lott  N®  53  be 
for  s'^  minister  & that  S‘^  Lott  N®  61  be  for  Said  School  for  to 
Continue  for  Ever  hearafter 
Newboston  March  1768] 

A Coppy  Attest  p*"  William  Clark  Town  Clerk 


<.[7-1 23[  \_Relative  to  the  formation  of  Counties^  //dp.] 


To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq.  Captain,  General, 
Governor,  and  Commander,  in  Chief,  in  and  Over  his  Maj- 
esty’s, Province  of  New  Hampshire,  &c,  the  Honourable  his 
Majesty’s  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives,  in  General 
Assembly  Convened — 


The  Petition  of  the  subscribers.  Inhabitants  in  New-Boston 
in  said  Province,  Most  Humbly  sheweth — That  your  Petition- 
-ers  are  informed,  that  the  Province  is  About  to  be  Divided  into 
Countys,  for  the  ease  and  benefit  of  the  Inhabitants,  in  General, 
in  transacting  their  business  of  a Public  nature,  and  being  also 
informed  that  the  General  Assembly  have  Voted  a small  Coun- 
ty to  be  set  ofi',  Extending  from  the  westerly  line  of  Peter- 
borough, to  the  easterly  line  of  Litchfield,  thinly  Inhabited,  and 
not  Capable  to  Receive  many  more,  and  we  Humbly  Ofier  our 
Opinion,  that  the  Necesary  Expence  of  said  County  will  Over 
Balance  the  advantages,  and  the  profits,  of  the  Publick  Offices, 
be  so  trifling,  that,  no  Gent®  Equal  to  said  Offices  will  under- 
take— 

Therefor  your  Petitioners  pray,  the  Towns  of  Bow,  Cliester, 
Londonderry,  Pelham,  Plasto,  salem,  Hamstead,  and  sandown, 
which  Conveniently  situated,  may  be  Annexed  to  said  County, 
and  your  Petitioners,  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  ever  pray  &c. 

April,  3^,  AD  1769. 


Daniel  m®millan 
Will : M®Neill 
James  Person 
Thomas  Willson 
John  M®millan 
Plendry  Ferson 
John  NPallester 
Samuel  nichols 
Paul  Ferson 
James  Ferson  Jur 


Will'”  Clark 
Thomas  Cochran 
John  Burns 
James  Cochran 
George  Cristy 
John  Cochran 
Peter  Cochran 
John  m®millan  JuiP 
William  Kelcy 
Will*"  M®neil  Jur 


John  Smith 
Davied  Wilson 
WilP'  Dickey 
John  Blair 
Will”'  Blair 
Robert  Livingston 
Will*”  Livingston 
Robert  Livingston 
Jur 

Alex'"  Gregg  Ju'" 


648 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Abraham  Cochran 
James  Hunter 
Solomon  MoorvDm 
James  Caldwell 
Robert  white 
Natheniel  Cochran 
David  Henderson 
John  Cochran  Jun’’ 
James  Cochran  Jun*' 


Ananias  m^allaster 
Daniel  m'^Allaster 
Robert  Patterson 
Robert  Boyd 
Tho®  m'^Colom 
James  Gregg 
John  mclaughlan 
John  mclaughlan  Ju'' 
Reuben  Smith 


John  Gregg 
Nenian  Clark 
Will*"  Boyes 
Samuel  Smith 
John  Livingston 
Thomas  Cochran  Jur 
Josiah  Hitching 
Josiah  Warren 
Thomas  Warren 


[7—124]  S^Pe^tition  for  the  Ptcorporation  of  a new  PowUy 

^77 1 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  his  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Cap*  General  and 
Governor  in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majesteys  Provence  of 
New  Hampshire  And  to  the  Honorable  his  Majestys  Coun- 
cil and  House  of  Representatives  and  General  Court  Assem- 
bled— 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Humbly  sheweth  that 
Whereas  the  Township  of  New  Boston  in  said  Province  of 
New  Hampshire  and  County  of  Hills  Borrough  Lawing  in 
Shuch  A form  And  Manner  that  it  Verv  Much  Discomodes  the 
Settlers  More  Especialy  those  in  the  New  Addition  of  said 
Township  the  Meeting  House  in  the  Town  being  in  the  Center 
of  the  Old  Town  Cutts  of  the  New  Addition  from  Any  Con- 
venient Communication,  with  the  Old  Towm  And  Where  as 
there  are  a Number  of  Men  Settled  and  About  to  Settle  On 
that  Part  of  the  Society  Land  Called  the  Wallingsfords  Right 
and  Others,  who  are  far  Distant  from  Aney  Town  Preveledges 
with  Respect  to  the  Gospell  or  with  Respect  to  Roads  as  there 
are  two  Roads  through  said  Land  One  Leading  from  Amherst 
to  hills  Borrough  And  the  Other  to  Betters  Borrough  by  which 
the  Inhabeters  of  said  towns  Are  Sufferers  and  as  the  Inhabe- 
ters  of  the  Society  Land  is  Onder  No  Town  Goverment,  We 
your  Petitioners  Humbly  Desire  Your  Excelency  and  Honnors 
to  form  that  part  of  New  Boston  Called  the  New  Addition  and 
part  of  the  Society  Land  Into  a Towmship  Agreeable  to  the 
Plan  herewith  Exebeted  Or  Larger  if  Your  Excelency,  and 
Honours  thinks  Proper  Not  Exceeding  Six  Miles  Square  Or 
Equal  thereto  your  Excelency  and  Honours  Complyance  here- 
with Will  Very  Much  Serve  the  Interest  of  your  Petisioners- 
More  Especialy  the  Settlers  within  the  Lemits  of  said  Plan  and 
Not  Disserve  An}'  One  and  Your  Humble  Petisioners  as  im 
Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 

New  Boston  July  the  22^  1771 — 


NEW  BOSTON. 


649 


Tho*  Brown 
Tho®  Qj-iigley 
Sam*^  Nickles 
Sam^^  Nutt 
David  Lewis 
Nathan  fisher 
John  Brown 
John  Dickey 
Addam  Dickey 
Isaac  Lewis 
John  Qiiigley 
James  Dickey 
Arron  Lewis 


Will'"  Sterret 
Will'"  Dickey 
Will'"  Lee 
Will"'  M^'Master 
Will'"  Qiiiglcy 
Will'"  Butterfield 
Sam^  Butterfield 
Rob‘  Hopkin 
Daniel  Bigsby 
James  Hopkens 
Will"'  Holms 
Olever  Holmes 
Zachariah  White 


John  Hall 
Daniel  Hall 
Sam^  Hall 
Alex'"  Parker 
Isaac  Butterfield 
Sam^  Marten 
Mosses  Lewes 
Henery  M^ferson 
John  Hopkens 
Rob‘  Alexander 
John  Carson 
Rob‘  Wier 
Sam^  fisher 


[The  portion  of  this  town  called  New  Boston  Addition 
and  a portion  of  Society  Land  were  combined  and  incorpo- 
rated into  the  town  of  Francestown,  June  8,  1772. — Ed,] 


[7-125]  \_State?ne?zt  from  the  Coznmittees  of  Safety  of  Neixr 
JSoston^  Weare^  and  Francestowzi^  ^775*] 

To  the  Honorable  the  Provincial  Congress,  Council  of  War  or 

Committee  of  Safety  sitting  at  Exeter  in  and  for  the  Province 

of  New  Hampshire.  Gentlemen — 

We  the  Subscribers  beinof  Committees  of  Safetv  for  our  re- 
spective  Towns  think  it  our  indispensable  Duty  to  remonstrate 
to  You  Gentl"  as  the  Guardians  of  our  Province  the  malan- 
cholly  and  unhappy  Scituation  of  our  County  by  Reason  of  a 
Number  of  Disorderly  Persons  who  laying  aside  all  Reason 
and  Rules  prescribed  by  You  Gentle'"  and  the  Wisdom  of  the 
Continent,  have  set  them-selves  as  it  were  in  Battle  Array 
against  all  Order  ; and  pursue  with  hasty  steps  the  very  Road 
to  Confusion  and  Eftusion  of  Blood  therefore  from  such  un- 
natural Behaviour  fearing  the  worst  of  Consequences  if  not 
speedily  prevented  and  conscious  that  we  have  done  every  thing 
in  our  Power  hitherto  w ithin  our  proper  spheres  of  Action  to 
prevent  a Consequence  so  horrible  in  its  Nature  and  so  utterly 
subversive  of  Peace  and  Unitv  and  seeing^  the  dreadful  Eve  of 
domestick  War  now  blackening  over  our  Heads  we  now  avail 
our-selves  of  the  last  Efibrt  in  applying  to  You  Gentl"  in  whom 
this  Province  has  reposed  so  much  Confidence,  humbly  be- 
seeching You  in  your  great  Wisdom  to  point  out  Some  more 
effectual  Method  than  has  heretofore  been  taken,  that  all  Per- 
sons who  have  been  fairly  and  impartially  examined  and  Justly 
and  honourably  acquitted  of  the  odious  Names  Tories  and 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


•650 


Enemies  to  their  Country  may  rest  in  Peace  for  the  future  and 
have  an  Opportunity  by  their  future  good  Behavior  to  prove  to 
the  World  what  Malice  itself  must  acknowledge  and  applaud 
and  unless  some  such  Method  be  Speedily  taken  (in  our  opin- 
ions) our  County  will  soon  discover  that  Committees  of  Safety 
are  but  Empty  Names  and  the  last  Distress  of  Nations  our  only 
Asylum  and  Place  of  Resort  If  the  Above  Remonstrances 
should  appear  to  you  Gentl"  Reasonable  and  worthy  of  Notice 
Your  Compliance  therewith  will  conferr  very  great  obligations 
on  GenP  Your  most  obed‘  h'^®  Serv‘® 


New  Boston  July  18  i775 

Charls  mellen  ^ 


John  Dickey  . ^ ...  r o r ^ 

s-  t:'-  1 Committee  or  Safety 

ames  hisher  ^ r t-  ^ 

^ * tor  h ranees  iown 


Committee  for  New  Boston 


William  m®master 
Thos  M®Laughlen  J 

James  m®Farson 
William  moor 
Daniel  m®allester 

William  Dustan 

Timothy  worthly  | ^ r wr 

1 * > Committee  tor  Weare 
Ebenezer  Bayley  / 

Sam  Philbrick  J 


[7-126]  [ Concerning  Dr,  Jonathan  Gove^  ^777»~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire — Hillsborough  ss 

To  the  Hon'^’®  the  Council  and  house  of  Representatives  for  the 

state  aforesaid — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth  that 
whereas  D‘‘  Jonathan  Gove  of  Newboston  of  the  State  and 
County  afores*^  is  Now  and  for  better  than  three  Months  last 
past  has  been  a Prisoner  Closely  Confined  by  your  Honors  we 
understand  for  being  inimical  to  the  American  Cause  and  for 
Contriving  and  Plotting  the  Distruction  of  this  and  the  other 
united  States  and  assisting  the  Enemies  thereof.  We  beg  leave 
to  assure  Your  Honors  that  we  have  had  an  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  him  the  s*^  D*"  Gove  for  years  before  the  Commence- 
ment of  this  unhappy  and  unnatural  War,  and  what  his 
thoughts  have  been  Respecting  the  same  we  Humbly  submit 
to  God  alone  the  only  Searcher  of  Hearts  and  tryer  of  the 
Reigns  of  the  Children  of  Men,  but  as  to  his  Conduct  he  has 
been  above  his  full  Proportion  in  every  Respect  towards  Main- 
taining and  supporting  both  the  civil  and  Military  Goverment 


NEW  BOSTON. 


651 


of  this  State  and  that  the  Town  is  Now  Considerably  indebted 
to  him  for  what  he  has  paid  over  and  above  his  Proportion  for 
the  support  and  maintainance  of  the  Present  War,  we  wish  Not 
to  Clear  the  Guilty,  or  to  bernish  Crimes  but  beg  leave  to  say 
that  we  do  not  nor  ever  did  Conceive  of  him  as  A Dangerous 
Man  to  the  state  but  (quite  the  Contrary)  A good  generous  and 
Peaceable  subject  of  Society,  and  faithful  and  succesful  in  his 
Imployment  as  A Physician  verey  tender  of  all  Commited  to 
his  Care  the  want  of  whose  assistance  we  verey  tenderly  feal 
in  times  of  Sickness  having  scarcely  anywhere  else  to  go  for 
Releif,  Not  having  Physician  that  we  Can  Depend  upon 
within  twenty  Miles  of  us  and  knowing  No  Evil  of  him  and 
being  intimately  aquainted  with  him  beg  Leave  to  intreat  of 
your  Honours  that  he  may  be  liberated,  and  be  Relieved  from 
the  Pains  of  Imprisonment  and  Restored  to  his  Distressed 
Family  and  Friends  again  we  fully  Conclude  that  your  Hon- 
ours have  No  Persanal  knowledge  of  him  and  that  your  Opin- 
ions must  be  founded  upon  the  Evidence  of  others  and  we  Can 
Conceive  of  No  persons  so  likely  to  Evidence  for  or  against 
him  with  Justice  and  truth  as  those  who  have  had  a long  and 
intimate  Acquaintance  with  him  we  have  great  Reason  to 
belive  that  his  Present  Misfortunes  have  Reather  arisen  from 
Prejudice  than  from  any  good  his  accusers  wish  to  do  to  the 
State  or  united  States  we  only  wish  him  Justice  and  Can’t  but 
think  he  has  been  wrongfully  accused  and  Much  injured.  We 
fully  Rely  on  your  Honors  Humanity  and  Desire  of  Doing 
Justice  according  to  your  Evidence  and  are  fully  persuaded 
that  your  Honors  wish  Not  to  punish  the  Innocent  any  More 
than  to  Clear  the  Guilty  and  that  Your  Honors  Judgment  will 
be  swayed  by  that  Evidence  wliich  is  of  the  best  kind,  and 
humbly  Conceave  that  no  Persons  Can  be  better  acquainted 
with  the  General  tenor  of  any  Mans  Conduct  than  those  who 
have  had  a long  and  familiar  acquaintance  with  him  therefore 
we  beg  leave  to  Repeat  that  we  do  and  Ever  have  Considered 
Him  as  a good  Generous  and  Peaceable  Member  of  Society, 
and  that  his  behaviour  has  been  such  as  Can  and  ougfht  to  be 

o 

Justified  Therefore  we  your  Petitioners  Earnestlv  pray  that  he 
May  again  have  his  Liberty  and  that  he  may  be  again  a Benefit 
to  and  Receive  benefit  from  Society  in  general  and  those  of  his 
Friends  and  Family  more  particularly  and  we  your  Petitioners 
as  in  Duty  bound  will  Ever  Pray 

New  Boston  August  25*’^  ^777 


James  m'^Ferson 
Robart  Willson 
James  Willson 
John  Willson 


Gorge  Cristey 
Jesse  Cristey 
David  Stinson 
Thomas  Cochran 


Alexander  Patterson 
John  Cochran 
Thomas  Karr  Ju*" 
James  m'^Ferson 


652 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  McIntosh 
Samuel  Petterson 
Robert  white 
Andrew"  white 
Daniel  m'^Allester 
William  Kelso 
Reuben  Smith 


Allan  Moore 
Peter  Cochran 
William  moor 
William  Campbell 
John  Donovan 
Barnebes  Meginis 
Alexander  Kelso 


Paul  nPFerson 
John  Gordan 
Robert  Patterson 
N"  Clark 
Tobias  Butler 
David  Gregg 


[R.  3-12]  [>/^  n Hunter^  wounded  at  Bu7iker 

To  the  Hon^’®  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for  the 

Colony  of  New  Hamp*" — 

Humbly  shews  John  Hunter  of  New  Boston  in  said  Colony 
that  your  Petitioner  was  so  unhappy  on  the  thirteenth  Day  of 
January  Last  in  the  Evening — as  to  drop  his  Pocket  book  at 
his  fathers  door  which  he  found  the  Next  morning:  in  which 
was  to  the  Amount  of  fifteen  Dollars  and  an  half  wdrich  w"as  so 
tore  by  the  swdne  at  y®  door  as  to  Render  it  Qiiite  unservicable 
which  was  all  the  money  he  was  then  possess’d  of  and  which 
w^as  his  waiges  he  had  Receiv’d  for  his’  pay  as  a Soldier  in  the 
Colony  service,  in  CoP  Starks  Regiment  in  which  service  he 
w'as  w'ounded  in  the  Battle  at  Bunkers  Hill — Wherefore  your 
Petitioner  prays  your  honors  w"ou’d  be  pleased  to  order  the 
treasurer  to  Exchange  his  torn  bills  or  Grant  him  Relief  in  any 
w'ay  Your  Honors  shall  think  Proper,  and  your  Petitioner  as 
in  Duty  Bound  shall  Ever  Pray 

his 

John  X hunter 

mark 

June  y®  7^*'  ^77^ — 

test — Sam^  Gilman  jr — 

[His  claim  was  allowed. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-14]  \^Rhode  Island  Soldiers^  iyj8I\ 

New  Boston  October  y®  7 AD  i779 

Acording  to  the  Orders  Received  From  Coll.  Daniel  Moor 
Dated  August  5^^  ^77^  directed  to  Cap*  William  Boyes  in  said 
New  Boston  Wherein  order  w^as  Given  to  the  Select  Men  of 
said  towm  to  pay  ten  Pounds  Law'ful  Money  to  Each  man  that 
would  go  to  Rhodisaland  as  a Volenteer  Soldier  as  a Bounty 
and  that  it  Should  Be  alow-ed  to  the  towm  as  part  of  our  State 
tax  and  w"e  the  Select  men  of  said  towm  has  payed  ten  Pounds 
Lawful  money  to  Each  man  that  went  to  Rhodisland  whose 


NEW  BOSTON. 


653 


Names  folows  Viz  Cap‘  William  Boyes,  Robert  Petterson, 
Robert  Waugh,  Josiah  Hichings,  Archibald  M'^Alester,  John 
M^'Alester,  Elipblet  Duston,  James  Willson,  Samuel  Caldwell 
Ruben  Gregg,  John  M^^Millin  Jur,  Elisha  Dodge,  William 
Waugh,  James  M'^Ferson,  John  Cochran,  James  Waugh  Reu- 
ben Smith,  John  McMillan,  Robert  Willson  William  Living- 
ston. 

P.  S.  Said  money  we  Received  From  Alexander  Willson 
Constable  for  the  year  1778 

Robert  Campbell  \ 

Robert  Patterson  > Select  Men 
Nehemiah  Dodge  j 


[R.  3-15]  \^Robertson  and  McMillan^  uooimded  at  Blinker 

Hill.'] 


[Petition  of  Peter  Robertson  and  Archibald  M'^Millan  ad- 
dressed to  the  General  Assembly.] 

Humbly  Shews 

That  your  Petitioners,  were  both  wounded  at  the  Battle  of 
Bunker  hill,  and  in  Consideration  of  that  Miss  fortune  a former 
assembly  of  this  State  granted  the  Pention  of  20/  per  month 
each  which  was  then  some  help  in  Suporting  their  Familys, 
but  by  the  great  Depreciation  which  the  paper  Circulation  has 
Suffered  it  has  now  become  of  but  Little  Service — 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  most  Humbly  pray  that  your 
Honers  will  take  their  Case  into  your  benevolent  Consideration 
and  Augment  their  allowances  so  as  in  some  measure  to  relieve 
them  in  their  Pressing  necessitys — and  Your  Petitioners  as  in 
Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray — 

Peter  Robertson 
Archabarl  m'^melin 

Dated  at  Amherst  March  P 1780 — 

Ordered  to  lay 


[R.  3-16]  \^yonatIian  Margery^  'ivonnded  at  Saratoga.~\ 

[Petition  of  Jonathan  Margery  addressed  to  the  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives.] 

Sheweth — 

That  at  the  commencement  of  the  War,  he  voluntarily  en- 
listed into  the  service  of  the  State,  in  the  Regiment  commanded 
by  Coll  Starks,  and  afterw'ards  in  that  commanded  by  Coll 
Hale;  in  which  he  served  untill  the  35*^  day  of  July  1777; 


654 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


when  in  an  Action  near  Saratoga  he  received  a Ball  in  his  Hip, 
which  has  not  yet  been  extracted  : That  his  enlistment  was  dur- 
ing the  War,  and  he  being  unable  to  perform  duty  in  a march- 
ing Regiment,  he  returned  home,  since  which,  by  order  of  the 
Honorable  Committee  of  Safety,  he  has  done  duty,  as  an  Inva- 
lid, at  Port  Washington,  Piscatiqua-Harbour ; during  all  of 
which  time,  he  has  been  an  obedient,  diligent  and  faithfull 
Soldier. 

That  he  has  a small  Farm  in  New-Boston  in  this  State  partly 
improved,  on  which  he  could  make  a comfortable  living  for 
himself,  and  his  Family,  should  the  honorable  Court  be  pleased 
to  grant  him  a discharge  from  the  Service  ; his  pay  as  a Sol- 
dier, has  been  so  small,  and  not  received  for  so  many  months 
past,  that  his  Family  has  suffered  greatly  ; That  his  House,  and 
small  improvements  on  his  little  place,  are  all  going  to  ruin, 
for  want  of  his  care  and  Labour;  and  his  destitute  Family  in  a 
short  time  must  become  a much  greater  burden,  and  expence 
to  the  community  then  his  poor  services  as  an  Invalid-Soldier 
can  possibel)^  repay. 

He  therefore  most  humbly  and  earnestly  intreats  your  Hon- 
ors to  take  his  Case  into  consideration  and  grant  him  a dis- 
charge from  the  Service  ; and  your  humble  Petitioner  as  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

Jonathan  margerrey 

Fort  Washington  Dec''  31®^  1781 


[R.  3-17]  \_Relative  to  Johnston  Smith.,  iy82.'\ 

This  is  to  Certifey  to  all  to  Whom  it  May  Consarn  that 
Johnston  Smith  formerly  a Soldier  Belonging  to  Newboston 
being  for  Sum  time  Desserted  is  now  Given  him  self  up  and 
Returning  to  his  Duttey  Sined  by  us 

James  willson  \ 

James  Caldwell  > Select  Men 
Jesse  Cristey  j 

Newboston,  June  the  1782 


[R.  3-18,  19.] 

[Samuel  Boyd  stated  that  he  was  in  the  service  of  this 
state  from  New  Boston  ; that  when  he  left  the  service  there 
was  £22  his  due,  which  had  been  drawn  by  one  Robert 
Jones,  on  a forged  order.  The  amount  was  allowed  him. — 
Ed.] 


NEW  BOSTON. 


655 


% 


[7-127]  \_Return  of  Ratable  Polls, 

New  Boston  Dec*'  2 AD  17S3 

Asfreable  to  the  Desire  of  the  General  Court  we  have  taken 
the  Number  of  Polls  Above  twenty  one  years  of  age  and  it  is 
as  folows  Viz  one  hundred  and  fifty  two  Certifyed  by  us 

Janies  Caldwell  \ 

Josiah  Warren  V Select  men 
Jesse  Cristy  ) 


[7-128]  [ Conce7'7ii77g  Dr.  Gove  a7?d  Silas  Hedges,  1^861^ 
State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  hon*’^®  the  General  Court  for  said  State  humbly  shew 

That  whereas  D*"  JoiP  Gove  of  New- Boston  was  convicted 
of  passing  Counterfiet  Money  knowing  the  same  to  be  such 
(on  or  about  the  JMonth  of  Ocfi  177S)  and  was  then  Sentenced 
to  pav  a heavy  Fine — cost  of  Court  and  sufi'er  Imprisonment 
&c  which  Sentence  was  duly  executed,  altho’  we  fully  believe 
that  that  Conviction  could  never  have  happened  had  it  not  been 
for  the  Testimony  of  one  Silas  Hedges  a most  atrocious  villian 
who  (we  reasonably  suppose)  to  escape  deserved  Justice  him- 
self was  induced  by  perjurv  and  falsehood  to  saddle  another 
with  that  Disgrace  and  punishment  which  he  himself  had  most 
amply  merited,  we  beg  Leave  to  say  that  had  his  Character 
then  been  fully  known  his  Evidence  could  not  have  had  the 
least  weight  either  with  Court  or  Jury,  and  as  the  Constitution 
of  this  State  expreslv  declares  that  every  person  has  a Right  to 
have  Recourse  to  the  Laws  for  Injuries  that  he  has  sufiered — 
and  said  Gove  has  petitioned  the  General-Court  for  a rehearing 
upon  that  Conviction  or  upon  his  proving  the  perjury  of  the 
Evidence  upon  which  He  was  convicted  that  his  Sentence  may 
be  reversed  and  made  void — We  humbly  conceive  it  to  be  a 
most  Reasonable  Request,  and  earnestly  wish  that  the  prayer 
thereof  may  be  granted,  for  We  fully  believe  that  excepting  the 
IMatter  of  that  Conviction — his  Character  ever  has  been  and 
still  is  good — and  that  in  his  practice  (which  by  no  Means  has 
been  small)  he  has  ever  dealt  faithfully  and  impartially  always 
endeavoring  as  much  as  in  Him  Lay  to  afibrd  Relief  to  Rich 
and  poor  Friend  and  foe  without  Distinction  wherefore  we 
earnestly  pray  that  your  honors  would  take  his  Case  into  your 
most  serious  Consideration  and  grant  him  his  Request — and 
your  petitioners  Subjects  of  said  State  as  in  Duty  bound  will 
pray— 

may  25  1786 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


656 

Robert  m^Calley  Ananias  M'^Allester  George  Cristy 
John  Johnston  Daniel  INPAlester  J*"  Rob‘  White 

Moses  Butterfield  Joseph  M'^Allester  Robert  White  Jur 
Samuel  Stickney  Samuel  Bradford  W"’  Kelso 


Archelaus  Towne  Nathaniel  Bootman  Sam*  Betton 


[Many  other  papers  relating  to  this  case  may  be  found  in 
Miscellaneous  File,  1786,”  in  secretary  of  state’s  office. — 
—Ed.] 

[7-129]  \_Instructions  to  Representative^  y/c?/,] 

To  Docf  Jon^  Gove — 

Sir  The  Town  of  Newboston  having  placed  great  Confi- 
dence in  your  Abilities  and  Integrity  (by  a full  and  generous 


Amaziah  Pollard  Rob*  Campbell 

Tho®  Cochran  Joseph  Hasleton 

James  Crombie  Nathaniel  Martin 

Robert  Cochran  John  Davis 

Samuel  Stickney  Josiah  Warren 


Will*"  White  Ju*" 
Thomas  Cristy 
Samul  Willson 
John  Kenedy 
James  Karr 
Daniel  Kelso 
Joseph  M*^Kenzie 
David  M^^Laughlen 
John  Lyndsay 
David  Caldwell 


Alex^  Kelso 
W"*  Livingston 
Alexander  M'^Col- 


lom 


Allen  moor 
John  Brown 
Ninian  Aiken 
Jesse  Cristy 
Nathaniel  Dodge 
Josiah  Hutchings 


Jesse  Cristy  Jun*" 


Samuel  Towne 
Josiah  Abbott 
John  Cochran 


John  McLaughlen 
Junr 


Juner 

Tobias  Butler 
James  Adams 


Sam*  Dodge 


wilP^  Betty 
William  Clark 
Ninian  Clark 
Daniel  Dane 
David  Stinson 
James  Person 
Paul  Person 
James  Person  Ju’’ 
John  Jordan 
Peter  Cochran 
Arthur  Denis 
William  Camiel 
John  Gordon 
Simon  Dodge 
David  Goodell 
Robert  Willson 
Abner  Hogg 


Thomas  Smith  Isaac  Peabody 

James  Smith  Th®  Willson 

Joseph  Cochran  Robert  Willson  Jur 

William  Hogg  Alex*'  Willson 

John  Hogg  Alex''  Willson  Jur 

John  Livingston  Tho®  Willson  Jur 
William  White  James  willson 

Rob*  Clark  Sam*  Brown 

John  Clark  Oliver  Shipple 

John  Burns  Elias  Dickey 

James  Willson  Ju''  Will'"  Blair 

Noah  Dodge  Hammett 

Daniel  mL\llester  Peter  Clark  Ju'' 

John  M® Allester  Ju'' Nath*  Clark 
John  M^Allester  John  Smith 

Elisha  Dodge 
Elisha  Dodge  Jun'' 


NEW  BOSTON. 


657 


Vote)  have  done  you  the  honor  to  elect  you  their  Representa- 
tive for  the  ensuing  year  ; and  viewing  the  present  a very  dark 
and  difficult  Day,  have  also  thought  fit  (through  us)  to  give 
you  some  general  Instructions,  to  regulate  your  Conduct ; so 
far  as  the  Oath  which  will  be  required  of  you  ; or  the  good 
Reasons  which  you  now  possess ; or  hereafter  may  have  or 
obtain,  (relative  to  any  Matters  which  in  General-Court  may 
come  before  you)  shall  permit.  We  know  Sir  ! that  if  you  at- 
tend your  Duty  as  you  ought,  your  Task  must  be  hard  & diffi- 
cult: Wherefore  in  the  Name  and  Behalf  of  the  Town,  we 
most  earnestly  enjoin  it  upon  you  (in  the  first  place)  to  pay  a 
devout  and  religious  attention  to  the  Constitution,  and  Laws  of 
this  State  ; & also  to  the  Confederation  of  the  United  States  ; 
and  manfully  oppose  every  Measure  which  shall  not  be  conso- 
nant thereto  ; well  knowing  that  if  the  General-Court  are  inat- 
tentive to — & Disregard  their  own  Laws — the  People  will  most 
certainly  treat  them  with  Neglect.  & Contempt.  Vou  cannot 
be  ignorant  that  the  good  of  the  People,  ought  to  be  your  great 
Aim  : And  so  far  as  you  discharge  your  Duty  in  that  Respect, 
YOU  will  merit  the  fullest  Approbation  of  this  Town — and  all 
good  Men.  We  do  not  pretend,  to  give  you  Directions  in 
Matters,  where  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  know  the  Reasons, 
which  may  be  given  for,  or  against  them  ; but  most  chearfully 
submit  them  to  your  own  Judgment,  & Discretion  ; But  beg 
Leave  to  Caution  you  against  exercising  a party  Spirit  in  any 
of  your  Conduct : But  that  you  ever  keep  in  view  the  Good  of 
the  Whole,  in  which  the  happiness  of  Individuals  must  neces- 
sarily Consist,  But  as  it  will  be  a Duty  incumbent  on  you,  (in 
a more  particular  Manner)  to  attend  closely  to  the  Business  of 
this  State,  and  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  it ; we  intreat  you 
to  strive  to  promote  peace  and  Unanimity  in  the  General-Court ; 
as  that  will  greatly  strengthen  the  hands  of  Government — give 
Courage  and  Contentment  to  its  Virtuous  Citizens,  whilst  the 
flagitious  and  abandon’d  shall  thereby  meet  with  every  Discour- 
agement, and  be  forced  to  their  Duty  ; or  depart  from  among 
us.  In  the  next  place,  we  most  earnestly  enjoin  it  upon  you, 
to  endeavor  to  ease  the  Burdens  of  the  people,  so  far  as  you 
can  consistent  with  Justice  & Equity,  not  loading  them  with  un- 
necessary Taxes,  Sc  thereby  drive  them  to  a State  of  Despara- 
tion  ; nor  intermeddle  with  any  Disputes,  which  neither  Justice, 
our  Constitution  nor  the  Confederation  either  warrant ; or  re- 
quire. We  further  instruct  you  to  use  your  Influence  that  our 
waste  Lands  may  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  our  Debts, 
in  the  cheapest  & most  expeditious  manner  possible,  so  as  to 
encourage  & facilitate  the  settlement  of  them  ; & in  all  things 
endeavor  to  promote  peace  & Unanimity,  which  are  generally 

44 


658 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


attended  with  happiness  & prosperity  : Whilst  Division  & Dis- 
chord  tend  to  Destruction. 

And  it  is  our  Desire,  that  the  Tender  Act  may  be  continued 
with  this  alteration,  that  Creditor  shall  either  by  himself,  or 
Attorney  make  a Demand  of  Monies  due,  or  property,  pre- 
vious to  his  commencing  his  Suit,  or  in  any  Stage,  thereof,  ac- 
cept the  tender  of  the  Same  ; or  his  Neglect,  shall  be  a Bar  to 
all  cost,  which  mav  arise  thereon. 

And  also  that  a justice  of  the  peace  may  have  full  power,  to 
try  any  civil  Action  up  to  ten  pounds  ; & that  all  appeals  from 
s*^  Justice  may  be  entered  up  at  the  Superior  Court,  & also  that 
all  Actions  upwards  of  ten  pounds,  may  be  entered  first  at  the 
superior  Court,  and  that  the  general  sessions  of  the  peace  may 
not  be  permitted  to  set  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  more 
than  twice  in  one  year — 

and  lastly  that  the  Officers  of  Government  may  Conform  to 
the  Circumstances  of  the  People  (respecting  Salaries)  & not 
load  them  with  Burdens  exceeding  their  Abilities. 

And  now  Sir — Sincerely  wishing  you  Wisdom  to  desern  ; & 
uprightness  to  conduct ; in  the  important  Station  in  which  this 
Town  have  placed  you  beg  Leave  to  subscribe  our-selves  your 
most  obed‘  h*^®  Serv‘® 

Newboston  March  25^^  i7^7 — 


In  Town  Meeting  March  26*^  1787 — The  above  Instructions 
being  laid  before  The  Town  for  their  Consideration  (by  their 
Committee)  were  unanimously  approved  of  & accepted 


inform  the  Hono*^^  Committee  Chosen  to  Examin  the  Report 
mad  by  me  and  Esq*"  Campall  Relative  to  the  Settlement  of  the 
Line  between  Goffston  and  New-boston — which  Report  maj*’ 
Goffe  strongly  opposed  in  the  house  Last  Satter  Day — we  as  a 
Committee  took  Grat  Paines  to  Sarch  all  Papers  Examine  the 
Lins  and  Sitwation  of  the  affaire — and  found  it  imposable  for 
us  to  make  a Strat  Line  from  the  north  west  Corner  of  Bedford 


attest  Jon^  Gove  Town  Clerk 


[y-130]  \_Relative  to  Boundary  Line  between  this  Town  and 

Goffstown^ 

Dunbarton  June  y®  9 : 1788 — 

S'"®  I was  Desired  by  the  member  of  Court  for  Goffston  to 


NEW  BOSTON. 


659 


to  the  northeast  Corner  of  Newboston  (which  is  a white  oak 
tree)  without  taking  away  mens  Buildings  and  a Grat  Deal  of 
work  in  improvements  don  by  said  towns — then  by  Examining 
ower  orders  from  Court, — which  is  as  foloweth  ; — a Commit- 
tee to  Preambelate  assertain  and  Establish  a Line  between  said 
Goffston  and  newboston  to  Run  a new  Line  Strat,  it  appeared 
to  us  to  be  Grat  Disadvantage  to  boath  town  then  Exam‘S  the 
old  Line  and  the  Bounds  standing  on  s*^  old  Line  : which  was 
made  near  forty  years  ago  by  Boath  towns ; we  Judged  the 
most  safe  way  to  hurt  no  mans  Property  to  Establish  it — and 
by  advising  with  the  Selectmen  of  boath  town  who  ware  pres- 
ent through  the  whole  affaire  who  was  all  agreed — that  wee 
should  Establish  said  Lines  as  Reported  to  your  hono*^®  as  for 
majer  Goffe  we  did  not  see  him  nor  his  son  who  Lived  near 
whare  we  was  at  work  the  whole  time  and  very  well  Knew  of 
ower  Business — if  Goffston  or  Newboston  ware  so  Careliss — as 
to  Let  these  old  bounds  and  Line  stand  untill  now — when  thare 
was  a mistake  in  Goffs  Lot  we  Could  not  account  for  that — if  a 
Strat  Line  is  made  Boath  towns  unavoidbly  must  be  ffung  in 
to  a Law  Sute — 

Gentleman  I should  have  wated  on  vou  and  Gave  mv  Reason 
Personaly  had  it  ben  in  my  Power — as  Amharst  Court  sets  this 
weak  I must  attend  thare  ; 

Gentlemen  your  most  humble  SaiV 

Jeremiah  Page. 


P.  S : I was  Desired  by  the  member  of  Goffston  to  wright 

to  your  honor  Consarning  the  above  afaire 


J Page 


[See  page  45,  ant?. — Ed.] 


[7—133]  \_Report  of  Committee  on  Town  Lines ^ iy88.~\ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Hillsboro  : ss 

We  the  Subscribers  a Committee  appointed  by  the  Authority 
of  said  State  to  Preambulate  Ascertain  and  Establish  a line 
between  the  Towns  of  Goff'stown  and  New  Boston — 

Pursuant  to  our  appointment  we  have  met  and  being  attended 
by  the  Selectmen  of  each  of  the  said  Towns  and  having  Exam- 
ined the  several  Charters  and  after  having  obtained  what  light 
we  Could  into  the  Affair  we  have  agreed  to  report  and  Do 
hereby  report  as  follows  (viz)  that  the  line  between  the  said 
Towns  of  Goff'stown  and  New  Boston  begin  at  a Hemlock  tree 
which  is  the  North  west  Corner  of  the  Town  of  Bedford  from 
thence  north  three  Deg®  West  about  three  miles  to  a rock  ma- 


66o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


pie  tree  standing  Eigliteen  rods  from  the  South  Bank  of  the 
South  Branch  of  Piscatiquage  River  from  thence  westerly  sixty 
one  rods  to  a Beetch  tree  reputed  to  be  the  South  west  Corner 
of  Whites  farm  so  called  said  tree  standing  about  nine  rods 
South  of  the  river  before  Mentioned  from  thence  north  about 
four  Deg®  VV'est  about  three  Hundred  & Sixty  rods  to  a White 
oak  tree  which  is  reputed  to  be  the  Southeast  Corner  of  the 
Town  of  Wear  and  the  northeast  Corner  of  the  Town  of  New 
Boston  which  Preambulation  Ascertaining  & Establishing  ap- 
pears to  be  the  most  Just  and  Equitable  in  our  Oppinion — all 
which  is  Humbly  Submitted  by — 


Goffstow'n  March  28^^^  1788 


Jeremiah  Page 
Dan^  Campbell 


I Committee 


[7-13 1 ] \_Report  of  Committee  07t  Town  Lines ^ lySS.'] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

We  Being  Appointed  a Commitee  by  the  Hon^®  General 
Court  of  said  State  to  Perambulate  assertain  and  Establish  the 
line  between  Goffstown  and  New  Boston,  Not  to  Effect  the 
Property  of  any  Individual,  Beg  leave  to  Report  that  by  Exam- 
ing  the  Grants  and  Plans  of  said  towns  ; We  find  their  is  a 
Strait  line  from  the  Southeast  Corner  of  New  Boston  at  Am- 
harst  line  to  the  Northwest  Corner  of  Goffstown  which  is  the 
Southwest  Corner  of  Dunbarton  and  for  our  satisfaction  we 
began  at  the  Southeast  Corner  of  New  Boston  from  thence  we 
Run  a line  North  about  five  Degrees  West  about  two  Miles  to 
a hemlock  tree  wdiich  is  the  Northwest  Corner  of  Bedford  and 
the  Southwest  Corner  of  Goffstown  from  thence  we  Run  a line 
the  same  Course  four  miles  and  one  hundred  and  four  Rods 
and  Erected  Monuments  theiron  to  a White  Oak  tree  which  is 
Called  the  Northeast  Corner  of  New-Boston  and  the  Southeast 
Corner  of  Weare  thence  We  Run  the  same  Course  about  one 
mile  and  three  Qiiarters  to  Goffstown  Northwest  Corner  and 
Dunbarton  Southwest  Corner ; and  we  find  all  four  of  said 
bounds  standing  in  a Strait  line  as  Nigh  as  Can  be  Expected  ; 
Wherefore  it  is  our  opinions  that  the  aforesaid  line  between  the 
said  hemlock  tree  which  is  Goffstown  Southwest  Corner ; and 
the  aforesaid  White  oak  tree  which  is  Called  New  Boston 
Northeast  Corner  is  the  Right  line  between  said  Goffstown  and 
New  Boston  ; As  to  the  said  line  Effecting  the  property  of  In- 
dividuals the  lots  that  lyeth  in  both  towns  on  Each  Side  of  said 
line  Contains  about  the  Number  of  Acres  in  them  that  they  are 
Called  by  Estimation  without  Crosing  the  said  line  ; We  further 


NEW  BOSTON. 


66 1 


Report  their  is  a line  that  begines  at  the  aforesaid  hemlock  and 
Runs  North  two  Degrees  West  three  miles  and  forty  Rods  and 
their  Stops  the  End  thereof  is  fifty  four  Rods  East  from  the 
first  Mentioned  line  on  which  New  Boston  and  Goftstown  lots 
appeared  to  be  bounded  as  far  as  that  Went  which  line  would 
leave  but  about  half  a lot  in  Goffstown  ; and  make  New  Boston 
lots  as  much  longer  then  they  are  Called  as  it  Does  Gofistown 
lots  Narrower  ; which  line  New  Boston  has  Claimed  to  ; and 
by  that  Reason  their  is  Sum  Individuals  Claiming  Under  New 
Boston  lies  Done  Work  to  the  East  of  the  first  Mentioned  line  ; 
(viz)  one  Joseph  Leaches  Dwelling  house  falls  about  one  Rod 
East  oft'  the  first  mentioned  line  but  his  House  Will  Stand  on 
his  own  land  for  he  owns  land  in  Goft'stown  Joyning  to  New 
Boston  line  ag^ainst  whare  said  house  Stands  as  VV^e  Ware  In- 
formed  ; and  their  is  Sum  other  persons  that  has  Cut  Down 
Sum  trees  to  the  East  of  said  first  mentioned  line  ; it  is  our 
Judgment  that  those  persons  that  has  Done  said  labour  oft'  of 
their  land  should  be  paid  for  it  by  the  Owners  of  the  land  ; the 
bounds  and  line  of  said  towns  may  more  fully  appear  by  the 
Plan  herewith  Annexed  ; the  Selectmen  of  Each  of  said  towns 
attended  on  said  business,  All  which  is  humblv  Submitted — 

Jeremiah  Page  ) 

Daniel  Campbel  Committee 
Aaron  Greeley  ) 

December  13*^  1788 

[7-'32] 

[This  document  is  the  plan,  referred  to  in  the  foregoing, 
of  the  line  between  Goffstown  and  New  Boston. — Ed,] 


[R.  3-21]  \_Petiiion  from  Soldiers  who  were  captured  at  the 

Cedars 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senat  and  House  of  Representatives  to 
be  Conven^  at  Concord  on  the  ftrst  Wednesday  of  December 

We  the  Subscribers  once  more  looks  up  to  our  Political 
fathers  and  Guardiens  for  Redress — 

we  your  loyal  and  Dutifull  Sons  Enlisted  as  Soldiers  in  De- 
fence of  our  Country  in  the  year  1776  and  furnished  our  selves 
with  warlike  accouterments  at  a very  Expencis'e  Rate  but  the 
fortune  of  w’ar  turned  against  us  we  were  Captivated  at  the 
Cedars  so  caled  and  sufered  sevage  Barbarity  being  Striped 
and  plundered  of  Every  thing  and  onlv  Escaped  with  the  Skin 
of  our  teeth,  we  have  Repeatedly  and  humbly  Petitioned  our 


662 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Venarable  fathers  for  Redress  to  which  tliey  lent  a Deaf  ear 
and  Shut  up  the  Bowels  of  Compation,  now^  we  once  more 
Request  you  to  open  your  ears  to  our  Just  Call  shew  Com- 
pation to  your  Dutifull  Children  by  Compensating  them  in 
Some  Measure  for  their  loses  they  Sustained  in  the  Defence  of 
you  and  their  Country  let  the  words  of  the  Greatest  Lawgiver 
be  your  guide  Do  as  you  would  be  Done  by  that  your  Sons 
from  hence  forth  may  have  Reason  to  Call  you  Blesed  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 

New  Boston  Dec*'  y®  AD  1795 

James  Caldwell 
Robert  Campbell 
John  M^^Neill 
Josiah  Warren 

[Postponed  till  next  session. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-20]  \_Soldier’s  Order ^ 

New  Boston  November  25*^  179S — 
To  the  Treasurer  of  New  Hampshire — 

Please  to  pay  to  Robert  B : Wilkins  all  the  Depreciation  due 
to  me  as  a Sargent  in  the  3*^  New  Hampshire  Regiment  in  the 
late  Army  of  the  United  States,  and  his  Receipt  shall  be  your 
Discharge  from  me — 

Abner  Hogg 


NEWBURY. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  Masonian  proprietors, 
February,  1772,  to  John  Fisher,  of  Portsmouth,  and  called 
Dantzick  for  some  time,  and  afterwards  Fishersfield,  until 
it  was  changed  to  Newbury,  July  4,  1837. 

The  town  was  incorporated  Nov.  27,  1778,  and  annexed 
to  Hillsborough  county  by  the  same  act,  previous  to  which 
it  was  partly  in  the  county  of  Cheshire. 

A portion  of  the  town  was  taken  off,  and  included  in  the 
territory  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Goshen  in  1791. 

Two  tracts  of  land  have  been  severed  from  this  town  and 
annexed  to  Bradford,  one  of  which  was  Dec.  6,  1796,  and 
the  other  June  22,  1859. 


NEWBURY. 


663 


■'[7-236]  S^Relative  to  Incorporating  the  To-wii^ 


To  the  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  Convend 
May  2o‘^  177S. 

The  Subscribers  Inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Land  Called 
Fishersfield  in  said  State  Humbly  Shew  to  your  Honors — That 
Having  Seen  a Petition  to  your  hon*’®  for  a remission  or  Sus- 
pension of  the  State  tax  of  said  Township,  and  for  an  Incor- 
poration of  the  same,  and  also  that  the  same  may  be  wholly 
Joined  to  & Laid  within  the  County  of  Hillsborough,  Your 
Petitioners  are  Greatly  Surprized  to  see  what  arguments  are 
bro’t  by  the  Signers  of  that  Petition  to  Induce  your  hon'’®  to 
Grant  the  prayer  thereof.  Namely  That  they  Conceive  your 
hon'®  have  Unconstitutionally  Taxed  them  &c  and  therefore  pray 
that  the  same  may  be  remitted  or  Suspended*,  untill  Your  hon’’® 
■shall  Incorporate  them  with  Powers  and  Privileges  to  raise 
Taxes,  lay  out  and  repair  highways  &c — To  which  your  hon*^ 
now  Petitioners  beg  leave  to  say  that  altho’  the  Tax  on  said 
Township  is  Heavy  Yet  as  the  Greater  part  of  the  Lands  be- 
long to  Nonresidents  We  are  willing  to  pay  our  equal  propor- 
tion with  others,  and  think  Your  hon’®  have  wisely  provided  a 
way  to  recover  it  without  Incorporating  said  Township — and 
as  to  the  Charge  of  Highways  &c,  we  would  say  that  in  Case 
we  should  be  Incorporated  we  fear  the  whole  burthen  of  the 
highways  will  fall  on  the  Inhabitants  (being  but  about  Twenty 
familys  at  most)  and  whilst  Unincorporated  we  have  Great 
liopes  of  help  in  that  matter  from  the  Nonresident  Proprietors. 
We  would  further  Suggest  to  Your  horY  that  several  of  the 
Persons  named  as  Signers  of  the  aforesaid  Petition  are  not  nor 
Ever  were  Inhabitants  of  said  Township,  & some  who  never 
Signed  the  same, — The  said  Township  is  new  and  poorly  set- 
tled, and  not  Yet  well  furnished  for  all  Necessary  Town  offi- 
cers &c — 

For  all  which  reasons  and  many  more  that  might  be  offer’d 
We  humbly  request  and  hope  your  hon^®  will  Wisely  Consider 
of  these  matters  and  Dismiss  the  aforesaid  Petition  or  not  Grant 
the  prayer  thereof,  but  Let  the  said  Township  remain  Still 
Unincorporated  untill  Your  hon’’®  shall  find  us  better  able  and 
'Qiialified  to  receive  such  Incorporation — 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray — &c 
Fisherfield  May  1778. 


Jesse  Baker 
Biley  Dudley 
Caleb  Dodge 
John  Lain 
Thomas  M®willia 


Ebenezer  Towl 
Jonas  Hastings 
Benja  Baker 
John  Harvey 
s Enoch  Harvey 


John  Harvev  Jun. 
George  Emerson 
Moses  Sleeper 


664 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[The  petition  for  incorporation  is  dated  Feb.  3,  1778,  and 


signed  by 

“Joseph  Chandler, 
Charles  Emerson 
JiiiV 

Eliphalet  Chandler 
Zeph  Clark 
Ephraim  Bradbury 


William  Emery  Ju 
John  Clark 
James  Muchmore 
William  Emery 
Jonas  Hastings 
Oliver  Emerson 


’■  George  Hadly 
Paul  Towl 
Samuel  Gunnison  Jr.. 
Nicholas  Dodge.” 


The  town  was  incorporated  Nov.  27,  1778. — Ed.] 


[7-237]  [ Conwtittee  to  Petltioii  for  redress  of  Grievances.^ 

This  may  Certify  whome  it  May  Concern  that  Joseph  Chand- 
ler and  Jonas  hastens  the  Selectmen  for  fishersfield  in  the  Year 
1779  Were  Chosen  at  A Leagal  Meeting  held  at  fishersfield  on 
february  the  fifteenth  AD  1781  to  Petition  the  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives  Conveaned  at  Exeter  for  A Redress 
of  Grievances  in  the  Name  and  behalf  of  said  town 

Witness  Paul  Towl  town  Clerk 

Dated  at  fishersfield  this  19^^^  Day  of  march  1781  — 


[7-239]  \_Petition  of  afore-7ta77ied  Co77i77iittee.t  1782.'^ 

State  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Hillsborough 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives- 

Convened  at  Concord — 

May  it  please  your  Honours  We  your  most  humble  Petition- 
ers Hereb}'  beg  leave  to  Lay  the  Grievence  of  the  Town  of 
Fishersfield  and  the  Cause  thereof  before  your  Honours  for 
your  Candid  and  Deliberate  Consideration  Therefore  we  your 
Petitioners  who  were  Chosen  and  served  as  two  of  the  Select- 
men in  said  Town  of  Fishersfield  for  y®  year  1779  which  was 
the  first  year  the  Valuation  was  taken  after  our  Incorporation, 
and  being  Unaquainted  with  the  Method  of  Proceedure  in  such 
Capacity  in  New  Settlements  and  with  the  advice  of  some 
whome  we  thought  to  have  more  knowledge  in  such  Business 
then  our  selves  we  took  the  Valuation  on  all  Lands  in  said 
Town  on  which  Indean  Corn  Ry  wheet  or  any  other  Nessacary 
produce  Grew  a Great  part  of  which  lands  the  Trees  was  only 
fell  and  the  Land  but  Slightly  Burnt  over  the  Logs  and  Brush 
much  of  them  being  then  on  y'  Grounds  for  which  Reason  we- 


NEWBURY. 


665 


now  think  that  it  would  take  more  then  four  acres  of  such  Land 
to  make  it  Equel  in  Value  for  Produce  with  one  Acre  of  old 
Improved  tillage  land  and  on  y‘  account  of  the  Valuation  being 
taken  and  given  in  order  for  our  being  Taxed  in  Proportion  to 
our  Intrests  with  other  Towns  in  said  State  together  with  there 
being  Several  Polls  taken  and  given  in  in  said  Valuation  which 
did  not  properly  Belong  to  said  Fishersfleld  We  Humbly  beg 
Liberty  to  Inform  your  Honours  that  we  now  think  that  Not- 
withstanding the  abatement  of  Part  of  our  Taxes  in  y®  year 
1780  that  we  are  still  taxed  full  one  third  too  high  when  Corn- 
paired  with  some  other  towns  within  our  knowledge — 

Wherefore  We  your  Honours  most  Humble  Petitioners  in 
the  name  and  behalf  of  y®  Town  of  Fishersfleld  and  by  the 
Earnest  Desire  of  our  poor  Inhabitants  who  Complain  being 
on  New  Settlements  and  hardly  able  to  Support  their  Families 
and  much  less  able  to  pay  tlieir  Respective  Assessments  most 
Humblv  and  Earnestly  Pray  that  vour  Honours  would  take  the 
matter  of  our  Grevience  under  your  Serious  Candid  and  Delib- 
erate Consideration  and  ease  us  so  much  of  our  taxes  and  such 
Number  of  Soldiers  sent  to  for  the  Contenental  Service  as  your 
Honours  shall  think  Reasonable  for  the  Reason  above  offered — 
And  We  your  Honours  most  Humble  Petitionors  as  in  Duty 
bound  Shall  ever  Pray — 

Dated  at  Fishersfield  March  y®  8*^  1782 

Joseph  Chandler 
Jonas  Hastings 

[They  had  sent  in  a petition  the  previous  year  similar  to 
this. — Ed.] 

- [7-244]  [^Petition  for  Authority  to  Pax  Non- Residents y 

1789.1 

State  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Hilsborough 

To  The  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Convened — 

We  the  Subscribers  Select  Men  for  the  Town  of  Fishersfield 
Humbly  sheweth  that  it  is  really  Nessary  that  the  roads  in 
said  Town  should  be  Made  Passable  for  Public  Use  which  is 
Much  wanted  for  the  Neighboring  Towns  to  pass  to  and  from 
the  Seaports  therefore  we  humbly  pray  that  the  Honorable  Au- 
thority would  be  pleased  to  take  the  matter  under  concideration 
and  if  it  should  appear  reasonable  to  Enact  a Law  impowring 
the  Select  Men  to  Tax  all  the  Lands  in  the  Town  of  Fishers- 
field One  Penny  Per  Acre  for  three  year  to  be  worked  out  on 


666 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  Highways  to  repare  and  make  Passable  a Road  in  s*^  Town 
for  Public  Use  And  we  Shall  as  in  Duty  bound  Ever  Pray 


N B we  have  Sent  a Pertition  Last  year  which  Pertition 
Past  in  the  House  of  Representatives  but  was  Postponed  in  the 
Senate  Untill  June  Session  at  which  time  the  Pertition  was  not 
to  be  found 


State  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honorable  the  Senate  and  the  Honorable  house  of  Rep- 
resentatives in  General  court  convened  at  Exeter 

The  memorial  of  John  Peirce  of  Portsmouth  Merchant, 
Humbly  sheweth  that  in  Feb^  I772i  John  Fisher  Esq*^  obtained 
a Grant  from  the  Masonian  Proprietors  for  the  Township  of 
Fishersfield,  that  your  memorialist  received  said  Fishers  Deed 
for  one  half  said  Township — That  the  Settlement  has  been  car- 
ried on  at  the  joint  expence  of  said  Fisher  & your  Memorialist, 
That  immediately  after  receiving  said  Grant  they  were  call’d 
upon  by  the  Government  to  clear  the  Province  Road  so  Called 
through  said  Town,  which  was  done  accordingly,  & these  cost 
the  said  Fisher  & your  Memorialist  JCioi,  lo,  lo  L M^  that 
other  very  considerable  sums  have  been  since  laid  out  in  repair- 
ing & making  other  Roads — That  the  whole  of  the  good  Land 
owned  by  said  Fisher  & your  Memorialist  on  said  Province 
Road,  was  laid  out  for  Settlers,  and  actually  given  away,  with 
almost  the  whole  north  west  Qiiarter  of  the  Town  besides, 
and  not  less  than  One  hundred  Acres  of  the  best  Land  the  Set- 
tlers could  pick,  to  any  one, — That  of  the  large  number  of  in- 
habitants now  in  the  Town  a very  small  part  of  them,  perhaps 
not  more  than  five  or  Six,  whose  lots  were  not  given  for  Settle- 
ment, and  all  of  whom  by  agreement  expressed  or  implyed 
were  forever  to  support  the  proprietary  Charges. 

Your  Memorialist  would  further  shew  that  by  their  said 
Grant  they  were  obliged  to  settle  only  twenty  five  Families — 
That  they  actually  gave  away  Forty  lots  to  settlers  very  soon 
after  receiving  their  Grant,  and  have  since  given  away  lots  to 
more  than  ten  other  Settlers — 

Their  only  inducement  to  do  so  much  more  than  their  Char- 
ter required,  was  that  the  Charges  of  the  Roads  should  not 
be  burthensome  to  the  Settlers. — Your  memorialist  is  now  sur- 


[7-242] 


\_R.emonst7'ance  to  foregoing.^ 


NEWBURY. 


667 


prized  at  hearing  a request  from  the  inhabitants  for  a Tax  by 
which  they  now  intend  to  shift  off  the  w'hole  burthen  of  the 
Roads  on  your  Memorialist, — and  that  one  branch  of  the  Leg- 
islature has  actually,  so  far  granted  the  prayer  of  a petition  for 
that  purpose  as  to  permit  a bill  to  be  brought  in,  without  the 
usual  Notice  in  such  unreasonable  cases. — It  is  clearly  seen  that 
if  the  law  requested  should  pass,  that  it  must  operate  extreemly 
unequally  — for  of  the  Common  Land  now  owned  by  your 
Memorialist,  a very  considerable  part  is  Mountaneous  & never 
can  or  will  be  cultivated,  whereas  Seven  or  eight  thousand 
Acres  in  possession  of  the  Settlers  is  picked  Land,  of  the  whole 
Town,  and  all  very  good,  and  is  undoubtedly  worth  ten  times 
the  sum,  the  same  Qiiantity  of  Land  like  the  unsettled  Lands 
in  that  Town,  for  which  reason  a Tax  by  the  Acre  would  op- 
erate very  unequally — Your  Memorialist  would  further  vSuggest 
the  possibility  if  not  probability  of  great  injustice  in  collecting 
such  a Tax,  for  by  puting  it  in  the  power  of  the  Inhabitants  to 
collect  the  Tax  at  will,  by  advancing  the  price  of  Labour  above 
the  Cash  value,  they  may  not  only  free  their  own  Lands  from 
the  Tax  but  put  money  in  their  pockets — 

For  all  which  and  many  other  good  reasons  Your  memorial- 
ist most  humbly  request  the  Petition  of  the  Select  Men  or  In- 
habitants of  Fishersfield  may  be  dismissed — and  your  Memori- 
alist as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 

Portsmouth  Jan^  26'*'  ^7^9 

John  Peirce — 


[7-233]  \^Petition  for  the  Iitcorporatio7Z  of  a New  Towzi^ 

ngi-l 

To  the  Honrable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  Convened  at  Concord  on  the 
first  Wednesday  of  June  Next — 

We  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Fishersfield  Humbly 
sheweth  that  the  Southwest  Corner  of  this  Town  Lying  upon 
the  west  side  of  a great  Mountain  so  that  it  is  Imposible 
for  it  to  be  Commoded  by  the  Center  of  this  Town  which  is 
the  Reason  of  its  not  being  settled  before  now  for  they  could  not 
get  from  the  Corner  of  said  Town  without  going  through  part 
of  Wendell  to  the  north  End  of  said  Mountain  and  when 
traveled  five  Miles  they  would  be  no  nearer  the  Center  than 
when  first  set  out  therefore  we  think  it  reasonable  and  Necesary 
that  it  should  be  Incorporated  with  the  Corners  of  several  other 
Towns  agreeable  to  the  prayer  of  a Number  of  petitioners  who 
have  petitioned  for  the  same  Provided  it  does  not  Include 


668 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Samuel  Gunnison  farm  or  otherwise  as  your  Honours  in  your 
Wisdom  seem  meet  and  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound 
Shall  Ever  pray 

Fisherfield  May  20*^  1791 


Samuel  atwood 
Jacob  Stevens 
William  Brown 
Ebenezer  Marshal 
Jonathan  Marshall 
William  Cochran 
James  Vance 
obadiah  Hadley 
Joseph  Marshall 
Joshua  Maxheld 
James  Gillinham 
Benjamin  Gilinham 


James  Gillinham  J 
Bond  Little 
Thoms  Little 
Sam  Little 
Joseph  Cross 
Paul  Towl 
Ebenezer  Towl 
Jesse  Ainger 
Joseph  Webster 
Abraham  Wells 
David  Farmer 
Lemuel  Harvey 


John  Harvey 
John  Harvey  Ju 
Jesse  Baker 
Benga  Baker  Jun 
Henry  Achilles 
Benja  Baker 
Nathan  Baker 
Jonas  Hastings 
Beni‘S  Critchet 
Jonathan  Merrill 
William  Emery 
Simion  Stevens 


[7-234]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  foregohtg^ 

Agreeable  to  a Vote  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Fish- 
ersfield  Field  on  the  Eighteenth  of  October  Last 

Voted  that  the  prayer  of  W™  Story  and  others  be  granted 
provided  that  they  Leave  out  Sa"^  Guninison  and  W"^  Gunnison 
and  their  Lands  Living  on  the  Lots  N°  9 & 10  of  the  100  acre 
Lots  in  s*^  Fishersfield 

William  Dodge  Town  Clark 

Fishersfield  Ocfi  1791 — 

[A  portion  of  the  town  was  set  off,  combined  with  others, 
and  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Goshen,  Dec.  27,  1791. — 
Ed.] 


[7-245]  S^Petition  of  sundry  Inhabitants  to  be  a7znexed  to 

Bradford.~\ 

To  the  Hon^'®  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  to  be  Con- 
vened at  Concord  within  and  for  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire in  November  AD — 1796 — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  South  part  of  Fishers- 
field in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  begs  Leave  to  Represent 
to  your  Honours,  that  it  is  the  Desire  of  said  Inhabitants,  that 
so  much  of  s*^  Fishersfield  be  set  oft'  from  s'^  Fishersfield  & 
Anaxed  to  Bradford  in  said  County  as  will  make  a Straight 
Line — Viz,  Beginning  at  the  Southwes  Corner  of  the  Town  of 


NEWBURY. 


669 


Sutton  in  said  County,  then  Running  to  y®  Southwest  Corner 
of  S*^  Fishersfield ; and  Having  Obtained  a V^ote  of  Both 
Towns,  prays  your  Honours  in  your  Goodness  to  Enact  a Law 
for  s*^  purpose  of  Encorporating  them  with  Bradford,  and  Your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray. 

Fishersfield  Nov.  21®*  i79^ — 

John  Hog  Jr 
Jonathan  Marshall 
Joseph  Marshall 
Obadiah  Hadley 

[The  foregoing  was  granted  Dec.  6,  1796. — Ed.] 


Joshua  Maxfield 
Joshua  Maxfield  Jun’’ 
Ebenezer  Marshall 


[7-246]  S^Report  relative  to  Town  Lines^  ^7P7*] 

State  of  New  Hampshire 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  June  20*^  ^797 — 

The  Committee  on  the  Petitions  from  Wendal  & fishersfield 
Respecting  the  Boundarvs  of  Goshen  Report  that  the  lines  and 
bounds  of  the  said  Goshen  be  as  follows  Beginning  at  a Stake 
and  stons  on  fishersfield  line  about  160  rods  north  of  Corys 
road  so  called  from  thence  Streight  to  the  northeast  corner  of 
lot  number  nine  mentioned  in  Goshens  act  of  incorporation 
then  to  proceed  as  said  act  directs  untill  it  comes  to  the  south 
East  corner  of  said  Goshen  thence  north  untill  it  intersects 
fishersfield  line  thence  on  fisherfield  line  to  the  first  bounds 
mentioned  & that  Goshen  have  leave  to  Bring  in  a bill  to  estab- 
lish the  line  as  above  described 

J Blanchard  for  the  Committee 

[The  foregoing  report  was  adopted,  and  leave  granted. — 
—Ed.] 


[7-248]  [^Relative  to  Tovu7i  Lines^  /ypy.] 

To  the  Flonourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  state  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  Convened  at  Concord  the 
first  Wednesday  of  June  Current. 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Fishersfield  Humbly 
sheweth  that  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Goshen 
have  Presented  a Petition  to  the  Honourable  Court  praying  that 


970 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  first  Mentioned  bounds  of  said  Goshen  be  Established 
Either  at  the  North  east  Corner  of  Lot  N°  Nine  without  any 
Regard  to  the  line  of  Fishersfield,  or  on  said  line  of  Fishers- 
field  at  the  Place  meant  to  be  Discribed  in  the  act  of  Incorpo- 
ration without  any  Regard  to  lot  N®  Nine.  Your  Petitioners 
therefore  Humbly  Request  your  Honours  Not  to  Establish  the 
said  Corner  of  Goshen  on  Fishersfield  line  which  we  Never 
Understood  to  be  intended  which  may  more  fully  appear  by 
having  Refference  to  their  Petition  for  the  Incorporation  of  said 
Goshen  ; Unless  said  Corner  may  be  Established  on  Fishers- 
field line  and  thence  follow  the  said  Original  line  of  Fishers- 
field to  the  Place  where  said  line  of  Goshen  Intersects  said  line 
of  Fishersfield  thence  following  the  line  of  Goshen  as  Now 
stands  which  they  tell  us  is  all  they  wish  to  have  : Otherwise 
it  will  Injure  the  Town  of  Fishersfield  greatly  by  taking  off  a 
Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Fishersfield  with  a considerable 
tract  of  land  and  cutting  a Number  of  farms  which  may  More 
fully  appear  by  the  general  Plan  of  the  state — 

And  we  your  Flumble  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall 
Ever  Pray 

Fishersfield  June  y®  5^*^  AD  1797 

Samuel  Gunnison  J Selectmen  in  behalf 
Phinehas  Batchelder  > of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Timothy  Morse  ) Fishersfield 


NEW  CASTLE. 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the  state,  and  was  for- 
merly known  by  the  name  of  Great  Island.  It  was  the  seat 
of  government  for  some  years,  and  meetings  of  the  gov- 
ernor and  council  were  held  here  as  late  as  1718. 

Previous  to  1793  the  inhabitants  were  assessed  by  the 
selectmen  of  Portsmouth,  but  being  dissatisfied  with  the 
assessment  made  that  year  they  appealed  to  the  governor 
and  council,  who  disapproved  the  assessment;  and,  in  an- 
swer to  a petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  Great  Island,  sev- 
ered them  from  the  “ Bank,”  and  granted  them  a charter 
with  town  privileges  by  the  name  of  New  Castle,  which 
name  came  from  the  Duke  of  New  Castle. 

The  charter  was  granted  by  Governor  John  Usher  and 


NEW  CASTLE. 


671 


his  council,  is  dated  May  30,  1693,  and  included  some  terri- 
tory now  belonging  to  the  town  of  Rye.  A settlement  was 
made  here  as  early  as  1623  by  one  David  Thompson,  who 
soon  after  built  a house  on  Odiorne’s  Point,  which  remained 
standing  for  many  years,  and  was  known  as  Mason’s 
Hall. 

An  earthwork  fort  was  built  on  Frost’s  Point  at  an  early 
date.  It  was  rebuilt  in  1704-5  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
Wolfgang  William  Romer,  one  of  the  queen’s  engineers,  who 
came  over  from  England  for  that  purpose,  and  was  called 
“Fort  William  and  Mary”  for  eighty  years  or  more  prior  to 
the  Revolution. 

A fort  was  built  on  Jerry’s  Point  in  1775.  An  ancient, 
crude  plan  showing  its  location,  and  also  the  locations  of 
Forts  Washington  and  Sullivan,  is  in  manuscript,  Vol.  7,  p. 
134,  from  which  volume  the  following  documents  are  copied. 

In  1725  or  ’26  sundry  persons  belonging  to  New  Castle, 
Sandy  Beach,  Portsmouth,  and  Hampton,  petitioned  the 
general  assembly  to  be  erected  into  a parish  by  themselves  ; 
and  an  act  passed  that  body  on  the  30th  of  April,  1726,  pro- 
viding “ that  the  great  island  in  the  Town  of  New  Castle 
together  with  the  Estates  of  Lieutenant  John  Sherburne 
George  Wallis  deceased,  Tobias  Lear  John  Odiorne  Capt 
Henry  Sherburne  James  Randall  & John  Leach  be  a dis- 
tinct parish  by  their  antiant  Name  of  New  Castle,  and  that 
all  other  parts  of  New  Castle  be  another  or  second  Parish 
by  the  Name  of  Rye  and  all  the  petitioners  who  lived  in 
Portsmouth  and  Hampton  were  “ Polled  of  to  the  said  Parish 
of  Rye”  for  ministerial  and  school  purposes.  From  this  I 
think  that  John  Farmer  must  be  in  error  in  his  statement 
that  “ Rye  was  incorporated  in  1719.” 

By  an  act  passed  December  22,  1791,  all  that  part  of  New 
Castle  situated  on  the  “ south-west  side  of  the  River”  was 
severed  from  the  town,  and  “ annexed  to  the  Parish  of 
Rye.” 

Ancient  New  Castle  engaged  quite  extensively  in  the 
fishery  business  : modern  New  Castle  is  engaged  somewhat 
in  entertaining  summer  visitors,  it  being  one  of  the  pleas- 
antest places  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 


6/2  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[7-136]  [^Relative  to  settling  a Minister^  168 2. 

To  the  hoiio^  The  President  and  Councell,  now  Sitting  In 
Portsmouth  3 Day  of  May 1682 

The  humble  Petition  and  Adress  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Great  Island  In  Portsmouth — 

May  it  please  you.  your  petitioners  haveing  for  a long  Time 
layen  under  The  heavie  Burthen  Laboriouse  toile  and  hazard- 
ouse  goeing  to  Meeting  on  the  Lords-Day  (as  wee  question  not 
but  your  hono’’®'^  Selves  are  very  Sensible  of  it,)  ffor  help  and 
reliefe  wee  have  made  our  application  To  the  Generali  Court: 
who  as  wee  conceive  have  grannted  us  the  liberty  to  have  a 
Minister  among  our  selves  : But  the  Providence  of  God  order- 
ing it  So,  that  Before  wee  could  accomplish  Our  desires  The 
Government  hath  changed,  And  therefore  thought  it  our  duty 
before  wee  attempted  any  farther.  To  make  your  Honou’’®'^ 
Selves  acquainted  therewith  ; Humbly  begging  your  allowance 
and  approbation  therein  That  So  wee  may  have  an  allowed  and 
approved  minister  among  us — Whether  on  the  Joint  accompt 
of  the  whole  Toune,  or  on  our  owne  which  shall  bee  most  ad- 
viseable.  The  Reason  of  the  Necessity  of  haveing  One  wee 
have  given  In  to  the  Generali  Court  of  the  Mattatusets  ftbrmerly  : 
The  Same  now,  and  many  more.  Wee  make  Bould  briefly  to 
hint  here. — 

1.  The  great  Profaning  of  the  Lords  Day  By  those  that  stay 
at  home. 

2.  There  beeing  but  very  few.  Scarce  one  third  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  this  Island  y*  Goe  to  meeting  Abundance  of  Children 
liveinsf  here  that  never  heard  a Sermon  or  knew  what  that 
means.  So  that  by  degrees  they  will  soone  grow  heathenish  If 
there  be  not  a place  of  worship  constituted  among  us  here  on 
this  Island. 

3.  Our  poor  Servants,  espetially  those  of  an  handycraft  trade 
that  expect  to  have  Some  ease  on  the  Lords  Day,  Complaine  of 
theyr  great  Labour  and  toile  ; rowing  Sometimes  against  wind 
and  tide,  & that  day  which  should  bee  kept  holy,  is  by  that 
means  made  a day  of  Greater  pains  then  other  week  days. 

4.  The  hazarding  of  our  Selves  and  Servants  and  Childrens 
healths  (if  not  lives ;)  And  allso  the  Great  Danger  of  our 
houses  and  goods  subiect  to  fflre  and  Roberyes  by  our  being  ab- 
sent and  from  the  Great  Island  On  the  Lords  day 

5.  His  flbrtiflcation  here  Lies  to  the  mercy  of  an  open 

and  Secret  enemy  ; Scarce  One  Suflitient  man  Staying  at  home 
for  its  Defense  & safety  These  and  many  other  weighty  Rea- 
sons wee  might  propose  which  wee  omit  humblye  Leaveing  all 
to  your  Hono'"'^  Selves  and  your  Seriouse  consideration. — 


NEW  CASTLE. 


673 


Wee  have  unanimonsely  made  choice  of  Nathaniell  ffryer 
m^  Robert  Elliot  George  Jeftery  and  m*'  John  Hinks  to  pre- 
sent this  our  petition  and  enlarge  upon  it  as  occation  Serves. 

We  whose  names  are  under  written,  are  by  consent  of  y®  In- 
habitants of  y®  Gr*  Island  appointed  in  all  & every  of  their 
names  to  present  y®  within  written  Petition  to  y®  Presid*  & 
Counsel ; & receiv  their  Answer  to  y®  same 

Nathan  dryer 
Robert  Elliot 
Geo  : Jafiray 
John  Hinckes 

Vera  copia  from  y®  Original  Petition  on  file 

Teste  Ric'^  Chamberlain  SecP® 


[Rev,  Samuel  Moody  was  settled  here  soon  after. — Ed.] 


[7-*37] 

The  humble  Petitition  of  Humphry  Sponsor  to  y®  honored 
President  & Council  assembled  at  Portsm®  in  y®  Pi'ovince  of 
Newdiampshire  this  third  of  Octob*’  1682 — 

Humbly  craveth  }'o^  hono*^®  favour  Concerning  a fine  that  was 
laid  upon  him  3^®  last  setting  of  y®  Council  at  Portsm®  It  was 
as  yo*"  humble  Petition’’  hath  formerly  endeavoured  to  show  be- 
fore in  his  humble  Petition  to  yoif  honors  that  y®  maniP  of  his 
living  & urgencie  of  incomm’’®  did  run  him  as  he  humbly  con- 
fesseth,  illegally  to  sell  drink  w®’’  he  would  as  willingl3^  have 
given  if  his  state  would  have  bore  it,  y®  Temptation  of  that  run 
him  to  do  amiss,  & doth  humbl}^  crave  ^'o*"  hono’’  Pity  & com- 
passion to  remitt  w*^  yo’’  hono*'  may  of  y®  last  fine  imposed  upon 
him,  & doth  promise  to  y®  best  of  his  pow®  to  be  more  watch- 
full  hereaff  of  committing  aii3^  disorder  If  yo*"  hono’’  can  find 
an}^  room  for  favo*'  herein  shall  still  reackon  it  a farth’’  obliga- 
tion to  prav  for  his  majesties  good  Government  in  this  place  & 
yo’’  hono’’®  prosperity  so  Serving  to  yo*"  hono^  favourable  con- 
struction, humbl}’  subscribe. 

Yo’’  humble  PetitioiP 

Humphrey  Spensor 


[7-139]  S^Petition  for  a Tavern  License^  i682.'\ 

Great  Island  23‘^  February.  1682 
To  the  Hono®‘*  Governo’’ of  The  Province  of  New-Hampsheir — 
The  humble  petition  of  Henry  Russell  SeiT 
Whereas  by  the  providence  of  God  your  poor  petitioner  hath 

45 


674 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Lived  on  this  Island  and  haveing  had  a permition  formerly  to 
entertaine  ffisher  men  and  Seamen  with  Diet  and  Lodging  at 
my  house  And  being  now  well  Stricken  in  yeares — My  humble 
and  earnest  petition  to  yo’'  Hono’’  is  That  you  would  Favoura- 
bly Graunt  mee  your  License  and  leave  To  give  accomodation 
to  Strangers  as  ftbrmerly  with  meat  Beer  and  Lodging  and  I 
shall  allwayes  pray  ffor  your  hono*"®  prosperity  and  Govern- 
ment— 

Henry  Russell. 


[7-140]  \^yoseph  Punnort for  Pavern  Picense.~\ 

To  y®  Hon'^^®  the  Precedent  & the  Councell  of  his  Majestys 
province  of  New  Hampsheire 

The  humble  petition  of  Joseph  Purmot  inhabitant  on  y®  great 
Island, 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  petitioner  having  a wife  and  family  of  Children  to 
maintaine  and  at  the  present  all  trading  being  very  dead,  hum- 
bly beggeth  yo’’  honors  licence  to  keep  a publiqe  house  of  en- 
tertainement  there  being  at  present  but  one  on  y®  great  Island 
and  that  very  inconvenient  for  strangers  and  travellours  in  theire 
journeying  through  the  country 

now  your  petitioner  beggeth  your  honours  favourable  grant 
and  he  shall  always  pray  for  yo^  hono*'® 

Joseph  Pormort 


[7-143]  \_‘State?nent  and  Petition  of  foseph  Pnrmort, 
Apriell  the  15*^  1683 

To  the  Honourable  Deputy  Govenouer  And  Honored  Counsell 
Now  Siting  At  Portsm®  Right  Hono’^ 

Your  Humbell  petitionour  seueth  ; that  He  Having  formerly 
had  (from  the  lat  President  And  Counsell)  A Licenc  to  kep  A 
Hons  of  EntertaiiF^*^  Then  here  being  none  at  this  End  of  the 
Hand  to  Suply  that  plac  Which  occasioned  our  mor  Diligence 
to  provid  our  sellvs  for  that  Imploym*  And  for  the  purpos  Hath 
fited  my  Hous  Accordingly ; and  provided  My  Selfe  With 
Lodgin  and  other  nesesarys  for  that  Imploym^ ; By  means  of  it  I 
am  mutch  in  Disburs ; Your  Poor  Petitioner  Humbly  Prays 
that  your  Honours  Would  Pleas  to  take  it  in  to  your  Considera- 
tion ; and  Grant  him  the  same  privelidg ; he  formerly  had  : of 
A Licen  to  sell  Beare  ; and  other  Provisions  ; for  the  refreshing 
of  strangers  ; and  others  : I should  not  have  desired  this  of  yor 
Honours  But  that  trading  is  very  dead  ; Espetially  for  those  of 


NEW  CASTLE. 


675 


my  Caling ; and  my  charg  of  children  great ; and  no  other  way 
to  maintain  them  but,  by  my  only  laubour  ; I hop  your  Honours 
will  be  pleased  to  take  it  in  to  your  Charitabell  consideration  ; 
our  former  licenc  proved  to  our  Disadvantag  by  meanes  of  the 
short  time  wee  followed  That  Imploym*  haveing  sutch  suden 
orders  as  wee  had  to  desist  from  selling  Bear  &c  have  not  in 
any  measur  Reimbursed  our  selves  what  have  beene  out  of 
pockett ; mutch  less  have  we  gott  aney  thing  By  it  so  Hopeing 
your  Honours  will  grant  this  your  Pettitioner  A Licenc  ; and 
your  Pore  Petitioner  shall  Ever  Pray  for  your  Honours  and 
SLibscrib  my  selfe 

your  Honours  most  Humbell  servant 

Joseph  Purmort 


1^7-144]  S^Refnonstrance  of  Portsmouth  Selectmen^  i682.'\ 

To  the  HoiP*^'^^  The  P'^'^sedent  and  Counil  now  Setting  in  Ports- 

m°  June  the  1682 

May  it  please  yo*"  Hon'"® 

In  Obedience  to  an  order  of  Councill  bearing  Date  the  2*^ 
May,  1682  Wee  Con  vend  the  Towm,  to  agitate  & Confer  about 
the  Settlment  of  a Minister  Llpon  the  great  Island  and  have 
taken  notice  of  the  Petition  p^'sented  yo’'  Hon”  by  Some  of  the 
Gent : men  of  S*^  Island,  who  Call  them-Selves  p’^sons  Unani- 
musly  chossen  by  ye  Inhabitants  for  that  End.  but  Upon  Agi- 
tation & Conference  the  Inhabitants  of  the  other  partes  of  the 
Town,  Culd  not  See  cause  to  Consent  to  the  motion  of  those  on 
great  Island  at  p^'sent,  for  Sundrye  Reasons. 

1 : The  Gen‘  of  Great  Island  are  equaly  ingaged  with  us  to 
the  payment,  of  One  Hundred  pound  per  Annum  to  Moody 
During  his  continuance  here,  we  then  advancing,  to  the  Utmost 
of  our  abillities,  for  the  promoting  of  so  Good  a work,  in  Ex- 
pectation of  being  Daily  Eased  by  the  Increasing  of  our  Inhab- 
itants and  Estates,  but  providence  of  Late  hath  not  So  SmiP 
Llpon  Us,  as  to  admitt  of  any  Addition  to  our  rates,  with  out 
preiudice  to  our  familes. 

2 : We  think  it  very  Unreasonable  they  Should  be  sollicitos 
for  the  setling  a new,  till  all  arrears  are  adiusted  with  the  old 
Minisf,  which  will  not  be  readly  Done,  by  reson  of  the  great 
aversion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island,  to  the  payment  of  the 
rats  now  in  the  Constable  hands  as  by  S*^  Constable  Complaints 
Doth  appeare,  when  that  is  Done,  together  with  what.  Con- 
cerns the  Town,  we  Shall  Studiously  endevor  the  Accomidation 
of  the  Great  Island,  as  far  as  may  Consist  w*^  the  Peace  and 
unety  of  the  Town. 

3 : We  are  veiy  fearfull  Should  this  be  admitted  it  would 


6/6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


tend  to  a great  Divission  in  the  Town,  for  Such  like  reasons- 
may  Greenland  Sandy  beach,  &c  : Desier  the  Same,  and  then 
how  far  we  Shall  be  able,  to  Comply  w‘^^  o''  Obligation  to  m'* 
Moody,  and  allow  Maintainance  to  others  in  the  Same  Capace- 
ty,  we  Humbly  Submitt  to  yo*"  Hon*'®  Judgm‘® 

4 : What  the  Gen*^  of  the  Island  Dessier  is  purely  for  their 
own,  with  out  respect  to  the  Towns  convenience,  but  when  the 
Intrest,  of  the  Whole,  and  a part  comes  in  Competition,  we 
leave  themselves  to  Judg  which  ought  to  be  pTer’d. 

How  Ever  we  are  not  insensable  of  the  Inconvenienc}^  at- 
tending the  Inhabitants,  of  the  Island,  in  Coming  to  meeting, 
intimated  in  theire  petition  ; & we  beg  them  to  be  So  Charita- 
ble to  beleive  we  Sympathise  with  them,  (but  to  their  Reasons 
we  would  Say  one  word) 

I : Concerning  the  profaning  of  the  Lords  Day  &c  and  (2^^) 
— abundance  liveing  with  out  ever  hearing  a Sermon  So  as 
they  will  grow  heathenish. 

We  Say,  the  Sabath  will  be  profaned  by  Some  whither  neare 
or  farther  oft)  but  one  Good  help  here  in  will  be  for  masfts  of 
ftamilies,  to  teach.  Si  Instruct  those  Under  their  care  and  gov- 
ernment, as  Christians  ought  to  Doe,  and  this  will  be  a means 
to  remedy  Heathenissim,  and  abate  much  of  the  profanity  of 
the  Sabath. 

ftbr  the  3^^  namely  Servants  Complaining  of  their  Labour 
& hazerding  health  if  not  lives,  we  would  Say  its  imposable  ; 
all  in  these  Scattering  towns.  Should  live  Equaly  convenient, 
to  the  meeting-house,  Sume  must  Undergoe,  more  then  others. 

But  the  meeting  house  was  Sett  where  it  is,  principally  for 
the  Convenience  of  the  Inhabitants  of  great  Island,  and  we 
never  heard,  and  hope  never  shall,  of  any  lives  Lost,  in  attemt- 
ing  to  come  to  meeting,  if  at  any  time,  there  Should  be  any 
Danger  of  that,  they  well  know  mercy  is  to  be  preferd  befor 
Sacrifise  as  to  his  Maj‘'®  fortification  being  Exposed  to  an  ene- 
mie  ; Scarce  one  Sufticient  man  Staying  at  home  &c. 

Wee  Humbly  leave  that  to  yo'  HoUs  in  time  of  wars  or  Dan- 
ger to  take  Such  care  as  in  yo'’  wisdome.  Shall  be  thought  meet, 
of  which  we  presume  they  need  not  Dout. 

These  with  other  considerations,  which  we  Culd  ofter,  give 

Humbly  of  Opinion,  that  the  motion  of  the  Gent  men  of 

great  Island  is  at  this  time  very  Unreasonable,  and  that  we  had 
rather  Unite  both  in  Church  & Town,  which  if  we  Doe,  Hope 
Sume  waye  may  be  found  out  in  Due  time,  to  gratifie  the 
GenE  of  great  Island  with  out  Dissatisfaction  to  the  rest  of  the 
Town. 


NEW  CASTLE.  6/7 

'[^7-147]  \_Pi'ecept  for  the  Election  of  an  Assemblyman  at 

Star  Island^  i6g4-d\ 

Hampsh*'  To  the  Constable  of  Star  Island  : 

Pursuant  to  a writt  from  the  Presid‘&  Councile  to  me  direct- 
■ed  these  are  in  their  Majest®  Names  to  require  you  upon  Re- 
ceipt hereof  to  give  publick  Notice  to  the  freeholders  of  your 
Island  that  thay  Convein  on  Munday  the  29^’^  Inst : by  10  of  the 
Clock  in  the  forenoone  of  the  Same  day  at  the  Usuall  place  of 
meeting  freely  & Indifferently  to  Elect  & Choose  one  htt  & dis- 
creet man  of  the  S*'  Island  (being  a freeholder  thereof)  w*’'  full 
& Sufficient  power  for  himself  & the  Comunity  of  the  s*^  Island 
to  be  a Generali  Assembly  for  the  S*^  Province  to  be  held  at 
N ew  Castle  on  thirsday  the  first  of  9 Next  Ensueing  it  being 
for  their  Majest®  Service  : and  to  returne  the  Names  of  the  per- 
-son  So  chosen  to  me  one  day  before  the  Sitting  of  s'^  Assembly 
as  you  will  answer  the  Contrary  at  your  perrill  : Gieven  und'’ 
my  hand  & seale  at  Portsm'’  Octob'’  24^*^  1694:  In  the  Sixth 
Year  of  their  Majests  Reigne 

Richard  Joses  sherff 

Star  Island  October  the  29^*^  1694 

According  to  the  within  Warrant,  the  ffree  houlders  of  this 
Island  Did  meet  and  Chuse  m*'  John  ffobes  For  assembelley 
Man  with  Suffecient  power  to  offetiat  in  that  (Station  or) 
place 

John  Bradon 


J7“i4S]  [^Relative  to  Town  Pounds.^ 

To  the  Hon’^^  Johi"!  Usher  Esq*"  his  Majis^®  LiP  GovenP  and 
Comander  in  Cheife  in  and  Over  the  province  of  Newhamp- 
sheir,  and  to  his  Majis‘®  HoiP^  Council  now  Sitting  at  New 
Castle 

The  Humble  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  theTowne  of  New 
‘Castle  most  Humbly  Sheweth  that  we  Your  Houn’’®  most  hum- 
ble petitioners  doe  make  bold  to  lay  before  You,  that  whereas 
Your  HouiF®  hath  bin  pleased  to  grant  us  to  be  a Township 
Caled  by  the  name  of  New  Castle  and  we  are  yet  Ignorant  of 
our  boundaries  Southerly  and  westerly  therby  not  Knowing  the 
number  of  our  Inhabitants  by  which  Cause  many  may  Escape 
their  Assesm‘® 

We  Your  most  Humble  petitioners  most  humbly  pray  that 
your  Houn’'®  would  be  pleased  to  give  Order  that  our  South 
boundaries  may  be  apointed  from  the  Creek  on  the  South  Side 
of  the  little  Boares-head  and  from  thence  Westerly  five  miles  or 
untill  we  meet  with  the  line  betweene  portsm®  and  New  Castle 


6;8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


we  being  as  Yet  much  Straightned  for  want  of  Comonage  and 
your  petitioners  Shall  Ever  pray 

Elias  Stileman 

Francis  Tucker  Selectmen 

James  Rendle  ) 


[7-149]  \_Precept  for  Election  of  Assemblymen^  i6gyJ\ 

New  hampshire  To  the  Constables  of  New  Castle 

By  Virtue  of  a presept  from  the  Honorable  John  Usher  Esq** 
Ltt  Governor  and  Comdr  in  Cheif  of  sd  province  & In  his 
Majes*®  Name  you  are  here  by  required  and  Comanded  on 
wedensday  next  Ensueing  at  ten  of  y®  Clock  in  y®  forenoon  to  as- 
semble all  the  ftree  houlders  of  your  Town  att  some  useall  Place 
of  meeting  then  there  to  make  Choice  of  Two  suficient  able 
men  to  Represent  your  Town  in  a Generali  assembly  to  be  held 
att  New  Castle  one  the  fiveteenth  of  this  Instant  Being  wensday 
next  Ensueing  att  tow  of  the  Clocke  in  the  Afternoon,  There  to- 
attend  his  Majes‘®  Servis  in  the  assembly  and  so  De  diem  in 
diem,  Dureing  There  Sestion  Or  Sestions  and  Make  Return  of 
the  Persons  Names  so  Chosen  to  me  on  weddensday  Next  by 
on  of  the  Clocke  in  the  after  Noon  w'^'^  this  presept  here  of  faile 
not  at  yo""  Perrill  Dated  New  Castle  in  the  province  aforsd 

May  the  i 1 695 

per  Theo’’  Attkinson  sheriff 

New  Castle  y®  15^*^  May  1695 

Then  Att  A Generali  Town  meeting  of  y®  Freeholders  Ac- 
cording to  the  within  precept  were  Chosen  For  Assembly  men 
Elias  Stileman  and  James  Rendle 

per  Thomas  Marchel  Constble 


[7-15 1 ] \_Summons  to  Assembly^nen^  i6g8i\ 

I have  Summands  Theoda  Atkcason  and  william  Seevy 
which  are  chouse  last  fridday  at  newcastell  for  a simbly  men  as 
witnes  my  hand 

Henry  Treuethan  constabell 
Newcastell  De  sembar  the  27:  1697 


[7-152]  [ Warrant  for  Militia  Muster^  jdp/.] 

[Seal] 

New  Castell  December  y®  1 i^97 
By  vertue  of  A warant  ffrom  John  Usher  Esq*'  LiP  Gov’’  &c.. 


NEW  CASTLE. 


679 


You  are  hereby  Required  in  his  Majsts  Name  ftbrthwith  warne 
the  Soldiers  on  the  Great  Island  to  appeare  at  his  Majsts  ffoart 
William  and  Mary  at  one  of  the  Clock  in  the  after  noone  Corn- 
pleat  in  theire  Armes  there  to  attend  theire  dutey  untill  ftarther 
order  Given  under  my  hand  and  Seale 

Shadrach  Walton  Cap* 

To  Jacob  Rendell  Ensigne 


[7“^53]  \^Retur7t  of  Ass e?nbly men ^ 

Province  of  Newhampshire 

Pursuant  To  A precept  from  The  Sheriff  of  This  province 
Dated  y®  Dec:  1698  Directed  To  The  Selectmen  of  New 
Castle  To  'Sumon  y®  freeholders  of  The  S^  Town  To  Choose 
and  Depute  one  or  more  men  As  The  Law  Directs  To  Repre- 
sent S^*  Town  In  A General  Court  or  Assembly  To  be  held 
and  kept  Att  New  Castle  on  Thursday  y®  5“^  Next  Ensue- 
ing 

These  may  Certifie  That  Accordingly  The  freeholders  were- 
Sumoned  on  y®  30*^^  Dec.  And  Accordingly  Mett  and  Then  Did 
Legally  Choose  and  Elect  James  Randell  and  Theodore  Att- 
kinson  To  Represent  S^*  Town  In  S^  Assembly  According  To 
The  precept  Above  mentioned  And  That  Those  Soe  Chosen 
have  been  notified  Thereof  and  Sumoned  To  Appear  According 
to  S'*  precept  by  The  Constable  of  This  Town  who  hath  Sub- 
scribed This  Return  As  A Testimony  thereof 

Theodore  Atkinson”) 

John  Foss  V Select  men 

James  Leach  ^ 

Jacob  Rendell  Constable 


[7-'54]  S^Col.  RotJier^  relative  to  Fort  Willia^n  and  Mary^ 

1704.'] 

To  the  HoiP*®  Her  Maj‘®  Councell  of  New  Hampsh® : In  Amer- 
ica 

The  Memoriall  of  Coll : Woolfgang  W"^  Romer  Her  Majestyes 
Cheife  Engineer  &c — 

Whearas  It  hath  pleased  his  Excellency  Gover*'  Dudley  to 
write  m'"  Secretary  Story  A leter  relatei ng  to  Her  Maje*®  ffort 
W"’  k.  Alary — And  the  Reasons  why  It  Is  highly  neccessary  that 
for  Her  Alaj**'  Service  and  the  Security  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
province  the  S'*  ffort  Shuld  be  out  of  hand  ffinished  and  that  the 
Councell  Shuld  let  me  have  all  such  men  As  I Shuld  want,  and 


68o 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


alsoe  being  Notifyed  by  m’’  Secretary  to  be  this  Day  the 
Honorable  Councell,  I thought  It  my  Duety  to  Inform  your 
Hon’’®  that  I am  not  In  A Capacity  by  Indisposednes  to  Appear 
there  to  Tender  this  Memoriall  to  that  Hon'^'®  board 

And  as  his  Excellency  mentioned  in  his  leter  of  the  Ins* 
that  the  drench  dbrces  by  Sea  and  land  Are  Designed  to  Invade 
this  part  of  America  and  therefore  urged  In  his  leter  to  finish 
the  ffort  abovenamed  forthwith  out  of  hand  And  As  winter  Is 
Soe  near  At  hand  I hope  this  board  will  one  And  Other  take 
into  Serious  Consideration  ; If  I had  had  the  Dispose  of  the 
Complement  of  laborers  and  Carpend’’®  As  I Demanded  Eleven 
weeks  Since  I beleave  the  ftbrt  by  this  time  had  been  finished, 
and  I Dobt  not  At  all  If  Every  body  Imployed  will  Doe  his 
Duety  As  I my  Self  Doe  (without  Jactance)  have  don  with  all 
the  zeale  Imaginable  and  A Slaveish  Service,  I Can  Doe  It 
Still  and  finish  It  In  thirty  laboring  Days  provided  that  his  Ex- 
cellenc3'es  orders  be  Executed  And  that  the  board  let  me  have 
thirty  six  laborers'And  twelve  Carpenders  that  understand  work- 
manship— and  If  m^  Westbrook  Doth  not  Deceve  me  About 
Some  small  mater  of  Timber  yet  behind  which  he  promised  In 
his  last  Contract  and  that  Cap*  Icabod  plaisted  Sends  me  275 
peices  for  Spiles  which  Is  yet  behind  of  his  promiss  to  me  Elev- 
en months  Agoe  Likewise  Cap*  Pickrin  Is  yet  behind  In  his 
promis  of  Spiles  some  of  Seven  some  Eight  feet  long  ; I have 
one  thing  more  to  Offer  to  this  board  which  Is  that  his  Excel- 
lencyes  order  may  be  put  In  Execu‘^”“  Which  he  made  last  time 
he  was  Att  S*^  ffort  Concerning  the  laborers  and  woi'k  men  In 
Generali,  That  they  Shuld  be  Punished  In  Case  they  Did  not 
perform  there  Duety  And  behaveed  themselves  Uncivilly  Against 
me  with  five  Dayes  labor  after  there  ten  Dayes  was  out,  soe  that 
I may  not  be  Exposed  to  such  Rude  and  Unmanerly  behavier 
As  I Mett  with  this  week — when  I told  one  of  them  viz.  Robert 
Smart  of  Exeter  w*^  was  ordered  on  his  not  Doeing  his  Duety 
he  answeared  me,  he  would  See  Comon  law  for  It  first  &c  : I 
hope  the  board  will  Observe  that  I Dont  live  In  this  Meletary 
Execution  of  her  Maj*'^  Service  In  building  Her  ftbrt  Under  the 
Comon  law  Which  would  be  Altogeather  Irronias  and  Contrary 
to  the  practice  of  urope  & other  parts  of  the  world  Which  Is  all 
what  I have  to  offer  Att  present 

New  Castle  y®  16  Sept  1704 

Wolfgang  W"^  Romer 


[7-155]  [ Col.  Hofnei'^s  Memo^'ial.,  z/oy.] 

To  the  HonU®  Her  Maj**®®  Councill  now  Assembled  at  Ports- 
mouth.— 


NEW  CASTLE. 


68  I 


May  it  please  Yo’’  Hon*'® 

I find  my  selft' oblidged  to  notefye  toYo’’  Hon''®  that  there  is  6 
or  7 weeck^  worck  more  to  do  at  Her  Maj‘'®®  Fort  will"'  & Mary 
and  that  all  materials  in  the  major  part  are  ready  at  hand  there, 
for  that  finishing  part,  and  whereas  the  Assembly,  by  their  last 
Sessions,  could  not  rayse  anny  supply  of  mony  for  that  service, 
which  is  y®  only  obstackle  that  His  ExcelF  could  not  resolve  on 
that  head,  I therefore  by  Just  raysons  generously  resolved  in  or- 
der to  take  that  obstackle  away  of  no  mony  in  the  Treasury  to 
advance  the  mony  necessary  out  of  my  one  Estate. — 

Now  to  promote  this  important  afiaire  for  ower  Great  Qiieens 
service  & the  Publick  interesst,  I therefore  desire  Yo*^  Hon''®  that 
You  will  please  to  make  an  efiectuall  adres  to  His  ExcelF  that 
he  maybe  pleasetl  to  order  matters  thus,  that  I may  under  a due 
protection  finishe  the  Fort  as  aforesaid,  and  to  consider  that 
whereas  there  is  no  mony  granted:  sume  worck  halfi' finished, 
together  with  y®  damage  by  the  last  violent  storm  & high  water 
donne,  will  be  of  verry  bad  consequence,  if  not  althogether  in 
every  respect  prouve  fatall ; (which  if  should  happen  the  fault 
can  not  be  myn  :)  in  cas  it  should  not  be  finished  at  present  & 
the  damage  as  before  hinted  mended,  which  all  I leave  to  Yo'' 
Hon''®  Serious  considerations,  and  I shall  alwais  remain  the 
Same  as  have  been  hittheronto 
Yo''  HoiF® 

Most  humble  Serv* 

Wolfgang  W'"  Romer 

Portsmout  Jun  y®  5 : 1705 


[7-156]  \_Supplies for  Soldiers^  7705.] 

Newcastle  July  y®  26^^  ^7^5 

This  Is  to  sertifie  whome  it  may  Conserne  that  Mr  Sam^'  pen- 
hollow  Treasurer  hath  supplyed  several  labourers  att  Her  Maj- 
estys  fort  W and  Mary  full  allowance  Victuals  and  Drinck  one 
hundred  and  twenty  six  days. 

Wittnes 

G.  Redknap  Engener 


[7“^57]  '^Relative  to  a Bridge^  777^.] 

Province  New  Hampshire 

To  His  Excellency  Sam*^  Shute  Esq''  Cap‘  Gen^  & Gov''  in  Cheife 
in  & over  his  Maj‘®  S*^  Province  & Vice  admirall  of  the  Same 
& to  the  HoiP^®  The  Councill  & house  of  Representatives  Now 
Setting  in  Gen'^  Assembly — 


682 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


The  Memoriall  of  Sundry  His  Loyall  & Good  Sub- 

jects of  y*  town  of  New  Castle  Most  Humbly  Remonstrates 

That  Whereas  the  Governm‘  in  y®  Reigne  of  our  Late  Sover- 
aigne  King  Charles  y®  of  Blessed  Memory,  Did  Under  the 
wise  & good  Conduct  of  Edward  Cranfeild  Esq*"  then  Gov*"  of 
S*^  Province,  order  Erect  & build  a Bridge  Over  v*^  branch  of 
Pi  sc“  River  Cal’d  y*^  ferry  or  fording  place  of  Little  Harbour, 
and  that  for  y®  Gen^^  Good  & Benifitt  of  all  his  Maj‘*  Good  Sub- 
jects, in  Saving  Six  Miles  travill  at  least,  from  Hampton  to 
York  & So  further  East,  as  also  a Much  better  & Safe  Road  in 
time  of  Warr  & also  that  His  Maj‘®  Fort  on  the  Island  May  be 
Soon  Relei v’d  in  Case  of  an  Attack  from  forreign  Enemies,  as 
also  to  prevent  that  Common  & frequent  Practice  of  Wronging 
y®  King  of  thee  Revenues  & P‘  Duties  Lay’d  on  Goods  Import- 
ed Whereby  his  Maj‘®  Governm*^  Might  (&  ought)  to  be  Sup- 
ported, & that  to  Ease  to  all  his  Maj‘®  Well  Meaning  Subjects  in 
y®  Province,  the  Which  Bridge  Did  then  prevent,  (until  the 
Providence  of  God  did  by  a Very  Great  Storme  &c  break  & 
Carry  away  S"^  Bridge,)  Since  which  his  Maj‘^  & all  his  Good 
& faire  Dealing  Subjects  hath  been  Much  Impeded  & hurt  in 
their  Just  Duty  & trade  by  Unfair  Dealers  Stealing  into  that 
Creek  to  Defraud  the  King  & y®  Province  of  y®  Duty  & Impost, 
and  for  as  much  as  our  late  L‘  Gov'’  & Comand'’  in  Cheif,  ColP 
Usher,  with  the  Consent  of  y®  Councill,  Did  Incorporate  the  In- 
habitants of  G‘  Island  & Sandy  beach  into  a town  Cal’d  New 
Castle,  with  Severall  priveledges,  as  per  Charter  Inrold,  where- 
by We  are  Oblig’d  by  Law  to  Repair  all  Bridges  and  high 
Waies  within  S'^  Boundaries,  of  y®  Charter  & for  as  Much  as  y® 
Said  Inhabitants  found  Upon  Serch  that  they  Ought  to  Repair 
or  Rebuild  S^^  Bridge,  thev  Did  in  March  1712  Raise  Mony  by 
Publick  Subscription  to  Cary  on  So  Good  a Work,  but  finding 
y®  People  So  poor  y‘  Could  Not  Accomplish  S*^  Work  them- 
selves, Whereupon  Severall  Worthy  Gen‘  of  this  & y®  Neigh- 
bouring Province  Subscrib’d  their  hands  & Promised  large 
Mony  to  help  Carry  on  So  Good  A Work,  & Accordingly  y® 
Greatest  part  of  y®  timber,  was  Got  & brought  Nigh  the  place 
on  Rafts,  but  was  by  Some  Wicked  & Unwarrantable  hand 
Cutt  Loose  & turn’d  a Drift,  & we  his  Maj‘®  Good  Subj‘®  & y® 
Country  in  Generali,  Much  hurt,  & was  then  & hath  been  Ever 
Since  threatned  y‘  if  we  went  on,  they  would  Cutt  it  Down 
Even  in  a Publick  Manner  & by  force  & Arms,  Upon  which 
we  Remonstrated  the  Matter  to  our  late  Gov'’  ColP  Dudley, 
whose  Act  on  the  Matter  we  Now  Lay  before  you,  where  you 
will  See  the  first  part,  or  Introduction  to  ye  Petition,  we  have 
been  Serv’d  With,  b}"  S'^  papers,  proved  to  be  false  & quite  the 
Reverse 

2^-^  As  to  the  Qriery  in  S'^  Petition,  its  Very  Strange  & odd 


NEW  CASTLE. 


683 


for  Men  to  Query  wheither  a thing  Can  be  Done  that  hath  been 
Done,  and  then  to  Call  that  the  Main  river  of  Little  Harbour, 
& to  Say  its  Navigable  Up  to  the  Bridge  its  a Very  Great  Mis- 
take, for  that  we  Do  wade  Over  frequently,  & When  the  tide  is 
up  Swim  our  horses  for  want  of  a Bridge,  the  ferry  Never  be- 
ing Kept  as  it  Ought  to  be,  & that  because  the  Right  thereof  is 
Disputable,  as  May  Appear  if  Need  be,  tho  he  who  of  Right  it 
belongs  to  Does  Relinquish  it  for  y®  Sake  of  S'^  Bridge 

and  for  as  Much  as  your  Qiierest  there  Sayes  it’s  Not  Justifi- 
able Nor  practi’ble  to  build  a Bridge  a Cross  any  Navigable 
River,  (its  plain  its  both)  for  that  within  our  own  town  & Prov- 
ince, its  Done,  particularly  at  y*^  branch  Cal’d  Sevey’s  Creek, 
Stands,  a tide  Mill  & a fast  Dam,  which  Very  Much  Incom- 
modes y®  Inhabitants  of  New  Castle  from  Bringing  of  their 
Wood  from  y®  Common  Land,  but  for  further  Illustration,  there 
is  fast  Bridges  over  both  branches  of  Llampton  River  which  is 
More  Navigable,  & hurtfull  to  those  people,  because  they  have 
No  Other  Way  Up  to  their  Estates  which  these  have,  as  also  at 
Newberry  Lyn  & Mistick,  & Sundry  Others  as  Cape  Anne 
Cambridge  &c‘‘  and  for  as  Much  as  this  Bridge  at  New  Castle 
No  Wales  hinders  Vessells  Comming  in  to  the  S‘^  Little  Har- 
bour for  Safety  if  Need  be  in  a Storm. 

And  for  answer  to  y®  first  Assertion,  in  S^^  Petition,  in  GeU'^ 
terms,  its  a Mistake  for  first  the  ferry  as  afores'^  is  Not  Setled 
on  the  Person  whome  they  pretend  for  that  it  has  been  Kept 
(as  they  have  Kept  it)  by  another  & that  there  Never  Was  a 
high  Way  Laid  out  through,  that  proprietors  land  Neither  is 
that  Casway  fit  for  a horse  to  pass  over, 

2'y  as  to  the  Inhabitants  passing  & repassing  ferrage  free  on 
Publick  Daies,  its  wrong,  for  that  the  town  payes  it  & that  or- 
dered by  a Publick  Vote  & tho  it  is  p^^  by  y®  town  yet  Sundry 
y®  Inhabitants  of  New  Castle  On  Sandy  beach  Side,  are  as  they 
have  Often  pretended  (&  we  beleave  Some  truth  in)  So  Much 
put  to  Difficulty,  to  Come  over,  with  themselves  & their  little 
ones  that  they  Chuse  Rather  to  Neglect  the  Publick  Worship  of 
God,  than  to  Come  Over  to  hear  their  own  Minister,  & Even 
Wholly  Neglect  y®  Ordinances  App^^  for  themselves  & Chil- 
dren, Unless  Some  Now  Sl  then,  to  Save  being  presented  Ride 
Up  to  Portsm®  tho  other  Arguments,  & false  Insinuations,  hath 
been  Used  to  Insnare  Ignorant  people  to  Signe  against  the 
bridge  (to  wit)  that  we  InteiuP  to  hinder  boats  of  Hay  wood 
&c“  to  Pass  & Repass,  & that  it  was  to  be  a Province  Charge, 
which  Poor  people  alreadv  burthen’d  with  the  Charge  of  y® 
Publick  taxes,  groons  under  &thatNCastle  would  have  itatole 
bridge  & Ingross  the  Benifitt  to  themselves, 

3^*  That  y®  Want  of  the  Bridge  will  be  a Security  in  Case  of 
a War,  is  Very  Inconsistent  with  reason,  and  has  been  Suffi- 


684 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ciently  ans^  by  all  our  former  Gov''®  Masters  of  y®  ordnance  & 
Ingineers  as  also  y®  having  it  is  a Great  advantage  to  his  Maj‘® 
in  y®  Customs  as  per  Rob‘  Armstrong  EsqMiis  Memoriall,  Laid 
before  ColL  Dudly  & the  Commissioners  at  home, 

That  Whereas  Sundry  persons,  have  Laid  Out,  their 
Estates,  in  the  fishery  Who  they  Say  Must  be  Unavoidably 
Ruined  per  Stopping  their  pass"'  when  its  Evedent  that  they 
Could  Never  Could  Come  in,  that  Way  Unless  Just  at  high 
water,  and  then  it  is  alwaies  as  Good  & a Much  Safer  Way  for 
them  to  Come  in  at  y®  Main  Harbour,  but  were  the  Case  So 
we  humbly  Conceive  that  tw'o  or  three  private  Interests  Should 
Not  abridge  y®  Publick  advantage  of  a Country. 

5^^  as  to  the  Ice  Jamming  at  y®  bridge  its  Wrong  to  Imagine 
that,  for  that  the  Narrow’s  above  ahvaies  breakes  & Shatters 
the  Ice,  So  y‘  it  will  Run  through  any  one  of  y®  Sluces  of  y® 
Bridge, 

6'^  As  to  that  Unspeakable  hardship,  which  is  So  Emphati- 
cally Express’d  & lookt  Upon  to  be  y®  Greatest  Injury  that  y® 
Pef®  Set  forth  as  Sufferers  by  S*^  Bridge,  is  answered  in  Every 
Article  for  that  their  Will  be  ten  Sluces  fitting  for  any  hay  or 
Wood  boat  to  pass  8i  Repass, 

& that  if  y*"  Excellency  & Hoff®  & Gentlemen  of  y®  Assembly 
had  Ever  requir’d  A Number  of  hands,  to  this  Remonstrance 
We  Do  Assure  you  that  we  Could  have  had  50  to  one  for 
building  y®  Bridge,  & those  to  be  Men  of  Honour,  Justice  & 
Estate  & well  Dispos’d  to  Serve  the  Publick  Weal  & Welfaire, 
& Not  Men  out  of  a private  Sinister  End  Either  to  Defraud  the 
King  of  his  Dues,  or  Else  for  the  Sake  of  Engrossing  y®  trade. 
& traffick  of  y®  Country  people 

And  therefore  your  Memorialest,  humbly  prayes.  their  May 
be  No  Stop  or  hindrance  put  to  S^  Bridge 

New  Castle  Aprill  30^*"  1719 

Hugh  Reed  Select  in  behalf  of  y*  Rest 

Theo  : Atkinson 

Jn®  ffrost 

John  Watkins 

Jotham  odiorne 


1^7-158]  \_Petition  of  Rev.  John  Blunt 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq''  Governour  and 
Commander  in  cheif  in  and  over  his  majesties  Province  of 
New  Plampshire  to  His  majesties  Council  & HoiP^®  House  of 
Representatives  in  General  Court  assembled  The  Petion  of 
John  Blunt  Humbly  sheweth 


NEW  CASTLE. 


685, 


That  being  informed  it  has  been  offered  by  sundry  Gentlem*^ 
as  an  argument  against  paying  the  Annum  Due  from  the 
Province  to  the  minister  of  New-Castle  Due  (by  an  act  of  the 
General  Court  in  the  12th  year  of  King  George  the  first)  that  It 
was  what  Is  never  Expected  at  His  first  Settling  in  this  Place 
He  begs  Leave  to  asure  y“*  that  It  was  what  he  Expected  from 
his  first  Settlem’t  to  be  assure  to  him  as  his  Salary  from  the 
Town  or  otherwise  had  never  Settled  with  y”'  on  Such  terms 
that  he  has  all  along  looked  on  himself  as  a Common  Sufferer 
with  those  to  whom  the  Province  has  been  Indebted  for  these 
Several  years  Past  and  y‘  to  be  at  last  denied  the  Paym*  of  what 
he  has  been  So  long  Expecting  would  be  a matter  truly  Sur- 
prising and  grievouse — That  He  has  given  Constant  attendance 
to  the  Souldery  at  y®  fort  as  to  his  Parishoners  and  tho  So  small 
a Number  yet  Such  has  been  the  Sickess  of  them  and  their  fam- 
ilies for  these  2 years  past  more  Especialy  that  it  has  taken  up 
no  inconsiderable  Part  of  his  time  to  attend  y“^  So  that  if  there 
had  been  no  act  of  the  Governm’t  to  Pay  any  thing  to  him  on 
that  account  he  cant  but  think  it  reasonable  that  he  sh’d  have 
been  Satisfied  for  his  Labour.  In  as  much  as  no  man  goeth  a 
warfare  at  his  own  charge  and  the  Labourer  is  worthy  of  his 
hire,  which  Is  humbly  offered  to  Consideration  by  the  Sub- 
scriber— 

John  Blunt 

New  Castle  march  30*'^  ^737 

Read  and  recommended 

R Waldron  Sec’’^ 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  April  i,  1737,  “Voted  to  be  dismissed.’^ 
—Ed.] 


[7-159]  \^Rev.  Stephe7i  Chase  accepts  a call  to  the  Mhiistry^ 

VjO.] 

To  the  Hon’^^  Joseph  Newmarch  and  Thomas  Bell  Esq’’®  and 
Docfi  Nath*  wSargent  Committee — to  Communicate  to  the 
Parish  at  your  Next  Meeting — 

Gentlemen 

Whereas  what  was  thought  to  be  the  Intention  of  this  Parish 
was  sometime  ago  Signified  to  me  by  a Number  of  its  Inhabi- 
tants, and  Since,  this  Church  and  Parish  have  made  Choice  of 
me  for  their  Gospel  Minister,  which,  with  what  you  have  done 
for  the  Support  of  me  and  Mine  among  you,  as  doth  Appear  by 
your  Votes,  I have  taken  under  Consideration,  and  do  Chear- 
fully  Accept  your  Call ; Earnestly  Intreating  the  great  Head  of 


686 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


all  Divine  Influences  that  my  Comeing  among  you  may  be  in 
the  fullness  of  the  Blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ — that  we 
may  be  helpers  of  each  others  Joy  while  here,  and  Rejoice  to- 
gether forever  hereafter 

I Subscribe  yours  to  Serve  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ 

I Stephen  Chase 

New  Castle  September  24^^ 

New  Castle  May  26^^  i77^  ^ Copy 

Examined — per  Henry  Prescott  T Clk 


[R.  3-22]  \_Petition  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Sargent.,  ^74^') 
dressed  to  the  General  Assembly.^ 

Most  Humbly  shews  That  your  Memoralist  was  in  the  late 
Expedition  against  Louisbourg  as  a Physician  and  Chirurgion 
in  the  Regiment  that  went  out  of  this  Province,  That  he  was  in 
the  Service  Five  months  and  Twenty  days.  That  he  had  for 
some  time  after  landing  on  the  Island  of  Cape  Briton  the  sole 
care  and  charge  of  the  said  Regiment  as  Physician  and  Chirur- 
gion, That  he  was  oblig’d  to  tarry  in  the  Camps  out  of  the  City 
Ten  days  after  it  was  Surrendered  to  look  after  and  take  care  of 
upwards  of  Thirty  Sick,  and  wounded  persons  having  no  per- 
son or  persons  to  aid  and  assist  him  therein  That,  there  is  due 
unto  your  Memoralist  of  his  Allowance  whilest  in  the  above 
service  as  follows  Narn’ly  Forty  Seven  days  bread.  Twenty 
Seven  days  Meat  and  peas  and  his  whole  allowance  of  Rum 
except  One  quart  and  half  a pint  That  your  Memoralist  made 
use  of  his  own  Instruments  during  the  whole  time  of  his  being 
in  the  said  service. 

Wherefore  your  Memoralist  most  humbly  prays  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  to  consider  this  Memorial  and  to  make  your 
Memoralist  such  Allowance  as  may  be  thought  just  and  reason- 
able and  your  Memoralist  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 
&c — 

May  12^^  174^’ 

Nath^  Sargent 

[He  was  allowed  enough  to  make  with  what  had 

before  been  paid  him, — Ed.] 


[R.  3-23]  \^Petition  of  foseph  Langmaid.,  Soldier., 
addressed  to  the  Ge7zeral  Assembly 

The  Memorial  of  Joseph  Langmaid  a Soldier  in  the  Fort 


NEW  CASTLE.  687 

William  and  Mary  in  New  Castle  in  said  Province  most  Plum- 
bly  shews. 

That  your  Memorialist  has  been  in  said  Fort  near  Fifty  years, 
and  have  always  endeavour’d  to  fulfil  the  Duty  in  the  Capacity 
I sustained,  and  am  now  render’d  incapable  of  serving  any  long- 
er per  I'eason  of  my  Advanc’d  Age,  and’  A very  bad  Ulcer  in 
my  Legg  that  has  been  of  long  continuance  And  the  Chyrur- 
geon  that  has  the  care  of  it  is  of  Opinion  that  it  will  never  be 
cured  ; unless  I am  put  into  A Salivation  or  a cource  of  Physick 
that  nearly  resembles  it  which  will  be  very  expensive  and  al- 
most insupportable  for  me  in  my  present  weekness  of  Body  and 
Advanc’d  Age  ; And  if  it  should  be  thought  that  I could  under- 
go such  an  Operation  I can’t  in  reason  expect  it  because  I have 
nothing  to  make  any  person  satisfaction  for  such  great  trouble 
and  expence  The  necessitous  circumstances  I am  reduc’d  to,  for 
want  of  the  comon  necessaries  of  Life,  such  as  Meat,  Drink 
Clothing  and  Firewood  mak’s  my  case  extreemly  miserable. 
The  Wages  I have  received  from  time  to  time  have  been  quite 
insufficient  to  afford  anything  comfortable  only  a small  support 
from  Hand  to  Mouth  ; and  being  constantly  imploy’d  in  said 
Fort  have  nothing  laid  up  either  more  or  less  to  depend  upon. 
Therefore  your  Memorialist  most  tiumbly  prays  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  to  consider  of  this  Memorial,  And  to  make 
your  Memorialist  such  necessary  provision  for  his  future  sup- 
port as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  proper.  And  your 
Memorialist  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray,  &c. — 

bis 

Joseph  -{-  Langmaid 

mark 

New  Castle  Decern*'  y®  17^'^  ^75^ 


[7-161]  \_Petition  of  JoJm  Odior7ie^Jr.^fora  Divorce^  ad- 
dressed to  the  General  Assefubly^  zyyp.] 

Humbly  sheweth,  John  Qdiorne  Jnr  of  New  Castle  in  the 
Province  aforesaid  Marriner,  That  on  or  about  the  25^'*  day  of 
July  1753?  he  was  Joyned  in  Marriage  with  Eunice  Seavey  of 
Rye  in  said  Province  Spinster.  That  on  or  about  the  month  of 
December  following  the  said  Eunice  was  Delivered  of  a Child 
born  of  her  body,  which  in  the  nature  of  things  your  Petitioner 
could  not  Possibly  be  the  father  off]  because  the  said  child  was 
what  is  called  a Molato,  and  consequently  was  begotten  by  For- 
nication and  is  a Bastard — Ever  since  wich  your  Petitioner 
hath  been  deprived  of  the  Comforts  and  Conjugal  affection  he 
expected  by  Reason  of  his  Marriage  as  aforesaid,  and  hath  not 
Cohabited  with  her  since — and  as  the  word  of  God  expressly 


688 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


says  that  a man  shall  not  put  away  his  wife  save  for  the  Cause 
of  Fornication  so  in  this  case  he  apprehends  it  lawfull,  and  as 
he  Cannot  put  her  away  unless  authorized  by  this  H’on*’^  Court, 
Wherefore  Your  Petitioner  prays  the  advisement  of  this  HoiF^ 
Court  in  the  premises — and  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  put  her 
away  and  have  his  said  marriage  disannulled,  that  he  may  be 
at  liberty  to  marry  again  if  he  sees  Cause  & have  liberty  to 
bring  in  a bill  accordingly,  and  your  Petitioner  shall  as  in  Duty 
bound  ever  pray 

Dec--  i6,  1755. 

his 

John  X Odiorne  Junr 

mark 

witness  Cutt  Shannon 

[Said  Odiorne  presented  the  following  indenture  as  evi- 
dence, and  was  granted  “ leave  to  bring  in  a bill,”  but  I do 
not  find  any  act  decreeing  the  divorce. — Ed.] 

[7-160]  \_Eunlce  Odiorne  binds  out  her  Child;  a Unique 

Indenture^  vyy^.] 

This  Indenture  Witnesseth 

that  1 unes  odhorn  of  the  parish  of  Rye  in  the  provance  of 
New  hampshur  in  Nuengland  doth  put  and  bind  my  melater 
Child  which  is  called  lushe  hamsher  unto  obdiar  masten  and 
his  wife  Elisabath  of  the  North  parish  of  hamtown  in  the 
provance  aforsaid  and  the  said  melater  child  to  sarve  after 
the  maner  of  an  apprintice  to  dwell  and  scarve  from  the  day 
of  the  date  hearof  for  and  during  the  full  and  just  term  of 
twenty  fife  years  which  will  be  Ended  in  the  year  of  ouer  Lord 
1779  and  on  febuary  the  fust  day  next  insuen  the  date  and  fully 
to  be  Compleated  and  Ended  during  all  wdiich  said  terme  the 
said  apprentis  hur  said  master  and  mistress  honestly  and  faith- 
fully shorl  serve  ther  secrets  keep  close  ther  lawful  and  Reason- 
able Commands  Every  whear  gladly  do  and  perform  dameiges 
to  said  master  and  mistres  she  shall  not  wilfuly  do  hur  masters 
and  mistres  goods  she  shall  not  waste  Embzel  purloine  or  lend 
unto  others  nor  sufer  the  same  to  be  wasted  or  purloined  but  to 
hur  power  shall  forthwith  discover  and  make  known  the  same 
unto  the  said  obdiar  masten  and  his  Wife  hur  master  and  mis- 
tres taverns  or  ale  houses  she  shall  not  frequent  at  Cards  dise  or 
any  other  unlawful  game  she  shall  not  play  fornication  she  shall 
not  commit  nor  mattimony  contract  with  any  person  during  the 
said  time  frome  her  master  and  mistres  sarves  she  shall  not  at 
any  time  unlawfully  absent  hur  self  but  in  all  things  as  a good 
honest  and  faithful  sarvent  and  apprentice  shall  bear  and  behave 


NEW  CASTLE. 


689 


hurself  towords  hur  said  master  and  mistres  during  the  full  term 
of  the  twenty  fife  years  comminsed  as  aforsaid  and  the  said  ob- 
diar  masten  and  his  wife  Elisabath  for  themselves  doth  Cove- 
nant promas  grant  and  agree  unto  and  with  the  said  apprintes 
in  maner  and  form  following  that  is  to  say  that  we  will  previd 
for  and  unto  the  said  apprentice  good  and  sufficint  meat  drink 
and  logen  fit  for  an  printes  during  said  time  and  at  the  end  of 
the  said  term  to  dismis  said  apprentis  in  testimony  whearof  the 
said  partis  to  these  present  indentures  have  interchangeably  set 
thear  hands  and  seals  the  fust  day  of  febwar}^  in  the  twenty  sev- 
enth year  of  the  Reign  of  ouer  Sovereign  lord  gorge  the  second 
bye  the  grace  of  god  king  of  grat  britan  frans  and  irland  and  in 
the  year  of  our  lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  fouer 

mark 

unes  X odhorn 

signed  sealed  and  dlivered  in  presance  of 
Richard  Rand 
Molly  Rollins 

prsh  of  Rye  desinber  24  day  1755 

obdiah  marsten  and  his  wif  Elezbath  marsten  apered  Before 
me  and  mad  oth  tht  on  the  first  day  of  febwary  1744  the  above 
syd  marsten  and  wif  had  a melto  women  child  of  unes  odern  of 
Rye  Bound  to  tham  and  declard  to  the  Bast  of  their  knolag  she 
was  a melato  Child 

Richerd  Jennes  iustes  peas 


[7-162]  \_Relafive  to  Tax  on  Abi'aham  Trefetheji^ s 

To  the  Hon^‘®  his  Maj®  Council  & the  House  of  Representatives 

in  General  Assembly  conven’d  at  Portsmouth  y®  5^*'  day  of 

December  1763 

A Petition  in  favor  of  the  Select-Men  of  New-Castle  humbly 
Shews  that  Geo : Frost  Esqr  hath  Industriously  propagated 
among  the  Inhabitants  of  Said  New-Castle,  that  in  the  last  Pro- 
portion made  by  this  Court  The  Mills  owned  by  Cap^  Abraham 
Trefethen  of  Said  Town  were  injoyned  to  pay  £400 — wdiich 
has  made  great  Uneasiness  in  S*^  Town  And  in  defiance  of  all 
that  can  be  Said  or  done,  as  a Certificate  from  the  Secretary, 
Clerk  of  the  House,  and  what  is  w’rote  at  the  foot  of  the  Pro- 
portion, and  every  other  Explanation  (for  the  whole  Taxation 
on  New-Castle  is  but  £500 — for  Trade,  Short  Inventory 
Yet  M’’  Frost  insists  Still  on  what  he  Says  to  be  right  and  that 
some  of  the  Select-Men  knows  it  to  be  so,  wdiich  has  disturbed 
the  Peace  of  the  Town  to  Such  a degree  that  the  Select-Men 
have  Postponed  making  the  Town  Taxes  till  Such  an  Explana- 


690 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


tion  of  the  Matter  from  this  Court  as  may  convince  M*'  Frost  (if 
He  may  be  capeable  of  conviction)  and  restore  Peace  and  tran- 
quility to  the  Town  again  : which  is  what  hereby  is  desired  & 
prayed  for  by  this  Petition  & what  the  Select-Men  in  Duty  are 
obliged  to  ask — 

Jos.  Newmarch  in  behalf  of  y®  Select:  Men 


[7-163]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  Ministerial  matterSj 

7772.] 

At  a Parish  Meeting  of  New  Castle,  Notified  by  the  Consta- 
ble M*'  John  Pridham,  to  Call  & Settle  a Gospell  Minister  for 
said  Parrish,  held  July  175O5  According  to  Notification, 
mett  at  Ten  A Clock  a forenoon, — 

Voted  Joseph  Newmarch  Esq*'  Moderator  The  meeting  Ad- 
journed ’till  three  A Clock  afternoon  the  same  Day. — 

Jos  : Newmarch  Mod*" 

At  Three  a Clock  afternoon  Eodem  Die  the  Parrish  mett 
According  to  the  Adjournment 

Voted  the  Parrish  be  Supply’d  with  a Gospell  Minister 
Voted  That  the  Gospell  Minister  of  this  Parrish  have  for  his 
Support  Fifty  Pounds  Sterling  per  Annum  to  be  paid  him 
According  to  Exchange,  Moreover  the  Parsonage  & Contribu- 
tion of  Strangers. — 

The  Meeting  Adjourned  ’till  the  third  Monday  the  2o‘^  Au- 
gust Next — 

Jos  : Newmarch  Mod*" 

At  New  Castle  Parrish  Meeting  held  Tuesday  the  i8‘^  Day 
of  September  at  10  of  the  Clock  forenoon  1750  According  to 
Notification  Dated  the  15*^  Instant  1750  To  Choose  Call  & Set- 
tle a Gospell  Minister  in  Said  Parrish. — 

Voted  Joseph  Newmarch  Esq*'  Moderator 
Voted  The  Rev*^  M*'  Stephen  Chase  to  be  a Gospell  Minister 
in  & for  the  abovesaid  Parrish — 

Voted  The  aforesaid  m*"  Stephen  Chase  for  his  Support  Dur- 
ing his  Ministry  in  this  said  Parrish  shall  have  Fifty  Pounds 
Sterling  per  Annum  to  be  Annually  p*^  him  According  to  Ex- 
change, The  Contribution  of  Strangers  & the  Parsonage  House 
& Lands  Agreeable  to  a former  Vote. — 

Voted  Joseph  Newmarch  Esq*'  Tho®  Bell  Esq*'  & Docf  Nath' 
Sargent  a former  Committee  be  Confirmed,  and  with  Power  to 
Treat  with  m*'  Stephen  Chase,  to  Receive  his  Answer  and 
Make  Report  thereof 

New  Castle  May  22*^  1772  a true  Copy  taken  from  New  Cas- 
tle Records — Test' — Henry  Prescott  T Clk 


NEW  CASTLE.  69 1 

[7—165]  S^Petition  for  an  Allowance  for  the  Privilege  of  Sol- 
diers attending  CJmrch^  ^773 

To  The  Honarable  House  of  Assembly 

Gentlemen,  as  The  Town  of  New  Castle  was  Divided  in- 
to Two  parishes,  and  the  Same  Act  that  Set  off  the  Parish  of 
Rye  From  New  Castle,  granted  To  the  Town  of  New  Castle. 
Twenty  Four  pound  p*’  Annum  to  be  paid  out  of  The  Publick 
Excise  and  as  this  Honarable.  House.  Saw  meet  Last  year  to 
grant  to  the  Town  of  New  Castle  Thirty  pound  in  full  For  Said 
Act. 

Therefore  your  petisioners  pray  that  your  Honours  will  Con- 
sider us  on  the  great  Advantage  that  the  Solders  has  on  At- 
tending the  publick  worship  of  God  at  the  Meeting  house  in 
New  Castle  and  grant  us  So  much  as  you  Gentlemen  Shall 
think  proper,  payable  to  the  Selectmen  of  New  Castle  towards 
Supporting  the  Gospel  Ministry  in  Said  Towti 
In  Behalf  of  the  Town 

New  Castle  26  May  i773 

Tho®  Bell  ) Q 1 f A/r 
T , o-  } Select  Men 

John  Simpson  ) 

[They  were  allowed  fifty  shillings  per  annum. — Ed.] 


[7-166]  \_New  Castle  Co?nmittee  relative  to  Harbor  De- 
fences^ /yyd.] 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  Hon*’’^  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
said  Colony  in  General  Assembly  convened  June  5”^  — 

The  humble  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  a Committee  in 
Behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Castle  in  the  County  of 
Rockingham  in  the  Colony  aforesaid — Sheweth  That  the  In- 
habitants of  s^^  Newcastle  being  by  their  Insular  Situation  at  the 
Entrance  of  the  only  Flarbour  in  the  Colony  and  by  their  De- 
fenceless condition  peculiarly  exposed  to  the  attacks  & ravages 
of  the  Enemy — the  last  fall  did  remove  themselves  and  Effects 
into  the  Country,  where  with  great  Difficulty  & Expence  they 
procured  houses  to  reside  in  during  the  last  Winter — In  this 
Situation  having  expended  in  the  Support  of  their  Families, 
their  little  Savings  Notwithstanding  the  alarming  Aspect  of 
Public  Affairs,  were  obliged  to  Return,  this  Spring,  to  their 
old  Habitations,  Where  they  yet  remain  in  a very  dangerous  & 
defenceless  Situation,  without  a Bridge,  by  means  of  which  a 


6Q2 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Retreat  might  be  secured  for  the  Inhabitants  and  the  Colony 
Troops  Stationed  there  in  case  of  any  Emergence  it  should  be 
found  Necessary,  & without  any  Batteries  Fortifications  or  Can- 
non for  Defence — As  Newcastle  is  the  Key  to  this  Colony,  the 
Securing  the  Possession  thereof,  cannot  be  thought  of  less  Im- 
portance to  the  Colony  ; than  the  Acquisition  of  it  must  be  to 
the  Enemy,  In  order  to  secure  the  Lives  & Interest  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  the  Colony  in  general  & of  the  Inhabitants  of  said  New- 
castle & the  Troops  there  in  Particular,  we  humbly  conceive  a 
Bridge  Should  be  erected  across  the  River  from  the  upper  End 
of  s^  Newcastle  to  Ward’s  Island  so  called  & from  thence  to 
Adam’s  Island  so  called,  which  would  afford  a Safe  retreat  to 
Fort-Washington,  & also  a Safe  direct  way  to  send  Reinforce- 
ments to  the  Troops  Stationed  at  said  Newcastle  when  needed 
— We  likewise  conceive  that  Batteries  or  fortifications  should 
be  Built  at  Said  Newcastle  in  some  proper  places  for  the  De- 
fence thereof,  & to  prevent  the  Enemy  gaining  a Stand  so  ad- 
vantageous to  them  & so  detrimental  to  the  Colony — Wherefore 
we  humbly  pray  that  your  Honors  would  take  the  Subject  mat- 
ter of  this  Petition  into  vour  Serious  Consideration  & being 
convinced  of  the  Necessity  & Utility  of  the  Measure,  that  you 
would  order  the  s*^  Bridge  & proper  Batteries  for  Defence  to  be 
Built  immediately  at  the  Expence  of  the  Colony.  And  we  as 
in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray 

Newcastle  13*^'  May  177b 

Geo.  Frost  Ju^ ) Committee  for 

Robert  White  i Newcastle 


[7-167]  S^Mef7io7'ial  7'elative  to  the  Fishery  business, 

To  The  Hon’^  the  Council  and  Assembly  for  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire — 

The  Memorial  of  Henry  Prescott  in  behalf  of  his  Constitu- 
ants,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New-Castle — humbly 
Sheweth 

That  said  Town  was  almost  Intirely  Supported  by  the  Fish- 
ery in  Times  past,  there  not  being  any  Foreign  Trade  Carried 
on  in  said  Town.  That  on  the  20^^  of  July  i775  tbe  Act  of  the 
British  Parliament  prohibeting  the  Fishery  took  place,  at  which 
time,  and  after,  a British  Ship  of  War  lay  off' said  Town  which 
prevented  even  the  Catching  of  fish  in  Boats — and  in  the  Month 
of  October  following  when  Falmouth  was  Burnt  the  Inhabitants 
were  at  the  Expence  of  Remooving  Back  into  the  Country  for 
Safetv,  expecting  New  Castle  would  Share  the  same  fate — But 
in  the  Spring  following  a Considerable  part  of  the  Inhabitants 


NEW  CASTLE. 


693 


Returned,  and  at  an  Unusual  Expence  fitted  out  Five  fishing 
Vessells,  Two  of  which  were  taken  by  the  Enemy,  and  some 
of  the  Hands  are  yet  on  Board  the  Sloop  of  War  which  took 
them  ; and  Since  a Considerable  part  of  the  Inhabitants  have 
Engaged  in  the  Continental  Service  ; and  Others  have  no  trade 
to  Support  them,  That  they  at  present  are  Unable  to  Support 
their  Minister  or  School. — Wherefore  your  Memorialest  would 
move  that  this  Court  would  take  their  Case  into  their  Calm 
Consideration  and  grant  them  such  Relief  wdth  Respect  to  their 
Tax’s  for  177s  & as  they  may  think  Just  & Reasonable  in 

their  present  Distressed  Situation 

and  your  memorialest  as  in  Duty  bund  shall  ever  pray — 

Exeter  Dec’’  12^^  i77^* 

Henry  Prescott 


[7—168]  S^Petition  for  Authority  to  raise  j\Io7iey  by  Lottery 

to  build  a Bridge^  igj8i\ 

To  the  Hon'’*  The  Council,  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Conven’d  at  Exeter,  the  Peti- 
tion of  a Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towm  of  New 
Castle  Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  your  Petitioners,  the  greater  part  of  them,  being  Scitu- 
ate  and  Living  on  an  Island,  Renders  their  Communication 
with  the  Inhabitants  on  the  main  Extreamly  Difficult,  and 
Many  times  Utterly  Impracticable  ; that  for  want  of  a Bridge 
W’e  are  Deprived  of  Any  Markett  from  the  Country  Except 
what  is  by  w'ater,  wdiich  is  very  Precarious  and  Lhicertain ; 
that  in  Case  of  an  Attack  from  Our  Enemys,  Assistance  from 
Our  Bretheren  on  the  Main  would  be  Difficult  to  be  Procured, 
and  if  Procured,  a Retreat,  in  Case  of  a Defeat  w’ould  be  At- 
tended wdth  many  and  great  Inconveniences  That  your  Peti- 
tioners in  this  Time  of  general  Calamity  have  been  Deprived 
of  the  Usual  means  of  geting  their  Livelyhood  in  a more  Espe- 
cial Manner,  as  their  whole  Dependance  was  upon  Navigation 
and  the  Fishery,  and  are  thereby  Rendered  Uncapable  of  doing 
any  thing  towards  Building  a Bridge  themselves  ; That  The 
Hon*’*  The  Committee  of  Safety  for  this  State  did  in  the  year 
1776  Direct  Col.  Long  when  Stationed  on  this  Island,  with  a 
Body  of  Troops,  to  Build  a Bridge  a Cross  the  River  wdth  the 
Materials  of  the  Old  One,  as  far  as  it  would  go,  and  also  gave 
us  some  Old  Condemned  Masts  and  Booms  to  work  into  the 
New  Bridge,  But  Unfortunately  for  Us  Your  Petitioners,  the 
Season  of  the  year  was  so  far  Advanced  before  He  began  that 
the  work  Remains  Uncompleated 


694 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Your  Petitioners  Therefore  humbly  Request  your  Honor’s 
would  enable  them  by  an  Act  of  this  State  to  Raise  Two  thou- 
sand Dollars  by  a Lottery  to  finish  the  Bridge  already  began, 
and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  pray — 


New  Castle  Febrt 

Henry  Prescott 
Geo.  Frost  Ju’’ 

John  Tarlton 
Thomas  Bell 
Matthew  Bell  Juner 
Benjamin  Bell 
Jn®  Tuckerman 
Robert  White 
John  m'^Colley 
Rob*  Lapish 
Sampson  Bell 
Sam*  Clarke 
John  Seavey 


ary  lo**’  1778. 

James  Neal 
Meshach  Bell  3** 
Elias  Tarlton 
Will™  Stocker 
Benjamin  Bell  3** 
Ephraim  Amazeen 
John  amazeen 
William  Jones 
William  Clark 
Thomas  Card 
John  Card 
Henry  Card 
John  Rand 


John  Simpson 
Meshach  Bell  Jur 
John  Shannon 
Abednego  Bell 
Abra  : Ih'efethen  Jur 
Nath**  Jordan 
John  Randel 
Abram  Trefethen 
Richa'*  Yeaton 
Isaac  Smith 
Thomas  Lake 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Feb.  13,  1778,  the  foregoing  petition  was 
granted. — Ed.] 


[7-169]  of  Co7n7nittee  07t  DaTnages  to  Property  by 

the  Proops 

State  of  New  Hamp^ 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  Nov”"  21®*  177S. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Council  & House  of  Rep- 
resentatives to  estimate  the  Damages  and  Rents  of  sundry 
Houses  improved  as  Barracks  in  the  Years  1775  ^77^  ^7 

Cap*  Parr’s  Rifle  men,  and  other  Continental  Troops  under  the 
Command  of  Col*  Peirse  Long  having  met  for  the  purpose 
aforesaid — & after  a full  survey  of  the  buildings  at  New  Castle, 
at  Seavey’s  Island,  and  Cap*  George  Janvrin’s  Island,  do  agree 
to  Report  as  follows — viz* 


To  Meshech  Bell  for 

his  house  and  damage 

£45.  0. 

To  William  Vinard  for  ditto 

10.  0. 

To  Jane  Watkins 

d° 

20.  0. 

To  Henry  Foss 

d*’ 

12.  0. 

To  Matthew  Bell 

d° 

28.  0. 

To  John  Simpson 

d“ 

24.  0. 

To  Shadrach  Bell 

d° 

90.  0. 

To  Daniel  Warner 

d« 

56. 0. 

To  Thomas  Bell 

d“ 

72.  0. 

To  Robert  White 

d° 

76.  0. 

NEW  CASTLE.  695 


To  John  Tarlton  d® 

20.  0. 

To  George  Frost  for  his  old  house  & d° 

32.  0. 

To  William  Trundy  d° 

12.  0. 

To  Robert  Lapish  d® 

30.  0. 

To  M*"®  Shannon  d° 

16.  0. 

To  Richard  Yeaton  d® 

6.  0. 

To  Joseph  Frost  d® 

7.  0. 

To  George  Frost  for  New  House  & ditto 

16.  0. 

To  William  Jones 

d° 

15.  0. 

To  M*"®  Moodv 

d° 

120.  0. 

To  M'  Chase  for  Parsonage 

d« 

So.  0. 

To  Henry  Prescutt 

d° 

• 

0 

6 

To  Stephen  Batson 

d® 

13.  0. 

To  George  JatlVey 

d" 

24.  0. 

To  Samuel  Fernald 

d« 

10.  0. 

To  John  Fernald 

do 

1 2.  0. 

To  Stephen  Seavey 

d« 

20.  0. 

To  Stephen  Jenkins 

d« 

7* 

To  George  Janvrin 

d® 

65- 

<£968.  O 


This  Account  of  nine  hundred  and  sixty-eight  pounds  ap- 
pears to  your  Committee  to  be  due  to  the  above  named  twenty 
nine  persons,  for  the  improvement  of  their  houses  & Lands  for 
the  purposes  before  mentioned,  and  all  their  damages — All 
which  is  submitted  by  George  Gains  for  said  Committee — 
Which  Report  being  read  & considered  Voted  that  the  same 
be  received  and  accepted,  & that  the  President  give  orders  of 
payment  accordingly  to  Major  George  Gains — 

Sent  up  for  Concurrence — 

John  Langdon  Speaker 
In  Council  the  Same  day  read  and  Concurred 

E Thompson  Sec^ 


to  Legislative  Representation.^  iy84.~\ 

To  the  Hon^^®  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  in  General  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  Castle 
Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  by  Reason  of  the  late  Cruel  and  Distressing  War  your 
Petitioners  have  for  a long  Time  been  deprived  of  the  Usual 
means  of  geting  their  Subsistance,  and  are  so  Impoverished  in 
their  Circumstances  that  they  have  been  unable  to  pay  their 


696 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Usual  Proportion  of  the  Public  Expence,  or  even  to  Support  a 
Minister,  or  School  Amongst  them,  and  also  that  their  Num- 
bers are  greatly  deminislied,  by  which  Means  they  are,  at  pres- 
ent, rendered  unable  to  Support  Representation — 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  pray  that  they  may  be  disannexed 
from  the  Town  of  Rye,  and  not  Annexed  to  any  Other  Town 
for  the  Choice  of  a Representative,  they  Choosing  rather  in 
their  present  Circumstances,  to  Rely  on  the  Justice  and  Clem- 
enc}'^  of  the  Hon*^^  the  General  Court  of  the  State — 

New  Castle  March  15*^  i7S4* 


Abraham  Trefethe 
Jn®  Simpson 
Henry  Prescott 
Meshach  Bell 
Stephen  Chase 
Geo.  ftrost  Jrf 
Same^  Yaton 
William  Vennard 
Edward  White 
Robert  White 
John  Tarlton 
Sam^^  Gowdy 
Joshua  White 


Nathan  White 
Abra  Trefethen  J 
Sha<i  Bell 
Abednego  Bell 
John  Randel 
Thomas  Bell 
Samuel  Frost 
Sampson  Bell 
Robert  Martin 
John  Simpson  Ju 
Joseph  Bell 
Sha*^  Bell  JuY 
John  Chase 


JiP  Blunt 
f NatU^  Batson 
Stephen  Batson 
archell  furnell 
Elias  Tarlton 
Paul  Randall 
W"^  Tredick 
William  Jones 
James  Neal 
r Richard  Tarlton 
Ephraim  Amazeen 


[7-172]  \^Petitio72  for  Authority  to  raise  Money  by  Lottery 

to  build  a Bridge^ 

To  the  Honourable  Senate,  and  House  of  Representatives  in 

General  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  Castle, 
humbly  Sheweth — that  the  well  known  Importance  of  the  small 
Town  aforesaid,  Imployed  in  the  Fishing  Business,  to  the 
State  in  General,  and  that  the  Increased  Prosperity  of  it,  is 
greatly  Influential  to  the  Fishery  in  general,  that  Publick  source 
of  Wealth,  thrown  into  the  Lap  of  the  State,  surely  demands 
the  Attention  of  the  Legislature — And  whereas,  the  Demolition 
of  the  Bridge,  that  connected  the  Island,  to  the  main  Land  by 
means  of  which  a Communication  was  Opened,  and  was  a 
source  of  Prosperitv,  has  greatly  Impoveris’h  us,  and  is  still  a 
hindrance  to  Our,  Increase,  Welth,  and  Prosperity,  the  Con- 
tinuance of  this  Inconvinience,  must.  Continue,  our  Poverty 
Weaken  and  Deminish  our  Numbers,  our  Business,  and  means 
of  Prosperity,  and  must  in  the  Issue  deminish  the  Wealth  of 


NEW  CASTLE. 


697 


the  State  in  general,  and  so  be  a Publick  detriment,  unless  the 
Bridge  is  Restored,  and  thereby  a free  Communication  Opened 
to  the  Country, — And  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  said  New 
Castle,  are  by  no  means  Able  to  the  Arduous  Task  of  Rebuild- 
ing the  Bridge  without  the  help  and  Aid  of  the  Publick,  these 
are  therefore  Earnestly  to  Pray  and  Petition  that  your  Honours 
would  grant  us  a Lottery,  to  Raise  Fifteen  hundred  Pounds 
LawTul  Money,  which  sum  we  suppose  will  take  to  Rebuild 
the  Bridge  in  said  New  Castle,  aiicl  afford  us  Other  help  and 
Aid  as  you  in  your  goodness  and  Wisdom  may  see  fit,  and  we 
as  in  duty  bound  will  Ever  Pray  &c — 

New  Castle  Dec''  24,  1789 


Olivier  Noble 
Sampson  Sheafe 
Robert  White 
George  Bell 
David  Mitchell 
Chris''  Amazeen 
Benj"  Meloon 
Rich*^  Tarlton 
Henry  Prescott  J*" 
william  neal 
Rich  Neal 
Ephream  Amazeen 
Sampson  Bell 
Stephen  Batson 
Sin  ur 

Luke  Wilkinson 
Andrew  Eliot 


Nathaniel  Amazeei 
Sampson  ttrefethen 
Joseph  Amazeen  3' 
John  Rand 
William  Clarnboul 
Isiiac  Smith 
William  Neal  Jun'' 
Benjamin  odiorn 
Samuel  Rand 
William  Amazeen 
William  Allen 
Geo.  Ffrost 
Jn"  Simpson 
Henry  Prescott 
Thomas  Bell 
William  Vennard 
William  Jones 


John  Carrell 
Robert  Blunt 
Joseph  Amazeen 
Jos.  ffrost 
Edward  Tredick 
John  Shonnan 
John  Neal 
Joshua  Bickford 
Shadrach  Bell 
Abednego  Bell 
Benj"  Prescott 
John  Randel 
James  Neal 
Joseph  Bell 
Stephen  Batson  Jun'’ 
Joshua  White 
Nathan  White 


[7-173]  \_Petitio7i  fro7H  Pihabitaiits  of  Rye  co7ice7'7tmg  the 

sa77ie.'\ 


State  of  New  Hampshire — 

To  the  Hon’^^  The  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Assembled,  at  Portsmouth  On  the  23*^  Day  of 
December  Instant — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye  Hum- 
bly Sheweth — That  the  Ancient  Town  of  New  Castle  has  been 
greatly  distressed  and  Impoverished  by  Means  of  the  late  War, 
and  the  Bridge  a Cross  Little  Harbour  which  Connected  them 
to  the  Main,  has  been  demolished,  and  the  Inhabitants  thereof 
are  by  no  Means  Able  to  Rebuild  said  Bridge,  without  the  Aid 


698 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


of  the  Public — which  we  Apprehend  will  not  Only  be  Benefi- 
cial to  the  Inhabitants  of  said  Town,  but  to  the  Country  in 
General,  as  thereby  a Communication  will  be  Opened  with  the 
Only  place  Conveniently  Situated  for  Carrying  On  the  Fishery 
in  this  State,  the  Necessity  of  said  Bridge  must  be  Obvious  to 
all  as  it  will  Open  a free  Communication  from  the  Country  to 
the  Only  Fortress  in  the  State — Wherefore  your  Petitioners 
Humbly  Pray  that  your  Honors  would  grant  Liberty  to  Raise 
the  Sum  of  fifteen  Hundred  Pounds  Lawfull  Money,  by  a Lot- 
tery, for  the  Purpose  of  Building  a Bridge  a Cross  Little  Har- 
bour in  New  Castle  aforesaid,  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty 
bound  will  ever  Pray. 


Rye  December, 

Simon  Jenness 
Isaac  Dow 
Richard  Jenness 
Benjamin  Jenness 
John  Jenness 
Francis  Jenness 
Thomas  Jenness 
Rand 

Levi  Jenness 
Jacob  Beary 
Rich‘S  Beary 
abraham  Libbee 
James  hobbs 
John  Garland 
Bickford  Lang 
John  Lang 
Nicholas  Dolbeer 
Jonathan  Brown 
Job  Jenness 
Jonathan  Woodman 
John  Brown 
James  Perkins 
John  Perkins 
Joseph  Perkins 
thomas  cotten 
Sam*^  Jenness 
Peter  Jenness 
John  Lock 
Joseph  Jenness  Jur 
William  Davison 
Josiah  Davison 
Mikel  Dalton 
Reuben  Philbrick 


17S9. 

Reuben  moulton 
Simon  Lam  per 
Simon  Lampere  Jr 
Samuel  Elkins 
Isaac  Jenness 
Jonathan  Jenness 
John  Brown 
John  Marston 
Samuel  Knowles 
Trustham  Sleeper 
Thomas  Sleeper 
David  Smith 
Stephen  marden 
Joses  Philbrick 
Joseph  Rand 
Peter  Garland 
John  Garland  iuiF 
Levi  Garland 
Jonath  Garland 
Peter  Garland  iuer 
Simon  Garland 
Joseph  Garland 
John  Garland 
Nathan  Knowls 
John  Knowles 
Peter  Johnson  JuiF 
Edmund  Johnson 
Nathaniel  Beary 
Peter  Mitchell 
Nathan  Goss 
Simon  Johnson 
Thomas  Goss 
Elijah  Lock 


Samuel  Wells 
Simon  Wells 
James  Goss 
Benjmin  Garland 
Benjamin  Garland  J' 
Amos  Garland 
Huntington  Porter 
John  F.  Williams 
Josus  Philbrick 
Jeremiah  Berry 
Levi  Berry 
Benjamin  Marden  Ju 
Jonathan  Hobbs 
Solmon  Berry 
Nathaniel  marden 
Ebeneazer  Seavey 
Mark  Lang 
George  Rand 
Amos  Persons 
Benjamin  Marden 
Alaxander  Salter 
Joseph  Rand  Jun' 
Levi  Goss 
John  Goss 
Daniel  Mason 
William  Norton 
Elexander  Lear 
Nathaniel  Rand  Jur 
Benjamin  Lear 
Daniel  Fitzgrell 
Jonathan  Goss 
Nath^  Rand 
Joseph  Goss 


NEW  CASTLE. 


699 


Jonathan  wedgwood  David  Lock 


David  Wedgwood 
Nathaniel  Jenness 
Noah  Jenness 
Stephen  Rand 
John  B.  Jennes 
Jeremiah  Brown 
Jonathan  Philbrick 
Daniel  Philbrick 


David  Lock  junr 
Jonathan  Lock  the 
third 

EBenezer  Berry 
Merefield  Beary 
Jonathan  Lock 
Jonathan  Lock  Jur 
Rich*^  Jenness 


Samuel  Rand 
Thomas  Rand 
Samuel  Wallis  iur 
John  Fry 
John  Fry  Ju 
Amos  Seavey 
William  Seavey 


[An  act  granting  the  lottery  was  passed  Jan.  12,  1790* — 
Ed.] 


[7-174]  \_Petitio?i  of  sundry  Inhabitaizts  to  be  annexed  to 

Rye,  /7p/.] 

To  the  HonN®  Senate  and  the  Honorable  House  of  Representa- 
tives for  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  Convened  at  Con- 
cord— 

The  Petition  of  Sundry  Inhabitants  and  Land  holders  of  the 
Town  of  New  Castle  in  said  State — Humbly  Sheweth  that 
your  Petitioners  by  Reason  of  their  Local  Scituation  have  Long 
Laboured  under  great  inconveniencies  in  said  town  by  being 
detached  from  the  stated  place  of  Public  Town  meetings  and 
Schools  by  a river  running  between  them  and  the  Compact 
part  of  the  town  which  is  many  times  Impassable  by  reason  of 
Tempestous  weather  Ice  &c  that  our  Annual  town  meeting  is 
by  Law  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  March  at  which  Season  of  the 
year  the  River  is  often  so  Obstructed  with  Ice  or  wind  as  to 
render  it  Impossible  for  Us  to  attend,  in  Consequence  of  which 
we  are  Prevented  from  Voting  on  any  Public  business  thereby 
Losing  our  Small  Influence  in  Town  afiairs,  and  when  we  can 
Attend  our  numbers  are  so  few  that  we  Stand  no  Chance  with 
the  other  Part  of  the  town  whereby  we  are  forced  to  pay  for 
what  they  Please  to  Vote,  School  masters  in  Particular  without 
having  any  benefit  of  them.  Some  of  Us  Living  Upwards  of 
; a mile  from  the  River  which  if  Passable  we  have  another  mile 

to  walk  to  the  School,  which  we  Conceive  to  be  a great  Hard- 
I ship  as  we  are  obliged  some  of  Us  to  put  our  Children  to  School 

in  other  Towns,  thereby  Paying  Double  taxes  for  them  which 
i is  a great  Hardship  to  Such  of  Us  in  Particular  who  have 

j tennants  on  our  Land  it  being  a great  Discouragement  to  a ten- 

j nants  Living  in  such  a town — We  would  also  beg  Leave  to 

Suggest  that  in  the  year  1703  the  Governor  and  Council  Passed 
I an  order  Releasing  the  then  Ferryman  from  his  Taxes  yearly 

j in  Consideration  of  his  Ferring  over  the  Inhabitants  Living  on 

1 

i 

i 

\ 

] 


1 


700 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  main  on  Public  days  Gratis  which  Custom  was  Constantly 
Complyed  with  till  Very  Lately  when  the  Select  men  to  add 
another  Grievance  to  Us  have  Compelled  the  Present  Occupant 
of  the  Ferry  to  pay  his  Tax  who  now  refuses  to  Let  us  pass  the 
River  without  Pay,  for  these  and  many  other  Reasons  your 
Petitioners  most  Humbly  Pray  your  Honors  that  we  may  be 
Disannexed  with  our  Estates  from  the  town  of  New  Castle  and 
Annexed  to  the  Town  of  Rye  which  is  much  more  Convenient 
to  us  for  meetings  & Schools 

And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray 

New  Castle  May  ^79^ 

JiP  Blunt 
Samuel  Rand 
Benjamin  odiorn 
Jacob  Sheafe  juiF 
Jonathan  Warner 
Geo.  Frost 

[The  foregoing  was  granted  Dec.  22,  1791. — Ed.] 


[7-175]  \_George  y^ffi'ey  clal7ns  an  Allovjance for  Damage 
caused  by  building  the  jFort.~\ 

State  of  New-Hampshire 
Portsmouth  June  1792 — 

To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  New-Hampshire  now  Sitting  at  Dover  in  general 
Court,  in  June  1792 — 

The  Memorial  of  George  Jaffrey  of  Portsmouth,  in  the 
County  of  Rockingham  ; and  State  of  New-Hampshire — 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  the  Government  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire,  in 
June  1775-  began  building  a Fort  on  the  land  of  your  Memori- 
alist at  a place  called  Jerrys  point,  in  the  Town  of  New-Castle 
in  Said  State  ; and  that  Fort  was  built  of  the  Sods,  earth  and 
Stone  walls  of  Said  place  also  manv  valuable  trees  were  cut 
down  on  that  place,  to  be  used  as  materials  for  building  or  fuel 
for  the  fort — From  the  time  of  buildinof  that  fort,  vour  Memori- 
alist  was  deprived  of  cutting  the  principal  part  of  the  hay  for 
Supporting  the  Cattle  he  had  upon  The  farm,  containing  about 
Seventy  five  Acres  by  Several  years  manuring  the  ground  at 
Jerrys  Point,  by  the  appearance  of  the  Grass,  when  the  fort 
was  begun  to  be  built,  the  Tennant  expected  to  make  nine  or 


NEW  DURHAM. 


701 


ten  loads  of  hay  on  that  point  of  land, — Since  that  time,  have 
been  obliged  to  transport  hay  by  water,  at  an  extraordinary  ex- 
pence, to  Support  the  Stock  on  that  farm,  and  the  ground  on 
the  point  has  been  of  little  or  no  benefit — when  the  Govern- 
ment removed  the  Platforms  Barracks  from  the  fort,  in  ex- 
pectation that  the  Fort  would  be  removed,  and  the  materials 
would  be  replaced, — prevented  application  to  the  general  Court 
for  ample  and  adequate  compensation  for  the  Damage  to  your 
Memorialist,  by  building  Said  Fort — wherefore  he  now  prayeth 
The  Honourable  General  Court  would  appoint  a Committee  to 
view  the  place  where  the  Fort  is  built,  examine  and  enquire 
into  circumstances  respecting  the  Damage  done  to  your  Peti- 
tioner, by  building  The  Fort,  and  to  make  a full  Estimate 
of  the  Same  and  grant  him  a full  Compensation  for  the  Dam- 
age he  sustain’s  and  your  Petitioner  will  ever  pray  &c 

Geo  : JafiVey 

[A  committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  matter  re- 
ported the  damage  at  ^£50.  Said  committee  was  composed 
of  Moses  Leavitt,  Jona.  Cilley,  and  James  Carr. — Ed.] 


NEW  DURHAM. 

The  township  was  granted  to  Ebenezer  Smith  and  others 
in  1749.  and  incorporated  with  full  town  privileges  Decem- 
ber 7,  1762.  Major  Thomas  Tash,  a brave  soldier  of  the 
French  and  Revolutionary  wars,  was  authorized  to  call  the 
first  town-meeting. 

A tract  of  land  adjoining  on  the  west,  for  some  years 
called  New  Durham  Gore,  was  incorporated  as  a town  by 
the  name  of  Alton,  June  16,  1796. 

The  town  was  settled  to  some  extent  by  people  from  Dur- 
ham : hence  its  name.  Col.  Thomas  Tash,  a native  of  the 
last  named  place,  removed  to  this  town  about  the  close  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  died  here  in  1809,  at  the  age  of 
87  years. 


702 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[R,  3-25]  \_Petitio7i  of  cei'tahz  Soldiers  in  the  Expedition 
against  Canada : addressed  to  the  General  Assembly^ 

fune  14^  1764.'] 

Shews 

That  your  Petitioners  were  in  his  Majestys  Service  against 
his  Enemies  and  did  their  duty  faithfully  thro’  much  hardships 
Difficulties — That  they  have  receivd  their  wages  for  every  years 
Service  but  the  Year  1760  for  which  they  have  received  no  pay 
tho’  for  that  year  their  .Service  was  as  hard  as  the  rest. — 

That  they  cannot  think  that  their  leaving  Crown  point  about 
a fortnight  before  their  Dismission  (which  they  have  been  told 
was  the  reason  they  were  not  paid  for  that  year)  coud  be  such 
an  Offence  as  justly  Incurrd  the  forfiture  of  a Years  wages 
when  their  Circumstances  there  were  such  as  made  it  greatly 
hazzardous  to  their  health  to  Tarry  and  their  Departure  attend- 
ed w'ith  no  111  Consequences — Wherefore  they  most  humbly 
Pray  their  case  may  be  Considered  & their  wages  paid  accord- 
ins'  to  Enlistment  & time  of  Service — 

Gideon  Gould 
Timothy  dough 
Henery  frink 
Natff'  "Merrill 

Micajah  Morrill  in  y®  Rite  of  Richard  Hull 

Ebenezer  Brow 
Robert  Pike 

Dismist 


[R.  3-24]  \_Petition  of  Elizabeth  Doed^ 

[In  a petition  without  date  Mrs.  Doe  stated  “that  David 
Doe  Her  Husband  went  as  a Continental  Solder  in  the  ser- 
vice For  the  Town  of  New  Durham  and,  further,  “ that 
she  was  married  in  New  Durham  and  her  child  was  born 
there.”  Sworn  before  Joseph  Roberts. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-27]  S^Petition  of  Peter  Drown^  i78y.~\ 

[In  a petition  dated  June  6,  1785,  said  Drown,  of  New 
Durham,  stated  that  he  “ served  as  a Captain  in  CoF  Ste- 
phen Peabodys  Regiment  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  in 
the  year  1778.”  He  asked  to  have  the  depreciation  of  his 
pay  made  up  to  him.  The  petition  is  signed  “ Tho®  Tash 


NEW  DURHAM. 


703 


In  behalf  of  the  petitioner.”  Capt.  Drown  was  murdered 
February  4,  1788,  by  Elisha  Thomas. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-29]  S^Samuel  Runnels^ s Petitiofi^  Soldier.']^ 

[In  a petition  dated  New  Durham,  December  30,  1788, 
the  said  Runnels  stated  “ that  he  was  a private  in  Maj*" 
Norris  Company  in  Col.  Scammels  Reg^  for  the  term  of 
three  years  ; ” that  by  reason  of  being  on  detatched  service 
with  General  Sullivan  he  drew  no  pay  from  December  31, 
1778,  until  June  30,  1779,  at  which  last  date  he  was  appoint- 
ed to  an  office  in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition.  He  was  al- 
lowed regular  pay  for  the  six  months. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-26]  S^Soldied s Ordej'^ 

Newdurham  decern^  th  19 — 17S4 

Sir  please  to  pay  Thomas  Tash  Esq*'  the  whole  of  my  wages 
& boLintey  for  my  Sarvce  In  the  Continental  armey  In  1781  In 
Cap‘  Livermores  Company  and  this  Shall  be  a discharge  In  full 
from — 

your  humble  Sarv* 

John  Bryant 

To  the  pay  master  of  the  New  hampshire  trups 


[R.  3-2S]  [^Petition  of  Elisha  Thomas^  Soldier^  ^7^7  ' <^d~ 
dressed  to  the  Ge7ieral  Assembly^  fanuary  4, 

Humbly  Sheweth  Elisha  Thomas  of  New  Durham  in  the 
County  of  Stratlbrd,  Yeoman,  that  in  the  Year  1776,  he  inlist- 
ed  into  Cap‘  John  Gordon’s  Company,  as  a private  Soldier,  in 
the  Re^ment  under  the  Command  of  Col  Thomas  Tash  of  this 

O 

State,  in  the  federal  Service,  that  in  the  Month  of  November 
in  the  same  vear,  at  the  Alarm  at  Planks  Point  on  North  River 
State  of  New  York  in  Discharging  his  Gun,  his  Left  hand,  was 
torn  ’to  Pieces,  by  bursting  of  said  Gun,  and  his  Thumb  carried 
away,  and  his  Fingers  & hand  rendered  almost  wholly  useless, 
b}'  Means  whereof,  he  suffered  the  most  excruciating  Pain  for  a 
long  Time,  & has  ever  Since  been  in  a great  Measure,  deprived 
of  the  Means  of  gaining  a Subsistence  for  himself  & a numer- 
ous Family  of  Children — Wherefore  Your  Petitioner  most  hum- 


704 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


bly  Prays  this  honorable  Assembly  to  take  his  Case  in  their 
wise  and  equitable  Consideration,  and  make  him  such  Grant, 
or  Allowance  as  Justice  and  Humanity  may  dictate,  for  the  Re- 
lief of  himself  & a Poor  & Indegent  Family  and  as  in  Duty 
Bound  he  will  ever  Pray — 

Elisha  Thomas 

[See  Vol.  XI,  page  547. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-30]  \^Petition  of  Richard  Colomy^  77^7.] 

State  of  New-Hampshire  Concord  FeD'  3"  1791  — 

To  the  Honorabl  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  Ameri- 
ca, most  humbly  sheweth, 

Richard  Colomy  of  New-Durham  in  said  State — that  he  was 
a Soldier  in  Captain  Frederick  Bells  Company,  in  CoP  George 
Reids  Reg*  in  Gen*  Enoch  Poors  Brigade  in  the  late  Conti- 
nental Army, — that  on  the  ninteenth  day  of  April  1777, — in 
Battle  at  Still-water,  he  received  two  wounds,  one  in  his  knee, 
& the  other  in  his  hip  and  the  ball  still  remains  in  his  hip — by 
means  of  which  Your  Petitioner  and  Memorialist  is  much  dis- 
enabled— that  by  reason  of  his  living  remote  in  the  Country  be- 
ing poor,  ignorant  he  never  made  application  to  be  enrolled 
as  an  inviled  peiF  in  this  State  till  the  time  of  enrolling  therein 
had  expired, — 

Therefore  he  most  ardently  pray  Your  hon*  body  to  take  his 
distressed  case  into  consideration,  and  Grant  him  such  relief  in 
the  premises  as  may  appear  Just  and  reasonabl, — and  as  in  duty 
bound  he  will  ever  pray — 

his 

Richard  X Colomy 

mark 

Test : Josh“  Atherton 
John  Young 

[He  was  put  on  the  invalid  roll. — Ed.] 


[7-178]  \_Relative  to  Robert  Karso?i^  Soldier. 

State  of  New  Hamp^® 

To  the  Honorable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  convened  at  Exeter  April  7**^  17S4 

Humblv  shew  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Durham  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Strafford  that  among  the  Soldiers  they  were  called  upon 


NEW  DURHAM. 


705 


to  furnish  during  the  late  war  they  hired  to  serve  for  that  Term 
one  Robert  Karson  who  joined  his  Regiment  served  some  time 
& then  was  taken  Prisoner  or  deserted  : since  which  (as  your 
Petitioners  suppose  through  some  mistake)  an  Extent  has  been 
served  on  your  Petitioners  for  not  furnishing  their  Qiiota  of  Sol- 
diers of  which  the  said  Karson  was  one 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  your  Plonors  that 
they  may  be  excused  from  paying  the  said  Extent  so  far  as  it 
relates  to  the  said  Karson,  or  that  they  maybe  otherwise  releiv- 
ed  as  in  your  wisdom  you  shall  judge  proper,  and  as  in  duty 
bound  shall  ever  pray 

Tho®  Tash 

in  behalf  of  the  Petitioners — 


[7-179]  \_Retur?i  of  Ratable  Polls ^ 77<?j.] 

State  of  New  Hamp^  Strafford  ss — 

A Return  of  the  Number  of  all  Male  Polls  from  Twenty  One 
Years  of  Age  & upwards  (paying  poll  Taxes)  in  the  Town  of 
New  Durham  Taken  by  Order  of  the  General  Assembly  of  said 
State,  which  Number  is  Seventy 

New  Durham  Dec*"  20^*^  — 

Tho®  Tash  | Select 
Peter  Drowne  j Men 


[7-180]  \_Col.  Pho77ias  Tash  7'esig7is  Itz  favo7'  of  his  Soti^ 

1791.1 

New  durham  Jenury  th  10 — 179^ 
dear  Sir 

this  Comes  to  In  forime  you  that  I wrot  to  Let  you  know  that 
I am  willing  to  Resign  being  appointed  a Justice  of  the  peace 
In  favour  of  my  Son  Thomas  Tash  If  the  president  & Counsel 
Sees  fite  to  appoint  him  In  my  Room  I Suppose  that  he  Is  well 
qualified  for  that  Commission  and  will  be  no  dishoner  to  them 
that  appoints  him.  and  I Expect  that  It  will  be  agreeable  to  the 
Town  he  Lives  In  which  Is  all  from  your  friend  & most  hum- 
ble Sarvn* 

Tho®  Tash 

PS  I wrote  this  Letter  Least  you  had  not  Receivd  the 
other 


47 


7o6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-181]  \_Relatzve  to  Library  Society^  ^797 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire  to  be  convened  at  Concord,  in  said 
State  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  June  next — 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  a Committee  appointed  by 
the  New  Durham  library  Society,  for  the  purpose,  at  their 
Meeting  held  in  said  Town  on  the  twelvth  day  of  September 
last — humbly  shews  That  said  Society  consists,  at  present,  of 
forty  members,  each  of  whom  have  paid  four  dollars  a peice, 
for  the  use  of  said  Society  which  money  has  been  laid  out  to  the 
best  advantage,  in  furnishing  said  library  with  the  best  and 
most  useful  collection  of  books,  for  the  use  of  the  Members — 
that  said  Society  is  still  increasing  in  number  and  respectability 
and  would  in  their  opinion  much  faster  increase,  if  they  were 
incorporated  and  made  a body  corporate  and  politic — on  a plan 
similar  to  other  institutions  of  the  kind  now  existing  in  this 
State,  that  said  Society  at  present  are  subject  to  inconvenien- 
cies,  for  want  of  such  incorporation — And  as  you  are  our  polit- 
ical fathers  and  Guardians  and,  we  are  assured,  wish  to  pat- 
ronize and  promote  useful  literature,  knowledge  and  good  order 
among  the  citizens  at  large,  which  beneficial  ends  are  much  fa- 
cilitated by  institutions  of  this  kind — Your  petitioners  would 
therefore  humbly  pray,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  their  asso- 
ciates that  your  honors  would  be  pleased  to  permit  them  to  in- 
troduce a bill  of  incorporation  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  under 
such  regulations  and  restrictions,  as  your  Honours  may  deem 
just  and  reasonable  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will 
ever  pray — 

New  Durham  May  the  25*'^  A.  D.  1797 

Samuel  Runnals  J 
Thomas  Tash  JuY  y Committee 
Joseph  Jackson  ) 

[The  committee  was  granted  leave  to  bring  in  a bill. — 
Ed.] 


NEW  HAMPTON. 

The  territory  was  granted  to  Gen.  Jonathan  Moulton  and 
others,  proprietors  of  Moultonborough,  January  24, 
and  was  called  Moultonborough  Addition.  It  was  incor- 


NEW  HAMPTON. 


707 


porated  as  a town  November  27,  1777,  and  received  its 
present  name  at  that  time  at  the  request  of  General  Moul- 
ton, in  honor  of  his  native  town. 

By  an  act  passed  December  7,  1797,  the  north-east  part 
of  the  town  was  set  off,  and  incorporated  as  a town  by  the 
name  of  Centre  Harbour,  which  name  was  given  in  conse- 
quence of  its  containing  within  its  bounds  the  centre  one  of 
the  three  principal  harbors  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake, 
said  harbor  having  borne  that  name  for  some  years  prior  to 
the  incorporation  of  the  town.  (See  Vol.  XI,  page  277.) 

A literary  institution,  called  the  New  Hampton  Academy, 
established  here,  was  incorporated  June  27,  1821.  The 
management  of  the  institution  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
three  trustees,  and  so  continued  until  1826.  In  June  of  that 
year  the  name  of  the  institution  was  changed  by  law  to 
“The  Academical  and  Theological  Institution  in  New 
H ampton,”  and  the  number  of  trustees  increased  to  eleven, 
five  of  whom  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  proprietors,  and 
five  by  the  Baptist  Convention.  The  principal  of  the  school 
was  also  to  be  one  of  the  trustees.  By  an  act  of  the  legis- 
lature, approved  July  6,  1849,  the  control  of  the  academy 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Baptist  Convention,  which  was 
empowered  to  appoint  all  of  the  eleven  trustees.  This  in- 
stitution was  removed  to  Vermont  about  1852. 

In  January,  1853,  The  New  Hampton  Literary  and  Bib- 
lical Institution  was  chartered  and  organized,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Free-Will  Baptist  denomination.  It  was 
liberally  endowed  by  Col.  Rufus  G.  Lewis,  of  New  Hamp- 
ton. Since  that  time  it  has  been  in  successful  operation, 
and  has  performed  a good  work  in  the  cause  of  education. 


[7-1 82 J \^Bennhig  Moulton  recom.7n ended foi'  a Magistrate^ 

77<?7.] 

New  Hampton  August  y®  1781 

This  May  Sertify  that  at  a Town  Meeting  Legally  Warned 
and  Held  this  Day  at  the  House  of  M*’  Samuel  Dollofs  in  said 
Town  for  the  Choice  of  a Justice  of  the  Peace  and  the  Town 
Unanimously  Made  Choice  of  M*'  Benning  Moulton  for  that 
office  and  we  Strongly  Recommend  M*^  Benning  Moulton  to 
His  Exelency  the  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
and  the  Hon**^®  the  Privi  Council  to  be  Quallify*^  as  soon  as  May 


7o8  early  town  papers. 

be  as  the  Town  has  been  Destitute  of  a Justice  for  a Long 
time — M*"  Ezekiel  Morse  is  Chosen  by  the  Town  as  an  agent  to 
present  this  Paper  to  his  Exelency  the  President 

The  above  is  a True  Record  of  the  Procedi ngs  of  the  Meet- 
ing— 

Tho®  Simpson  T Cl* 

Ebener  Ingals  ] Select  Men  for 
Benj'"  Smith  Junr  j New  Hampton 


[7-183]  [^Another  recommendation  for  same^ 

To  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  State  of  Newhampshire, 
and  the  honourable  his  Council — 


We  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  hamp- 
ton  humbly  concieving,  that  it  is  not  only  for  the  Utility  of  the 
State  at  Large,  but  highly  convenient  for  Individuals,  that  one 
or  more  Justices  of  the  Peace  should  be  appointed  in  each 
Town  and  having  for  a long  Time  experienced  the  want  of 
one : pray,  some  suitable  Person  in  said  Town  may  be  ap- 
pointed to  that  Office  ; and  we  wou’d  beg  leave  to  recommend 
M*"  Penning  Moulton,  as  a Gentleman  most  agreeable  to  the 
Inhabitants,  and  most  likely  to  serve  the  good  Purposes  of 
Government — and  we  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  will 
ever  pray  for  &c"^ — 

Newhampton  aug*  6,  17S4 


Ebenezer  Chamber- 
lain 

Ephraim  Chamber- 
lain 

John  Pain 
James  towl 
Ezekiel  Morse 
James  Qiiimby 
Hosea  Sturturvant 
Josiah  Towl 
Amos  Pain 
Richard  Pain 
Daill  page 
Israel  Glines 
Enoch  Cate 
Abel  Morse 
Moses  Kelsa 


Elisha  Cumings 
John  Smith 
Benjamin  Smith 
John  Harper 
Isaac  Cummings 
Elisha  Cumings  iunr 
Nathaniel  Comings 
John  Leavitt 
thomas  Woodman 
Jonathan  James 
William  Plaisted 
Juner 

Joseph  Smith 
James  Huckins 
William  Blasted 
Samuel  Plaisted 
deniel  Veesay 


iohn  dollof 
David  Dolsar 
John  Smith 
John  fuller 
zadock  Sanborn 
Benia  Sanborn 
Joseph  Sanborn 
Zadock  Sanborn  Jr 
Eben®''  Ingalls 
Oliver  smith, Blake 
Moses  Carter 
Daniel  Harper 
Oliver  Lyford 
James  Harper 

his 

Mark  X blacke 

mark 

Abr.  Drake  Jun*" 


* Thomas  Simpson  was  a Revolutionary  soldier. 


NEW  HAMPTON. 


709 


Joseph  Senter 
Ephraim  Moore 
Daniel  Chamberlain 
Benj^  Huckins 
Elisha  Smith 
James  harran 
Ezra  Racket 
Levi  Drew 
Daniel  Sawyer 
Thomas  Harran 
John  harran 


Andrew  Neele 
Epheram  hacket 
John  Boynton 
Sam^  Colcord 
William  Boynton 
Richard  Boynton 
Nicholas  Smith 
Jeremiah  Ward 
Onesiphorus  Flan- 
ders 

Samell  dollof 


John  Hutchins 
Robard  Smith 
Joseph  Smith  iuner 
Abraham  Drake 
Benj*^  Smith  Junr 
Daniel  Ward 
simeon  Walton 
Willice  much 
Jonathan  Dow 


[7-185]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  setting  off  the  north-east 

fart^  i7g6.'\ 

At  a publick  Town  meeting  Holden  in  New  Hampton  the 
Sixth  Day  of  March  AD  1796  voted  that  the  N E part  of  New 
Hampton  be  set  oft'  as  far  as  Measley  pond  thence  to  Measley 
pond  Brook  thence  up  the  middel  of  S*^  Brook  to  Long  pond 
thence  up  the  middel  of  long  pond  to  the  inlet  at  the  Head  of 
s^  pond  thence  N thirty  five  Degrees  W to  New  Holderness — 
A true  Copy — 

Attest  Ahimaaz  Blanchard  T.  Clerk 

[The  territory  named  was  set  off  and  became  a portion 
of  Centre  Harbor,  Dec.  7,  1797. — Ed.] 

/ 

[R.  3-32]  \^Soldier’s  Orderly 

Newham pton  august  29,  1792. 

To  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire — 

Sir  Pleas  to  Pay  to  John  Nicholl  or  his  order  what  Ever  is 
due  to  me  I John  Smith  having  been  a Soldier  in  the  N 
Hampshire  Reg*  it  being  for  value  Received 
Witness  my  hand 

attest  John  Smith 

Jn  B Eastham 
Daniel  Kelly 


710 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


NEWINGTON. 


The  township  was  a portion  of  the  Dover  and  Squamscot 
Patent,  and  was  called  “ Bloody  Point  Parish  ” for  some 
years.  A dispute  arose  concerning  the  boundary  lines  be- 
tween this  parish  and  the  parish  of  Greenland,  and  a com- 
mittee was  appointed,  May  12,  1714,  “ to  ascertain  the  limits 
of  said  Parishes,”  (See  page  65,  ante.)  Bloody  Point  was 
named  Newington,  the  same  day,  by  the  governor.  It  had 
been  separated  from  Dover  as  a parish  about  one  year  pre- 
vious. When  it  was  fully  incorporated  with  town  privileges 
I am  unable  to  ascertain.  Some  writers  give  the  date  as 
1764,  but  there  is  no  act  relative  to  the  matter  on  record  in 
the  secretary’s  office  in  that  year,  and  I am  unable  to  find 
any  manuscript  authority  for  the  statement.  In  May,  1764, 
John  Knight  and  John  Pickering,  as  agents  for  the  town  of 
Newington,  petitioned  to  have  the  line  straightened  between 
said  town  and  Portsmouth. 

Newington  was  represented  by  John  Knight,  Jr.,  in  the 
H.  of  Rep.  in  1755.  and  by  John  Fabyan  in  1745,  at  which 
time  it  had  a set  of  town  officers,  from  which  I think  it 
must  have  been  invested  with  town  privileges  prior  to  that 
date. 

June  26,  1821,  a small  portion  of  the  town  was  severed, 
and  annexed  to  Portsmouth. 


Newington  mens  names  sworn. 


Joseph  Rawlins 
Jn°  Dam 
Jn®  Downing 
Tho  : Latton 
Tho : Row 
Moses  Dam 
Eleaz’’  Coalman 
Jn®  Hodsdon 
Marke  Ayers 
Sam^^  Henry 
Sam^  Thompson 
Eben’’  Plaise 
Jn®  Hodsdon 
Sam^^  Nutter 
Josiah  Downing 


Jn®  Walinford  Tho  : Trickey 

Tho®  Row  Jun’’  Benj  : Richards 

Hatevil  Nutter  Joseph  Bickford 

Mathias  Nutter  Jn®  Peters 

Jn®  Carter  Hatevil  Nutter 

Sam^^  Rawlins  Benj  : Richards 

John  Quint  Tho  : Ayers 

John  Trickey  Tho  ; Trickey 

Jn®  Richards  Jn®  Davis 

Jn®  Hoyt  Andrew  Peters 

Jn®  Decker  Jn®  Decker 

Thom  : Ayers  Joseph  Spearing 

Israel  Hoyt  George  Coolbroth 

Walter  Post  Sam^^  Row 

Benj  : Post  James  Place 


NEWINGTON. 


7II 


* Hatevil  Nutter 
Joshua  Downing 
John  Latton 
Phillip  Door 
Valintine  Nutter 
Moses  : Furber 
Joseph  Richards 
Christopher  Huntris 
Edw*^  Walker 
Jn®  Walton 
Sam*^  Maloon 


Rich^  Place 
Tho  : Roads 
Jn®  Tom  son 
Dodiford  Bickford 
Tho  ; Follett 
Tho  Bickford 
Nemiah  Furber 
Sam”  Place 
Jn®  Warringford  Ju' 
Edward  Row 
Benj  : Patch 


Jno  Brock 
Edw”  Walker 
Elix”  Hodgdon 
George  Walton 
William  Furber 
Jn®  Webber 
Henry  Nutter 
Jn®  Nutter 
Rich”  Dam 
Jn®  Dam 
Clem‘  Meserve 


[7-204]  S^Concerning  Irregularities  in  a T^ozcn- Meetings 

m7-'\ 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher  Esq*"  Gov’’  and  Com- 
mander In  Chief  in  and  Over  His  Majesty’s  Province  of  New 
Hamp’’  the  Hon”^*  His  Majestys  Council  and  House  of  Rep- 
resen, for  said  Province  in  Gen^  Court  Convened — 

The  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Free-holders  & Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Newington  in  said  Province  in  behalf  of  them- 
selves & others  of  said  Town — Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  on  the  twenty  ninth  Day  of  March  Inst*  the  x\nnual 
Town  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Newington  aforesaid  was 
observed  & held  at  which  meeting  there  was  much  Contest  and 
Disorder. 

That  such  Irregularities  & abuses  were  there  Tolerated  as 
ought  not  to  be  SulTered  in  any  Civil  Society,  many  Persons 
being  Suffer’d  to  be  voters  who  had  neither  freehold  nor  any 
other  Estate  in  the  Town  and  others  who  (afterwards)  boasted 
they  had  put  in  four  or  five  votes  to  a man — That  many  Per- 
sons objected  against  for  not  having  Sufficient  Estate  to  Entitle 
them  to  vote  were  yet  allow’d  to  be  qualified  voters — whereby 
the  affairs  of  the  said  Meeting  were  Transacted  & Determined 
in  such  a manner  as  is  Contrary  to  the  minds  of  many  of  the 
Free  holders  of  the  Town,  and  to  the  Gen*  Interest  of  the  said 
Town  & in  Particular  in  removing  a certain  high  way — Where- 
fore your  Petition*’®  Humbly  pray  that  in  yo*’  Great  wisdom  you 
would  Explain  the  Law  relating  the  Qiialification  of  voters  in 
Town  meetings,  that  we  may  have  no  further  Disputes  of  that 
Sort — that  you  would  declare  the  meeting  afores”  void,  & order 
another  for  the  Choice  of  Town  officers  & the  other  matters 


♦This  name  was  originally  Hate-evil. 


712 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Transacted  at  the  Same,  that  so  the  said  abuses  may  be  re- 
moved, & Discountenanced — & yo’’  Petition’’®  Shall  ever  pray 

James  Colbroth 
John  hodgdon 
James  place 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  Aug.  i8,  1737,  the  proceedings  of  said 
meeting  were  declared  to  be  void,  and  the  old  board  of  se- 
lectmen were  authorized  to  call  another  meeting. — Ed.] 


John  Nutter 
John  Vincent 
Alexander  hodgdun 
Moses  Dam 
Tames  Nutter 

his 

Richard  X Plasee 

mark 


Eleazar  Coleman 
Sam^^  Fabyan 
moses  furbur 
John  Hoyt 
Christopher  Hunt- 
tress 


[7-205]  '^Additional  Petition  concerning  the  7natter.~\ 

Whereas  there  was  a petition  preferred  to  the  Gen'*  Court 
Setting  att  Portsm”  in  Newhamp’’  on  the  i®'  of  Apriel  Last  past 
(by  Sundry  of  the  ffreeholders  & Inhabitants  of  Newington  in 
the  province  of  Newhamp’’  aforesaid)  Setting  forth  Sundry 
Abuses  & Irregularitys  which  were  Tolerated  att  a Town 
Meeting  held  att  s’*  Newington  on  the  Twenty  Ninth  Day  of 
March  Last,  And  wee  the  Subscribers  Not  having  An  Op- 
portunity of  Signing  said  petition  with  the  then  petitioners 
Doe  now  Joyn  with  them  in  praying  the  Assistance  of  the 
hon*’*®  Court  (for  the  Reliefs  of  the  Town  as  sett  forth  in  s’*  pe- 
tition) and  yo’’  petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  Shall  Ever  pray 

Aug®‘  4^*’  1737 

John  dam  Thomas  Leighton  Nehemiah  furber 

Hattevil  Nutter  Thomas  Row  Jethro  furbur 

william  furber  Henery  Nutter  Jol^^^  Huntriss 


[7-206]  \^More  Irregularities  in  Pown-Meeting^  77^5.] 

To  the  Hon*’*®  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Province 
of  New  Hampshire  Assembled  the  24**’  Day  of  Jan^  1744-5 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Freeholders  & Inhabi- 
tants of  Newington  In  Said  Province  Shews — 

That  Monday  the  21®*  Instant  was  the  Day  Appointed  for  the 
Choice  of  A Suitable  Person  to  Represent  the  said  Town  in 
the  General  Assembly  Pursuant  to  a Notification  Issued  by  the 


NEWINGTON. 


713 


Select  Men  of  said  Town  for  that  Purpose  Agreeable  to  which 
a Meeting  was  held  but  not  Governed  & Managed  According 
to  Law  Nor  Order  & Decency — 

That  two  Persons  were  Nominated  Viz  George  Walton  Esq*' 
and  M*"  Lemuel  Bickford  for  whom  the  Voters  where  Near 
Equally  Divided  Untill  two  Persons  Appeared  and  put  In  their 
Votes  In  favour  of  the  said  Walton  who  where  not  Qiialified 
Voters  to  which  Several  of  Your  Petitioners  Objected  & Told 
the  moderator  they  were  not  Voters  which  He  Denied  Affirm- 
ing They  were  and  Declared  the  said  Walton  was  the  Person 
Chosen  to  Represent  the  said  Town  the  Objectors  Demanded 
(as  Soon  As  they  could  Speak)  That  the  matter  might  be  de- 
termined by  y®  Poll  & so  Discover’d  weither  any  Persons  Voted 
who  were  not  Qualified  and  tho  This  was  Requested  by  A 
Greater  Number  Then  the  Law  In  that  Case  Deems  Sufficient 
Yet  it  was  Absolutely  & Arbitrarily  Denied  & Refused  by  Him 
& Insisted  On  That  the  said  Walton  was  the  man  Chosen — 
That  Your  Petitioners  Apprehend  it  to  be  a Great  Infring- 
ment  of  the  Rights  of  the  Voters  to  Refuse  to  Have  any  Doubt- 
full  matter  Determined  by  tlie  Poll  as  well  as  a Breach  of  the 
Law  In  that  Case  Provided — And  that  as  this  Is  an  affair  of 
Consequence  to  the  People  Greater  Care  at  Such  meetings 
ought  to  be  Taken  Than  In  Common  Cases  Sz  Every  Person 
has  a Right  to  Be  Patiently  Heard  by  the  moderator  to  Pro- 
pose His  Objection  against  the  Proceedings  and  the  Greater 
the  Number  Is  that  make  any  Motion,  the  Greater  Regard 
ouofht  to  be  Had  to  it  and  when  it  Is  Su^srested  that  Persons 
Vote  who  are  not  Qualified  It  Is  a Matter  Not  Slightly  much 
Less  Arbitrarily  to  be  Pass’d  Over — Especially  In  this  Case 
where  all  the  Voters  ought  to  be-  freeholders  Wherefore  your 
Petitioners  Humbly  pray  that  the  said  Walton  may  not  be 
Allowed  to  Represent  the  said  Town  that  the  Management  of 
the  said  Meeting  may  be  Inquired  into  and  the  Legallity  of  the 
Choice  Aforesaid  Tried  and  an  Order  Past  for  a New  Choice 
if  it  Shall  be  found  to  be  Illegal  and  Your  Petitioners  as  In 
Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 


John  Knight 
Lemuel  Bickford 
Moses  Furbur 
John  Downing  Jun 
Joshua  Downing 
W"^  H untries 
Sami  Huntris 


John  Huntris 
Joshua  Pickerin 
George  Coolbroth 
John  Stevens 
Samll  Fabyan 
Dependance  Bick- 
ford 


Jethro  Furbur 
NicU  Knight 
Jethro  Bickford 
Thomas  Leighton 
James  Coolbroth 


A Copy  Examd  per 


Hen.  Sherburne  Cler  assembly 


714 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[George  Walton  was  dismissed  from  the  H.  of  Rep.  and  a 
new  election  ordered,  at  which  John  Fabyan  was  elected. — Ed.] 

[7-208]  \_Deposition  of  Hate-evil  JVutter.^ 

The  Deposition  of  Hatevil  Nutter  of  full  age  Testifieth  and 
saith  that  on  the  29^^  Day  of  March  Last  past  being  the  Anual 
Meeting  for  the  parrish  of  Newington  : there  was  att  said  Meet- 
ing Verry  Irrugaler  Carrings-on  of  the  Affars  of  the  business 
of  s^  Meeting  by  Sundry  being  Tolerated  as  Voters  that  two 
that  never  were  Rated  in  the  Town  and  Some  that  had  no 
Estate  there  known  by  which  means  they  Obtain’d  a Vote  for 
the  Choice  of  the  Selectmen  And  upon  the  Acco*  of  Such 
Irruglarities  Several  of  the  ffreeholders  Desired  : a Dissission 
of  the  Matter  by  a pole  but  was  Denyed  that  privelidge 

[7-207]  \_Relative  to  a Road  laid  out  in  i6^6d\ 

Newington  March  5*^  ^74^ 

We  the  Subscribers  Select  Men  of  y®  Town  or  Parish  of 
Newington  aforesaid  have  this  day  perambulated  the  Bounds  of 
y®  Road  or  high  way  granted  by  the  Town  of  Dover  in  the  year 
1656 — which  takes  its  beginning  at  or  near  a place  called  Jef- 
frey Rag  his  house  (as  by  Dover  Town  Book  will  more  fully 
appear  reference  their  to  being  had)  in  manner  following  viz* 
beginning  four  poles  to  the  northward  of  a Stone  wall  between 
the  Land  of  Sam'^  and  JiP  Huntriss  and  Samuel  Rawlins  late 
of  Newington  aforesaid  Deceased  and  running  as  the  Fence 
runs  to  the  head  thereof  keeping  the  distance  of  four  poles 
from  every  part  thereof  and  then  South  Sixty  Six  degrees  west 
to  the  Road  that  lead’s  from  Portsmouth  to  bloody  point  ferry 
then  crossing  the  last  mentioned  road  and  running  four  poles 
distance  from  the  fence  on  the  south  side  of  Joseph  Rawlins 
Orchard  and  keeping  that  distance  from  the  Fence  through  all 
the  length  of  Sam'^  Rawlins  Land  aforesaid  to  the  north  West 
Corner  thereof  and  then  through  the  land  of  y®  Honorable  John 
Downing  Esqu*"  South  Sixt}^  two  degrees  thirty  minutes  west 
to  a hemlock  tree  standing  in  the  Eastermost  Corner  of  the 
Parsonage  land  which  s^  Hemlock  Stands  in  the  line  between 
Portsmouth  & Dover  as  it  runn’s  from  Canneys  Cove  to  Hogg- 
stye  Cove  and  then  keeping  the  line  between  the  said  Towns 
till  it  Comes  to  the  old  Road  leading  from  Greenland  to  bloody 
point  ferry 

John  Knight  J 

Jn°  Downing  Jun’’  > Selectmen 

Jethro  Furbar  ) 

Copy  Examin’d  per  Geo  : Jaffrey  Cl 


NEWINGTON. 


715 


[7-209]  \_Deposition  of  Thornas  T'ibbetts.~\ 

The  Deposition  of  Cap‘  Tho®  Tibbetts  of  Dover  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  Plarnpshire  aged  eighty  eight  years  who  Testifyeth 
& Saith  that  ever  Since  his  Remembrance  the  Point  of  Land 
where  Jonathan  Battishals  Dwelling  house  now  stands  in  New- 
ington, in  the  aforesaid  Province  was  Commonly  called  & 
known  by  the  name  of  Jeffry  Raggs  Point — 

Tho®  Tibbetts 


[7-210]  \_Deposition  of  Abigail  Richaf'dsP\ 

The  Deposition  of  Abigail  Richards  aged  Seventy  three  years 
that  about  Sixty  years  ago  or  thereabouts  the  Deponant  Re- 
membered a high  way  people  used  down  to  the  water  Side  on 
the  Northerly  Side  where  John  Rawlingses  House  Stood  and 
running  down  next  to  where  Huntres  fence  now  Stands  & 
then  running  on  fore  side  of  Sam*^  Rawlingses  Orchard  and 
from  thence  down  on  y®  north  of  the  Spring  to  the  Slip  at  the 
waterside  and  the  Deponant  further  saith  that  she  very  well 
remembers  that  people  used  to  hall  lumber  down  to  the  water- 
side by  Huntress  fence  the  Deponant  being  a Daughter  of 
Rawlings  & lived  on  the  place  or  there  abouts  for  forty  years 

tbe  mark  of 

Abigail  H Richards 


[7-21 1]  \_Deposition  of  foseph  Richards 

The  Deposition  of  Joseph  Richards  of  Rochester  aged  Sev- 
enty nine  years  testifyeth  and  saith  that  he  being  requested  by 
Mess"  John  Knight  & John  Downing  junr  to  give  what  Infor- 
mation he  could  concerning  a high  way  lately  laid  out  in  the 
Parish  of  Newington  by  the  Said  Knight  & Downing  as  Select- 
Men  of  Said  Newington,  as  he  is  informed,  having  taken  a 
View  of  the  Said  way  where  Said  Knight  Said  it  was  laid  out, 
Say’s  that  upwards  of  fifty  years  Since  he  the  Deponent  was 
acquainted  with  the  land  Claimed  by  Rawlings  and  that  when 
he  first  knew  them  lands  there  was  a path  used  by  Samuel 
Rawlins  the  Son  of  James  Rawlins  & others  thro’  the  woods 
Some  places  in  and  others  near  by  where  said  Road  is  now  laid 
out  down  towards  the  River  till  they  come  to  Said  Samuels  In- 
closure and  that  after  the  Crop  & graising  of  his  field  was  done 
in  the  fall  the  Barrs  laid  open  and  that  path  used  for  carrying 
lumber  to  the  River  turning  of  to  the  northward  in  the  Inclos- 
ure before  they  got  f River  wher  the  way  now  is  laid  out  & 
coming  to  it  at  the  Slip  ab‘  thirty  Rods  above  the  Said  Inclos- 


7i6 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


ure  not  lying  open  in  Summer  Season  & that  Since  (viz‘)  ab‘ 
thirty  three  years  ago  a division  of  S^  Lands  was  made 
among  the  Heirs  of  the  S*^  James  who  open’d  & used  a Road 
for  considerable  time  more  northerly  between  the  lands  then  of 
John  Rawlins  & Samuel  Rawlins  down  to  the  River  and  the 
Deponant  add’s  he  lived  with  Samuel  Rawlins  a son  of  y*^  said 
Ja®  before  this  deponant  was  married  wdio  lived  at  the  Same 
place — 

[Sworn  to  in  court  of  judicature  at  Portsmouth. — Ed.] 


[7-212]  \_Inhabitants  of  Newington  concerning  said  Road ^ 

'■75J-] 

Province  of  Newhamp*" 

To  the  Honorable  the  Justices  of  his  Majesty*  Court  of  Gener- 
ali Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  Said  Province  holden  at  Ports- 
mouth Within  and  for  Said  Province  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
September  1753 — 

Humbly  Shew  the  Inhabitants  of  Newington  in  Said  Prov- 
ince— 

That  in  the  Year  1656  the  Town  of  Dover  in  Said  province 
Granted  a Cart  way  of  four  Polls  or  rods  wide  from  the  water 
Side  at  Jaftrey®  Ragg  his  house  and  So  into  the  w^ood®  to  the 
Old  Way  Which  way  So  Granted  was  then  in  the  Township  of 
Dover  but  now  in  Newington  aforesaid  and  was  many  Years 
kept  open  and  Used  as  people  had  Occation  Without  Interrup- 
tion Untill  Samuel  Rawlins  Late  of  Newington  aforesaid  yeo- 
man Deceased  Some  few  years  before  his  Decease  fenced  up 
and  Took  that  part  of  Said  way  which  Runs  by  the  Land  he 
Claim‘d  into  his  Inclosure  and  in  the  Life  time  of  the  Said  Sam- 
uel at  his  Majesty®  Sup''  Court  of  Judicature  held  at  portsmouth 
Within  and  for  Said  province  on  the  24*^  Day  of  August  1748 
By  adjournment  the  Said  Samuel  Rawlins  was  Convicted  and 
Adjudged  Guilt}' of  fencing  Up  and  Incumbering  the  Said  Way 
So  far  as  his  Lands  run  and  in  and  by  the  Same  Judgem*  it 
was  Ordered  that  the  Said  Incumbrance  Should  be  Removed  & 
the  Said  Way  Laid  open  but  the  Judgement  of  Said  Court  has 
not  been  Duly  Executed  and  Notwithstanding  the  Said  Convic- 
tion and  order  of  the  Said  Court  Allice  the  widow  Relict  of  the 
Said  Deceased  and  Samuel  his  Son  who  are  in  possession  of  his 
Estate  Continue  the  Said  Incumbrance  and  will  not  Suffer  the 
Same  to  be  Removed  whereby  not  Only  the  Said  Inhabitants  of 
Newington  but  all  Other  his  majesty®  Subjects  are  Deprived  of 


NEWINGTON. 


717 


their  Right  of  passing  and  Repassing  at  Said  place  as  they  have 
Occation  That  the  Said  Way  is  Very  Necessary  and  would  be 
of  Great  Conveniency  to  the  Publick  if  Opened  for  that  there  is 
no  publick  way  or  passage  to  the  River  from  the  old  way  above 
mentioned  nor  aCross  the  Particular  Lotts  but  this  above  Grant- 
ed for  near  three  Miles  and  there  is  no  Obstruction  to  or  in  Any 
Other  part  thereof  than  what  was  made  By  the  Said  Samuel 
Deceased  and  Continued  as  aforesaid  Wherefore  the  Said  In- 
habitants pray  the  advisement  of  the  Said  Courts  in  the  Prem- 
isses that  your  Honours  Would  Order  the  Said  Incumbrance  to 
be  Removed  that  the  Said  Inhabitants  and  Others  may  Enjoy 
the  Priviledge  of  Said  Way  and  not  Suffer  Private  Persons  to 
possess  Lands  Granted  and  Appropriated  to  Such  a Necessary 
Publick  Use  By 

Moses  Furbur  ) their 

Ellephalett  Dam  ) agents 


A True  Copy 

[7-213] 


atb  H Wentworth  Cle^ 


A Schedule  of  The  Mens  Names  Petitioners  of  The  Town  of 


Joseph  Adorns 
John  Fabyan 
Jam®  Pickrin 
Eleazer  Coalman 
Joshua  Pickrin 
Jam®  Colbroth 
RiclP  Downing 
John  Hoyt 
Joshua  Trickey 
SanF  Fabyan 
Harrisson  Downing 
W"^  Shackford 
Jethro  Bickford  JuiF 
Thom®  Pickrin 
RiclV  Downing  Juff 
Joseph  Pickrin 
Hatevil  Nutter  JuiP 


Newington 

John  Pickrin 
John  Downing  JuiF 
John  Knight  Jun*' 
Edward  Walker 
Jonathan  Huntris 
Joseph  Rawlings 
Thom®  Bickford 
SanF  Shackford 
Anthony  Nutter 
Jonathan  Downing 
Nehe*"  Furber 
Moses  Furber 
Thom®  Laighton 
Eliphelet  Dam 
Rich‘S  Dam 
Josiah  Downing 
JuiP 


Rich^  Furber 
Jethro  Furber 
John  Nutter 
Jam®®  Nutter 
Benj“  Colbroth 
Sam''  Nutter 
NiclP  Night 
Lem"  Bickford 
JoiP  Trickey 
George  Walton 
Christopher  Huntris 
W"^  Huntris 
Seth  Ring 
Edward  Rawlins 
Phin®  Coalman 
Benj'^  Miller 
Jonathan  Batteshal 


[7-214]  \^Depositio7t  of  George  Walton.^ 

The  Deposition  of  Geo  Walton  of  Newington  in  the  prov- 
ince of  Newhamp’’®  Esq’’  of  ffull  Age  Testifieth  and  Saith  that 
Some  Years  past  he  was  att  the  house  of  Sam"  Rawlings  Late 
of  Newington  Dec"  (and  in  the  time  of  his  Mothers  life)  and 


7i8 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


was  Called  there  by  him  and  his  aforesaid  Mother  m*"®  Rebecca 
Rawlings  in  Order  to  make  a Settlement  of  the  Estate  amongst 
the  Childerin  of  her  the  Said  Rebecca  att  which  time  the  Said 
Deponant  Asked  the  S^  Rebecca  the  reason  of  her  Son  Samuel 
haveing  a Wider  quantity  of  the  Land  then  the  Other  Breather- 
in,  upon  which  She  the  S*^  M*"®  Rawlings  Said  there  was  a 
Road  or  high  way  to  come  out  of  her  Son  Samuels  part,  of 
four  Rodds  Wide  Whereupon  I the  I Said  Deponant  asked  S*^ 
m*'®  Rawlings  Where  abouts  the  S'*  way  was  upon  which  She 
came  to  the  Door  and  pointed  her  hand  toward  huntrisses  Land 
and  Said  itt  was  Over  upon  that  Side — 

George  Walton 

[Sworn  to  before  John  Downing,  justice  of  the  peace. — 
Ed.] 


[7-220]  S^Deposition  of  Samuel  Huntress.^ 

The  Deposition  of  Samuel  Hunttriss  of  Newington  in  the 
Proviance  of  Newhampshire  aged  Sixty  Six  years  of  age  testi- 
fyeth  & Saith  that  he  was  well  knowing  to  the  Land  of  Raw- 
lings & to  the  Point  that  is  Called  Jatfry  Raggs  Point  & that 
my  father  and  my  mother  & old  mis  Rawlings  told  me  thatjaf- 
fry  Ragg  did  Live  upon  the  Point  Nigh  where  Jonathan  Bat- 
terShill  Dwelling  house  Now  Stands  & I was  with  the  Sons  of 
the  Said  Rebeka  in  making  their  Diveding  fences  and  did  not 
hear  any  one  of  them  Say  any  thing  about  a high  way  Going 
through  the  Said  John  or  Samuels  Land  but  I Did  hear  old  mis 
Rawlings  Say  theire  wos  to  goe  a high  way  through  hir  Sons 
Joseph  Laid  from  the  Point  where  Jaffry  Raggs  house  Did 
Sand  and  the  Depoant  further  Sayeth  That  he  Rembers  when 
that  old  Rawlings  old  house  did  Stand  over  where  they  have 
Laid  the  high  way  which  is  in  the  middle  of  the  Said  way 
where  it  Is  now  Laid  and  I Remember  that  Joseph  Richards 
had  one  or  two  Children  born  in  it  & I did  help  take  the  Same 
Down  and  did  help  Cary  the  Same  over  and  Raise  the  Same 
up  between  their  Dwelling  house  and  learn  that  it  is  now 
Standing  where  the  Said  alice  and  Samuel  hir  Son  does  now 
live  & further  say  not 

bis 

Samuel  X Hunttriss 

mark 


[7-215]  \^P)’oceedings  of  Court  of  Ge7teral  Sessions, 
Province  of  Newhamp*' 

At  his  Majesty®  Court  of  Generali  Sessions  for  the  Peace  Hold- 
en at  Portsmouth  Sep^*"  the  4^*^  ^753 — 


NEWINGTON. 


719 


Upon  Reading  the  Complaint  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Newing- 
ton against  Allice  Rawlins  & Samuel  Rawlins  for  Incloseing  a 
high  Way  Ordered  by  the  Court  that  Allice  Rawlins,  & Sam- 
uel Rawlins  be  Served  with  a Copy  of  this  Complaint  and  Or- 
der thereon  that  they  May  Shew  Cause  if  Any  they  have  why 
this  motion  may  not  be  Granted  at  the  Next  Term 

Att  H Wentworth  Clark 

And  the  Said  Allice  & Samuel  Come  into  Court  and  Say  that 
they  have  no  Objection  to  Make  against  the  High  Way  Granted 
by  the  Town  of  Dover  in  the  Year  1656  be  Opened  and  all  In- 
cumbrances be  Removed  there  from  so  far  as  the  Same  is  with- 
in the  Land®  in  Possession  of  the  Said  Allice  & Samuel 

per  M.  Livermore  their  attorney 

Prov®  of  New  Hamp® 

At  his  Majesty®  Court  of  Generali  Sessions  for  the  Peace  Hold- 
en at  Portsmouth  Decemb*'  4^*'  i753 — 

The  Inhabitants  of  Newington  Informants  adv.  Allice  Raw- 
lins & SaiY‘  Rawlins 

By  Cont®  from  Last  Term  to  this  by  Order  of  Court  that  Al- 
lice Rawlins  and  Samuel  Rawlins  be  Served  wuth  a Copy  of 
this  Motion  to  Answer  this  Term  if  they  See  Cause  at  which 
Term  the  Said  Allice  and  Samuel  appeared  and  Pleaded  as  on 
file  and  thereupon  the  Court  appointed  Samuel  Hart  and  Dan- 
iel Pierce  Esq*”®  both  of  portsmouth  and  Thomas  Westbrook 
Waldron  of  Dover  Gentleman  to  open  the  Said  Way  Accord- 
ing to  the  Grant  as  they  Shall  apprehend  it  was  and  to  Remove 
all  Incumbrances  thereon  so  far  as  the  Said  way  Lies  within  the 
Possession  of  the  Said  Allice  & Samuel  or  Either  of  them  and 
Make  Return  of  their  doeing  herein  to  this  Court  as  Soon  as 
may  be  Under  this  or  any  two  of  their  hands — 

A True  Copy  att  H Wentworth  Clark 

Prov.  of  Newhamp*’ 

Pursuant  to  the  within  appointment  We  the  Subscribers 
haveing  beared  the  parties  and  the  Evidences  opened  the  way 
and  laid  it  Out  as  follow®  Viz‘  Begining  at  the  Side  of  Piscata- 
qua  River  four  polls  to  the  Northward  of  the  Division  fence 
between  the  Land  of  Sam^  Huntress  & others  on  the  South  Side 
and  allice  & Samuel  Rawlins  on  the  North  Side  And  Run  the 
Said  Road  as  the  Said  fence  runs  to  the  Westerly  Corner  of  the 
Said  Huntress  possession  keeping  the  Distance  of  four  Rods 
from  Every  part  of  Said  fence  then  South  Sixty  five  Degrees 
West  thro®  the  Land  of  Allice  and  Samuel  Rawlins  aforesaid 


720 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


four  Rods  wide  to  the  Road  that  Leads  from  portsmouth  to 
Bloody  Point  ferry  then  Crossing  Said  Road  and  Running  four 
Rods  wide  on  the  North  Side  of  the  Said  Allice  and  Samuel 
Rawlins  their  Land  to  the  westerly  End  thereof  keeping  the 
Distance  of  four  Rods  Southward  from  Every  part  of  the  Di- 
viding fence  between  the  Land®  of  the  Said  Allice  and  Samuel 
and  the  Heirs  of  Joseph  Rawlings  Deceased  N 3 That  Samuel 
Hart  Esq*'  was  With  us  when  we  Divided  the  Land  and  beared 
the  parties  & Evidences  Contending 

D Pierce 

Tho®  W.  Waldron 

A True  Copy  att‘  H Wentworth  Cle*^ 


[7-216]  \^Proceedings  of  Courts 

Prov : of  New  Hamps*' 

At  His  Majesty®  Court  of  General  Sessions  for  the  Peace  Hold- 
en at  Portsm®  In  & for  Said  Province  on  the  First  Tuesday  in 
June  being  the  4*^^  Day  of  Said  month  1754 — 


Present 


The  HonH®  Daniel  Warner 
Joseph  Simpson 
Clem*  march 
Sampson  Sheaf 
JoslP  Peirce 
Rich**  Jennes 
Tho®  Wibird 


^ Esq*"®  Just® 


J 


The  Inhabitant®  of  Newington  in  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  CompDadv® — 

Allice  Rawlins  & Samuel  Rawlins  both  of  Said  Newington 
in  Said  Province  Respt® — 

at  the  Term  before  the  Last  Continued  for  the  Committee  to 
make  Report  of  their  Laying  open  the  high  Way 

at  the  Last  Term  Continued  to  this  by  order  of  Court  for  to 
Enquire  about  the  Return  of  the  high  Way — 

at  this  Term  ordered  by  the  Court  that  the  Return  of  the 
high  Way  be  and  hereby  is  Received  and  approved  off  as  per 
Return  on  file 

It  is  therefore  Considered  by  the  Court  that  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  of  the  high  Way  is  hereby  Received  and  that  the 
high  Way  be  opened  According  to  Law  Immediately — 

A True  Copy  att*  H Wentworth  Cle*' 


NEWINGTON. 


721 


[7-217]  \_^eport  of  Committee  o?i  said  Road,  7755.] 


Province  of  New  Hampshire 


Whereas  we  the  Subscribers  bein^  of  a Committee  appointed 
by  the  Hon’®  y®  Council  & house  of  Representatives  of  Prov- 
ince on  the  9”'  of  April  1755  to  Examine  into  a way  lying  in 
the  Township  of  Newington  in  Said  Province,  concerning 
which  wav  Alice  Rawlins  Wid°  and  Samuel  Rawlins  Husband- 
man  are  Petitioners — 

We  of  y®  Committee  have  accordingly  examined  into  the  Way 
afores'’  & having  heard  the  Evidences  on  both  Sides  and  for  Re- 
port— Say — That  the  Said  Way  (being  a four  Rod  Cart  Way) 
ought  to  begin  at  a Point  on  which  the  House  of  one  Battishall 
now  Stands  which  appears  to  us  by  the  Return  & other  Evi- 
dences to  be  the  Point  formerly  called  Jaffrey  Raggs  Point  and 
from  the  Water  Side  there  to  take  its  beginning  & run  upon  a 
South  West  & by  West  Line  into  the  Woods  to  the  old  Way 
agreeable  to  the  return  made  by  Lieut’  Hall  and  Sargent  Fiu'ber 
anno  1656  were  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  Town  of  Do- 
ver 


Portsm®  Sep’'  y®  17”^  ^755 


Sampson  Sheafe  ) 
Jos  : Newmarch  j 


Committee 


m’’  Israeli  Gilman  one  of  the  Committee  Consented  to  the 
above  report  but  was  not  present  to  Sign  it 

attest,  Sampson  Sheafe 


[Documents  numbered  221  and  222  in  manuscript  volume 
are  plans  relating  to  foregoing. — Ed.] 


[7-223]  \_Relative  to  Lhie  between  this  town  and  Ports- 
mouth, /ydj.] 

To  His  Excellency  Penning  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General 
Governor  & Comm’'  in  Chief  in  & over  His  Majestys  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  The  Honble  His  Maiestys  Council, 
and  House  of  Rej^resentatives  in  General  Assembly  Conven- 
ed, Dec’'  13”’  1763. 

The  humble  Petition  of  John  Knight  Esq’' and  John  Pickerin 
Husbandman  Inhabitants  of,  and  iVgents  for,  the  Parish  of 
Newington  in  the  said  Province  Sheweth 

That  in  the  year  1713  the  said  Parish  was  first  legally  Set  of 
& Seperate  from  Dover 
48 


722 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


That  in  17141  for  the  better  Direction  of  Constables  in  Col- 
lecting Publick  Taxes  &c,  the  General  Court  upon  due  Consid- 
eration fixed  the  Bounds  of  Newington  aforesaid  as  follows  Viz‘ 
From  Piscataqua  River  by  the  Inhabitants  following  Viz‘  James 
Gray,  Henry  Bennet,  Joseph  Johnson  Samuel  Thompson  and 
Thomas  Pickerin  upon  the  Great  Bay,  And  Ordered  that  those 
Inhabitants  with  the  Lands  and  Estates  they  then  lived  upon  & 
whosoever  sho^^  live  upon  them  thereafter  or  build  within  the 
Limits  aforesaid  sho*^  pay  their  parish  Taxes  to  Newington 
That  the  aforesaid  Boundarys  so  determined  by  the  General 
Court  is  so  Crooked  and  uncertain  as  to  be  matter  of  great  Dis- 
pute between  Newington  and  the  Town  of  Portsmouth,  which 
matter  might  be  remedied  by  fixing  a Streight  Line  from  Grays 
at  Piscataqua  River  to  Pickerins  Farm  at  the  Great  Bay. 

That  the  Owners  and  Possessors  of  the  Lands  and  Farms 
upon  the  said  Line  have  not  any  Objection  as  your  Pefi®  appre- 
hend to  the  Line  last  mentioned. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  pray  your  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours to  take  the  premises  into  Consideration  And  that  the  said 
Line  last  mentioned  may  for  the  future  be  the  proper  Boundary 
between  the  said  Parish  of  Newington  and  Town  of  Portsmouth 
And  your  PeP  will  Ever  pray  &c 

John  Knight  Juner 
John  Pickreng 

[In  H.  of  Rep.,  May  9,  1764,  Simeon  Dearborn,  of  Green- 
land, was  appointed  to  make  a plan  of  the  boundary  line  as 
it  then  was,  and  report. — Ed.] 


[R-  3-34] 

[Nathaniel  Ham,  in  a petition  dated  April  4,  1761,  stated 
“that  he  enlisted  as  a Volunteer  in  the  Late  Expedition  for 
the  Total  Reduction  of  Canada  under  the  Command  of  Cap^ 
George  March,”  and  “ did  much  work  in  Clearing  the  Road 
from  N®four  to  Crown  Point  until  he  broke  two  of  his  ribs.”^ 
He  was  omitted  in  making  up  the  muster-roll,  and  asked  to 
have  it  rectified. — Ed.] 


[ R . 3-3  5 ] [ Mint  a ry  Officers  chosen^  ^775  • ] 

Newington  Octo  i775* 

By  order  of  Congress  the  Commitey  of  Newington  assembled 
the  people  together  and  chose  their  officers  first  Sam'  Shackford 


NEWINGTON. 


723 


& Secondly  Will"*  Furber  thirdly  Eze^  Gilman  Adams  forthly 
Christopher  Nutter  they  all  Decling  to  Accept  under  NF  Eph"* 
Pickering  as  Second  Major  the  Commishons  being  Delivered  to 
us  we  Still  deny  accepting  them  under  the  said  Pickering 

Sam^  Shackford 
W"*  Furbur 


[7-224]  \_Benjamin  Adams’s  Communicatio7i.'\ 

To  the  Honourable  Joshua  Wentworth  Esq*"  Sir  I understand 
you  have  not  thought  me  worthy  of  your  Notic  in  appointing 
me  a Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  County,  notwithstanding  the 
Importunitise  of  my  friends  : and  If  my  memory  Serveth  me 
Right  you  gave  me  Great  Encouragement  your  Self  but  all  I 
find  is  Subsided  : I understand  you  have  had  the  advise  and 
CoLincel  of  Hushai : who  Counceled  against  Ahitophel  which 
has  turned  against  me  I understand  there  has  been  many  Objec- 
tions against  me  by  my  Enemies  I Know  them  and  I Shall  Set 
a mark  upon  them  as  was  Set  upon  Cain  when  he  Slew  his 
Brother  Abel  because  his  ways  were  Righteous  and  his  wicked  : 
I understand  One  Great  Objection  is  that  I was  not  friendly  in 
the  beginning  of  the  Revolution.  I Confess  I Did  not  Step  for- 
ward at  first  for  many  Good  Reasons  which  I Could  ofier  If 
time  and  paper  would  allow  being  acquainted  with  History  both 
Civil  and  Sacred.  I was  afraid  to  act  as  forwardly  as  Some 
have  Done  Least  I Should  ofiend  against  God  and  the  Dictates 
of  my  Own  Concience  my  Estate  has  Done  Its  part  or  more  Sir 
you  may  Remember  twelve  Dollers  in  hard  money  being  in 
your  hands  in  a Lottery  way  you  advanced  to  help  the  troops 
when  In  distress  in  Canaday  and  I was  Paid  in  Paper  with  a 
Considerable  Loss  : I understand  it  is  Objected  that  there  is  two 
Justices  in  Newington  It  being  a Small  town  two  was  Sifficient 
I may  Justly  Say  that  there  is  not  one  Properly  Specking,  for 
Richard  Downing  Esq^  has  not  Taken  the  Oath  nor  will  he  If 
he  must  Pay  a Doller  for  hisCommision  as  he  told  me  him  Self 
and  the  Other  is  as  the  Learned  Observeth  : Vox  Et  Preteria 
Nihil : I am  afraid  that  you  Gentlemen  in  authority  are  Riming 
into  the  Old  Error  In  promoteing  of  men  without  Knowlage  or 
Goodnes  and  Neglecting  men  of  Learning  and  Religion  which 
is  a great  Error  When  the  Righteous  are  in  authority  the  People 
Rejoice  ; but  when  the  wicked  bare  Rule  the  People  mourn, 
another  Objection  is  the  people  in  Newington  are  against  me  I 
know  it  what  is  the  reason  It  is  not  against  my  morral  Carracter 
nor  Capasity  in  a Civil  or  Religious  way  for  I have  Served  them 
as  a Church  Officer  more  than  thirty  years  and  Near  twentv  in 
a Civil  List  Sir  I will  Give  you  a Short  Detail  on  the  matter  In 


724 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


the  year  i77^  Select  men  Cam  to  Pay  my  father  his  Salary 
for  one  year  which  was  one  hundred  Silver  Dollers  which  they 
had  Paid  : for  A number  of  years  and  no  more  being  onely  one 
third  of  his  Sallery  yearly  and  they  Brought  him  a hundred  pa- 
per Dollers  in  the  Lue  there  of  which  was  onely  Seven  Pounds 
ten  Shillings  by  the  Scale  and  he  Refused  to  Give  them  a Dis- 
charge in  full  and  the  town  Passed  a Vote  Not  to  Pay  him  any 
more  Salary  till  he  Did  Give  them  a Discharge  in  full  and  they 
Paid  him  no  more  to  the  time  of  his  Death  and  I was  In  duty 
bound  to  Support  him  to  the  time  of  his  Death  ; and  then  to 
burrey  him  without  any  assistance  from  the'  town  and  Some 
years  Since  his  Death  the  town  has  Compounded  with  me  and 
has  Given  their  Security  for  though  an  Inferiour  Sum  which  is 
the  Cause  of  their  Malice  against  me  as  to  my  being  an  Enemy 
to  my  Countery  I Deny  the  Charge  I always  was  and  Ever  have 
been  Redy  and  willing  to  Defend  it  in  Person  and  Estate  and 
am  Now  Redy  and  willing  to  Support  Government  provided  I 
am  properly  treeted  and  promoted  by  those  in  authority  or 
Otherwise  I vShall  be  Discouraged  and  Probeblly  may  let  mat- 
ters take  their  Course  wn'thout  my  Intermedling  in  those  matters 
I apprehend  it  is  a poor  time  to  mak  Enemies  against  Govern- 
ment the  Country  is  full  of  them  alredy  to  my  Certain  Knowl- 
age  and  I fear  the  Consequence  If  Som  thing  Is  not  Done 
Speedilv  : for  the  President  and  Counsel  to  hear  the  nonsensi- 
cal Rabble  agains  Men  of  Influenc  is  Strange  and  Surpriseing : 
I Ever  have  Given  my  Vote  for  CoP  Wentworth  for  a Senator 
and  Ever  Expected  to  Use  my  Influenc  for  him  in  that  Office 
but  If  matters  turn  agains  me  in  this  way  I have  Done.  I step- 
ed  forward  the  Other  Day  to  Support  Government  and  was  the 
Second  man  to  Coll  Brewster  who  Stoped  the  Insurgents  at  the 
Bridg  till  we  were  properly  Re  in  forsed  by  General  Silley  and 
Others  to  the  hasard  of  my  Life  and  hors  against  their  Naked 
bayonets,  but  the  Poor  mans  Councel  and  assistance  is  Dispised 
as  the  Good  old  mans  Councel  was,  that  Saved  the  City  which  we 
have  an  account  of  in  Scripture  Sir  by  your  Keeping  Me  out  of 
power  may  prevent  My  Doing  a Great  Deel  of  Good  to  Gov- 
ernment and  my  fellow  men  which  I Should  Rejoice  to  Serve 
Provided  there  is  or  may  be  proper  Encouragement;  two  Jus- 
ticies  in  Newington  is  too  many  ; there  is  four  in  Greenland 
and  two  in  one  house  and  No  objection  against  it  but  two  in 
Newington  is  too  many  I remember  four  Coroners  appointed 
in  Newington  Successively  and  not  one  of  them  Could  Draw 
up  an  Inquisition  without  my  help  and  Some  in  the  Civil  List 
are  as  Insufficient  to  DisCharge  their  office  without  my  assist- 
ance I think  these  thing  are  an  Error  in  those  in  Comand  : Sir 
I would  not  have  you  think  I am  Set  up  for  a Dictator  to  those 
in  Government  I onely  wist  to  show  Matters  in  a Clear  light 


NEWINGTON. 


725 


Strictly  Specking  I Do  not  want  [torn  off]  to  any  Set  of  men 
Onely  I wish  to  be  properly  Respected  by  those  in  authority  I 
am  a free  Citizen  and  am  Dependent  [torn]  I Should  think  that 
the  recommendation  of  John  Pickering  Esqr  and  Other  Gentle 
men  in  the  Neighbouring  towns  of  my  acquaintanc  migt  have 
more  Influence  in  the  Councel  than  the  Rabble  party  in  New- 
ington I fear  Government  may  be  Called  on  again  to  Disperse 
the  Insurgent  and  If  that  Should  be  the  Caise  I believe  I Shal 
Endevour  to  Sleep  in  a whole  Skin  and  not  medle  wdiere  I 
have  no  authority  but  I hope  matters  will  be  to  my  Satisfaction 
I Subscribe  My  Self  a true  friend  to  Government  and  would 
Recommend  to  my  Self  and  all  under  my  Influence  to  Remem- 
ber the  words  of  the  aPostle  Paul  in  13^''  Chapter  of  Romans 
Let  Every  Soul  be  Subject  to  the  higher  Powers  for  the  Powers 
that  be  are  ordained  of  God  and  So  onwards. 

Benjamin  Adams — 

P S Sir  If  you  Please  you  may  Communicate  these  Lines  to 
the  President  and  Counce  when  you  See  them  if  you  think  best 
or  otherwise. 


[7-225]  \_Relative  to  the  election  of  Representative^  /7c?2.] 

To  the  Honorable  House  of  Representatives  for  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  in  General  Assembly  Convean’d — 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers  Inhabitants  & Freeholders  of 
Newington  in  the  County  ofRockingham  and  State  aforesaid — 
qualified  by  the  law  of  Said  State  to  Vote  in  Electing  Repre- 
sentative Humblv  Shews  that  Your  Petitioners  togather  with 
Other  Inhabitants  & freeholders  of  Said  Newington  aforesaid 
Qiialified  as  aforesaid  being  Notified  Agreeable  to  the  Preceipt 
to  the  Selectmen  of  Said  Newington  Directed  & Agreeable  to 
the  Common  Custom  Met  in  Said  Newington  on  Monday  the 
Ninth  Day  of  December  Instant  One  O’Clock  afternoon  Two 
of  the  Selectmen  being  Present  Read  the  Preceipt  & then  the 
Notification  & Desired  the  People  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  a 
Moderator  to  Govern  Said  Meeting  Cap‘  Ephraim  Pickering 
Came  forward  & Said  no  man  had  any  Right  to  Vote  in  any 
Matter  or  thing  but  such  as  had  Taken  a Certain  Oath  which 
he  then  Produced  Said  Oath  Being  Read  Many  of  the  People 
had  Taken  the  Same  Oath — Others  Said  they  had  no  Objection 
Against  Taking  Said  Oath — But  to  be  Deprived  of  the  Privi- 
ledge  of  Voting  in  Town  Meeting  Because  they  Could  not 
Swallow  an  Oath  at  first  Sight  without  Consideration  was  De- 
priving them  of  One  of  their  Most  Vahieable  Rights  that  a free 
People  Ought  to  Enjoy  then  the  People  Proceeded  to  the 


726 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Choice  of  a Moderator  & Voted  for  Benj**  Adams  Esq*"  & Cap* 
Ephraim  Pickering  Equal  Votes  but  by  a Despute  arising  about 
a Moderator — Benj“  Adams  Esq*"  Refused  Taking  the  Seat  But 
Cap*  Eph*"  Pickering  took  the  Seat  & then  Proceeded  to  the 
Choice  of  a Representative  Cap*  Eph™  Pickering  Being  Moder- 
ator alow’d  on  his  part  any  Person  to  Vote  whither  Under  Oath 
or  Not — But  the  Oppersite  Party  Vvas  Denyed  Voteing  without 
Taking  Said  Oath  by  which  Means  Cap*  Eph*"  Pickering  was 
Declared  Chosen  Representative  in  Newington  On  which  Dec- 
laration Benj'^  Adams  Esq*"  Came  Forward  & Requested  the 
favour  of  Entering  a Dissent  against  the  Proceedings  of  Said 
Meeting  as  being  Conterary  to  Law  & the  Constitution  which 
we  are  now  under  Said  Dicent  Being  Enter’d  by  fourteen  or 
More  of  the  Inhabitants  then  present  therefore  we  the  Sub- 
scribers are  humblv  of  the  Opinion  that  the  Said  Cap*  Eph™ 
Pickering  is  not  Legally  Chosen  to  Represent  them  in  General 
Assembly  & Ought  not  to  have  a Seat  in  Your  Honourable 
House  & Ought  to  be  Dismised  from  Said  House  and  we  Re- 
quest  that  You  Send  Out  to  Said  Newington  a New  Preceipt  to 
Chuse  a Representative  to  Represent  them  in  General  Assem- 
bly Your  Petitioners  wait  Your  Honourable  Decision  on  Said 
Petition  as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray 

Newington  December  y®  12**^  1782 

Benjamin  Adams'!  Selectmen 

Timothy  Dame  v of 

James  Pickering  ^ Newington 


William  Furbur 
Hatevil  Nutter  jur 
Eliphelet  Dam 
Hatevil  Nutter  3** 
Ebenezer  Nutter 
Nathaniel  Nutter 
Samuel  Dame 
Hatevil  Nutter 
William  Vincent 
Levi  Furbur 


Jethro  furbur 
Joseph  Hodgdon 
Anthony  Vincent 
Nathan  Huntriss 
Joseph  Colbath 
John  Vincent 
Ichabod  Bickford 
Nathan  Webb  Ad- 
ams 

John  Shackford 


Issachar  Dam 
Benjamin  Hodgdon 
Sam**  Walker 
John  Nutter 
Joseph  Qiiint 
Thomas  Quint 
Nickoles  Pickering 
Sam**  Shackford 
Samuel  Rawlings 


[7-226]  \_Petition  for  authority  to  send  a Representative^ 

1784-'] 

State  of  New-Hampshire 

To  the  hon*^*®  the  Councel  and  House  of  Representatives  for 
said  State  in  General  Assembly  conven’d  on  the  30**^  day  of 
March  1784 


NEWINGTON. 


727 


Humbly  shew  the  subscribers  being  more  than  a majority  of 
legal  voters  in  the  Town  of  Newington  in  the  County  of  Rock- 
ingham and  State  afores*^,  that,  the  Inhabitants  have  had  and 
exercised  the  Right  and  privilege  of  sending  a Representative 
to  the  General  Court  for  more  than  sixty  years  past — that  tho’ 
the  number  of  voters  for  the  choice  of  a Representative  is  short 
of  what  the  new  constitution  of  government  requires  in  order  to 
send  a Representative  yet  the  said  Town  is  so  situated  as  ren- 
ders their  being  classed  with  any  other  Town,  Parish  or  Place 
very  inconvenient  Wherefore  your  PetiP  pray  that  a Writ 
may  issue  to  s*^  Town  to  elect  and  send  a Representative  to  the 
General  Court  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray  &c 


Rich*^  Downing 
William  Stoodly 
Samuel  Fabyan 
John  Fabyan 
John  Gee  Pickreing 
Jonathan  Trickey 
George  Laighton 
Step®  J°  Thomas 
Benja  Hodgdon 
Valintine  Pickering 
William  Brassbridge 
John  Ployt 
Joseph  Adams 
John  Pickreng 
John  Stevens 
Seth  Huntriss 
Samuel  Rawlings 
Benj“  Hoyt 
Joshua  Downing 
Samuel  Downing 
Richard  Downing 
Will'“  Huntriss 


Josiah  Downing 
James  pickering 
Jonathan  Qiiint 
Joseph  Qiiint 
Thomas  Qiiint 
John  Hodgdon 
Benj*^  Pickring 
Rich‘S  Peckering 
Christopher  Nutter 
Epheraim  Pickering 
SanF  Fabyan  Juner 
Thomas  Nutter 
Sam^^  Walker 
Dennis  II  ight 
Joel  Laighton 
William  Pickring 
James  Nutter 
Lem^  B.  Mason 
Bening  Colbath 
Thomas  Binder 
John  Pickering 
Juner 


Joseph  Adams  3^ 
Esq’’ 

Jonathan  W Nuter 
Noah  Rawlings 
Joseph  Hodgdon 
Dudleye  Adams 
Joseph  Hi  ght 
John  Adams 
Joseph  Rollings 
Henry  Plart 
Zebelon  Wille 
George  Huntriss 
Joseph  Trickey 
Joseph  Huntriss 
Joseph  Pattinson 
Benjamin  Dame 
Joseph  Pattinson 
Dame 

Noah  Huntriss 
Bartholomew  Down- 

Benjamin  Miller 


[In  H.  of  Rep.,  March  31,  1784,  the  petition  was  grant- 
ed, and  a precept  ordered  to  be  issued. — Ed.] 


£7-229]  \_Co7mnunicatio7i fro7n  Benja7nin  Ada77is^  1/86.'] 

Newington  Dec*"  28  : 1786 

Sir  I Have  been  Informed  that  Some  Expressions  in  the 
Letter  I Wrote  to  you  some  time  past  when  Laid  before  the 
President  and  Counsel  has  Given  some  Umbrace  to  Some  Gen- 


728 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


tlemen  in  Councel  which  I am  Exceeding  Sorry  for  If  any 
such  Expressions  were  Looked  on  as  affrontive  I am  sorry  for 
It : I Did  not  mean  any  such  thing.  I must  Confess  I felt 
some  thing  warm  against  Some  of  my  Enemies  in  my  own 
town  when  I wrote  s^  Letter  and  Did  not  think  so  prudently 
as  probably  I might  have  Done  All  such  Expressions  as  are 
Imprudent  and  affrontive  I am  Sorry  for  and  do  ask  His  Exel- 
lencies  and  the  Councls  Pardon  praying  that  they  may  forgive 
Every  thing  that  has  been  offered  as  affrountive  and  Call  it  an 
error  in  Judgment  or  a Peccadillo  and  not  a Crime  unPardon- 
able  I am  Redy  and  willing  to  Support  Government  and 
Defend  it  at  this  Critical  time  against  all  Invaders  of  our  Sacred 
Rights : and  should  Rejoice  to  be  Incouraged  by  authority  sa 
far  that  I might  Do  it  with  the  Greatest  Charefullness  : I beg 
your  Honours  would  take  my  matter  Into  your  Serious  Con- 
sideration again  and  grant  me  my  request : I ad  no  more  I 
Subscribe  myself  your  true  friend  and  Humble  Sarvant  at  all 
times 

Benjamin  Adams 

To  HoiP  Joshua  Wentworth  Esq*" 

P S Sir — Be  Pleased  to  Lay  the  above  before  the  President 
and  Counsel 


[7—231]  ^^Remonstrance  to  the  Appointme7it  of  Mr.  Adams. 

To  his  Excellency  John  Sullivan  Esquire,  President  of  the 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  &c  &c  &c — 

The  Petition  of  sundry  Persons  Inhabitants  and  Freeholders,, 
of  the  Town  of  Newington  in  said  State,  subscribing  hereto, 
Humbly  sheweth. 

That  your  Petitioners  have  been  informed  that  M*'  Benjamin 
Adams  of  said  Newington  has  been  recommended  by  some 
person  or  persons,  to  your  Excellency,  to  be  appointed  a Jus- 
tice of  y^  Peace.  They  therefore  beg  leave  with  the  greatest 
deference  and  submission  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  said 
M*"  Adams  is  quite  unacceptable  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said 
Town  in  general,  and  as  they  conceive,  to  the  People  of  the 
Countv  at  large.  That  it  is  with  regret  they  thus  express  their 
sentiments  of  a person  whom  they  do  not  wish  to  injure,  but 
they  feel  themselves  constrained  to  speak  their  minds  from  a 
regard  to  your  Excellency,  to  prevent  the  effect  of  mistaken, 
or  Partial  Information,  which  they  have  Heard  has  been 
given,  and  from  a regard  to  the  public  Good,  which  they 
have  the  fullest  Confidence  is  the  Object  of  your  Excellency’s 


NEWINGTON. 


729 


Conduct.  They  therefore  humbly  pray  that  the  said  M*"  Ad- 
ams may  not  be  appointed  to  said  Office,  but  that  your  Excel- 
lency would  be  pleased  to  appoint  M*'  Timothy  Dame  of  said 
Town,  or  some  other  suitable  person,  acceptable  to  the  Peo- 
ple, and  a Friend  to  his  Country  ; as  to  your  wisdom  shall  seem 
good  ; and  they  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray  &c  &c  &c — 

Dated  in  Newington  January  first  1787 — 


Benj“  Coleman 
John  Coleman 
John  Downing 
James  Pickering 
John  Pickering 
Paul  Rawlings  Junr 
Paul  Rawlings 
Joseph  Hodgdon 
Christopher  Nutter 
Joel  Leighton 
Noah  Huntriss 
Anthony  Vincent 
John  Nutter 
Matthius  Nutter 
Juner 


John  Hodgdon 
Henry  Nutter 
Benia  Hodgdon 
Sam*^  Fabyan  Jun^ 
James  Nutter 
Absalom  Pickering 
Benjamin  Dame 
Benjamin  Pickring 
John  Gee  Pickreing 
Nehemiah  Pickerin 
Thomas  Nutter 
Mark  Huntriss 
John  Pickering  Jun 
Levi  Pickering 
Jonathan  Trickey 


William  Furbur 
Dennis  Hight 
Levi  Furbur 
Stephen  Jonas 
thomas 

Hatevil  Nutter 
Jethro  furbur 
Joseph  Hight 
Hatevil  Nutter 
Wm  Nutter 
Nathaniel  Nutter 
Jethro  Nutter 
Samuel  Dame 
Edward  Brassbridge 


[7-228]  [ Certijicate  of  Geo7'ge  Gains  relative  to  Mr.  Ad' 

ams., 

State  of  New  Hampshire  Rockingham  ss  Portsmouth 
1786 — 

These  may  Certifie  all  Whom  it  doeth  or  may  Concern  that 
Benjamin  Adams  Esq’’  of  Newington  Was  some  time  in  the 
Year  1778  brought  before  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  said 
State  being  Charged  with  Inimical  Conduct  towards  his  fellow 
Citizans  in  the  Dispute  with  Brittain  and  after  a full  hearing 
(before  said  Committee)  of  his  accusers  he  the  said  Adams 
Was  honorably  acquitted  the  Subscriber  at  that  time  had  the 
honor  of  being  one  Said  Committee 

George  Gains 


[7-232]  S^Petition  for  the  hicorporatio^i  of  a Library^  ^797 

To  the  Hoif®  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  for  the 
state  of  New  Hampshire,  in  General  Court  Convened  at 
Portsmouth  December  P‘  AD  1797^ — 


730 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


The  Petition  of  the  Subscriber  in  behalf  of  the  Proprietors 
for  forming  Newington  Social  Library — Humbly  Sheweth 

That  the  said  Proprietors  some  years  ago  formed  themselves 
into  a Society  and  have  collected  a Considerable  number  of 
Books,  to  which  they  are  yearly  making  additions,  by  means  of 
which  they  hope  to  promote  and  increase  usefull  knowledge 
among  them,  but  finding  themselves  under  Some  disadvantages 
for  want  of  being  incorporated  into  a Body  Politic,  whereby 
they  may  be  enabled  to  call  upon  each  other.  Your  Petitioner 
therefore  Prays  your  Honours  that  an  Act  may  be  passed. Incor- 
porating the  said  Society  into  a Body  Politic,  and  as  in  Duty 
bound  will  ever  pray — 

Portsmouth  Dec'"  1797 

Ephraim  Pickering 

[The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  library  incorporated. 
—Ed.] 


NEW  IPSWICH. 

The  township  was  granted  by  the  government  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay,  in  1736,  to  some  inhabitants  of  Ipswich 
in  that  province,  as  surveyed  by  Jonas  Houghton.  The  set- 
tlement of  the  province  boundaries  in  1741  severed  a small 
portion  of  the  Massachusetts  grant  from  the  township. 
The  Masonian  proprietors’  claim,  being  confirmed  in  I745» 
annulled  the  aforesaid  grant;  but  the  proprietors  under  it, 
with  others,  applied  to  Col.  Joseph  Blanchard,  agent  for 
said  Masonian  proprietors,  and  succeeded  in  procuring  a 
grant  from  them  at  a small  expense,  said  grant  being  dated 
April  17,  1750.  This  grant  varied  somewhat  from  the 
former,  but  covered  much  of  the  same  territory. 

July  5,  1762,  the  proprietors  chose  Capt.  Reuben  Kidder 
to  get  the  township  incorporated,  which  he  succeeded  in 
doing, — a charter  being  granted  by  the  governor  and  coun- 
cil, dated  Sept.  9,  1762,  to  have  continuance  until  Jan.  i, 
1766,  in  which  the  town  was  named  Ipswich. 

Another  act  of  incorporation  was  granted  March  6,  1766, 
by  the  same  authority,  “ to  have  Continuance  during  Our 
Pleasure  by  the  Name  of  New  Ipswich.” 

New  Ipswich  Academy  was  incorporated  June  17,  1789, 
and  was  the  second  academy  incorporated  in  this  state. 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


731 


Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  being  the  first,  was  incorporated 
April  3,  1781. 


[7—186]  S^Petitio7i  for  authority  to  levy  a special  tax  to 
build  a Aleet ing- House ^ 1^62. 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

To  His  Excellency,  Benning  Wintworth  Esq*"  and  the  Honor- 
able His  maj®  Counsel  & House  of  Representatives — 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Ipswich  Flumbly  Sheweth 
Whereas  we,  thy  poor  Petitioners,  are  Settled  in  the  Wilder- 
ness, and  Labour  under  many  Inconveniences,  which  many 
new  settlements  are  strangers  to  ; Our  Taxes  are  very  heavy 
(considering  our  Poverty)  we  have  not  only  a Tax  to  pay  to 
the  Province  but  our  Minister,  and  other  Taxes,  which  were 
formerly  paid  by  the  Propriety  ; must  now  be  paid  by  a few 
poor  Inhabitants : And  Still  our  Burden  must  Infallibly  In- 
crease, as  we  are  necessitated  to  Build  a Meeting  House,  Since 
the  Plouse  we  now  meet  in  will  not  Serve  the  Inhabitants,  We 
thy  Poor  petitioners  therefore  (Judging  it  Impossible  for  us,  to 
pay  the  Taxes  which  will  be  laid  upon  us,  and  Provide  Neces- 
sary Sustenance  for  our  families)  Earnestly  Pray,  that  you 
Would  Consider  us.  Groaning  under  the  weight  of  Our  Bur- 
dens, and  Grant  us  some  Relief,  by  answering  the  following 
Humble  Request  (viz)  that  you  would  be  Graciously  pleased 
to  Grant  us  a Land  Tax,  to  Enable  us  to  Surmount  the  afore- 
mentioned Difficulties  ; i.  e.  That  you  would  be  pleased  to  Lay 
a Tax,  of  one  penny  Sterling  upon  Each  acre  of  Land  Con- 
tained in  this  Town  (or  as  much  as  shall  be  thought  Reason- 
able by  the  Honorable  Court)  To  be  paid  to  the  Town  Treas*' 
Annually  Dureing  the  Term  of  five  Years,  to  Enable  us  to 
Build  the  afore  Mentioned  Meeting  House  ; we  Likewise  pray 
that  you  would  Order  the  same  Method  of  Gathering  s*^  Tax  as 
was  formerly  Used  in  the  Propriety  (viz)  by  sale  of  the  Delin- 
quents Land  at  publick  Vendue,  we  would  Inform  the  Honor- 
able Court  that  the  Proprietors  Voted  their  willingness  that  the 
above  Tax  should  be  Laid  upon  the  Lands*  We  therefore 
pray  that  you  would  harken  to  our  Humble  Petition,  the  an- 
swer of  which  will  Greatly  Oblige  y*"  Humble  and  Obedient 
Servants 

Dated  at  Ipswich  OctoU  f zP  Anno  Dom.  1762 — 

*At  a Proprietors  meeting  legally  notified  at  Ipswich  ye  i8th  of  Octobr  Instant;  the  Pro- 
prietors of  Ipswich  voted  their  willingness  To  have  a Tax  of  one  penny  Sterling  money  Laid 
upon  each  acre  of  Land  Contained  in  said  Ipswich  to  be  paid  annually  for  the  Term  of  five 
years 

Jonas  Woolscn,  Moderator 

N.  B.  Sd  vote  is  Signed  by  the  Moderator  by  reason  of  the  Clerks  being  absent 


732  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Abel  Wright 
Thomas  Fletcher 
Robert  Waugh 
Samu'^  parker 
Francis  Fletcher 
William  Clary 
Aaron  Kidder 
Joseph  Kidder 
John  Dutton 
Jonah  Crosby 
Asa  Bullard 
albe  severance 
John  Chandler 


Isaac  How 
Peter  Fletcher 
Andrew  Spaulding 
Kendall  Briant 
Hezekiah  Cory 
Robbert  Cambel 
William  Speer 
Benj'^  Gibbs 
william  Sanderson 
Joseph  Bullard 
Andrew  Conn 
Reuben  Taylor 
Joel  Crosby 


Benj*^  Hoar 
moses  Tucker 
John  Preston 
Robert  Crosby 
Reuben  Kidder 
James  French 
Ebenezer  Heald 
Ebene*'  Bullard 
Jonas  woolson 
Benjamin  Safford 
Elias  Stone 
Samuel  whittemore 


[7-187]  \_Renio7tstrance  of  Non-Residents  to  foregoingJ\ 

To  His  Excellency  Bening  Wintworth  Esq’’  The  Honourable 

His  Majesbys  Councel  and  House  of  Representatives  of  y* 

Provence  of  New  Hampshire — 

May  It  pleas  your  Exelency  and  Honours  we  y®  Subscribers 
of  Ipswich  in  y®  Provence  of  y®  Massachusets  Bay  & Sum  of 
y®  Propriaters  of  Ipswich  In  y®  Provence  of  Newhampshire, 
have  Ben  Informed  that  A Numbar  of  y®  Inhabitance  of  the 
same  Ipswich  have  Petitioned  your  Exelency  and  Honours, 
that  a Tax  of  one  Penney  Starling  p*"  acer  be  Layd  on  all  y® 
Lands,  in  s'^  Township  for  y®  space  of  five  vears  to  buld  them 
A Nother  Meeting  House  which  will  be  A bought  Ten  Thou- 
sand pounds  Hamshare  Money,  which  will  buld  one  Large 
A Nough  to  Acomade  them  all  with  Pews  with  out  Aniey  Tax 
on  thare  poals  personal  Estate — or  Improved  Lands  More  than 
they  Desire  to  have  Layd  on  our  Wild  Land  that  Lays  on 
Rocky  Mountains  and  spruce  Swamps — which  we  Aprehend 
Is  so  Unreasonable,  that  it  Is  surprising  to  Us  that  aniey 
should  presume  to  Aske  it  of  your  Honours  of  whom  thay 
have  no  Reason  to  Expecte  aniey  thing  But  what  Is  A Gree- 
able  to  y®  strictest  Justis  and  Equity — But  It  will  a pear  more 
Strange  when  your  Honours  are  Informed  that  we  have  Given 
y®  Inhabetance  our  best  Lotts  on  Conditions  of  there  settleing 
thare  on  bulding  a meeting  house  &c — which  thay  have  Don  & 
so  Holde  thare  Lands  there  for,  but  now  Complain  thare  House 
is  two  Small,  if  it  be  it  is  thare  own  folte  They  should  have 
Bulte  it  Biger,  and  It  is  our  Humble  Opinion  that  it  is  more 
Reasonable  that  thay  should  in  Large  thare  House  that  is  so 
New  then  to  pool  it  Down  and  for  us  to  Buld  them  A nother, 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


733 


Inasmuch  as  y®  Charge  of  preaching  setleing  A Minister  Cleai*- 
ing  Mending  ways  Bidding  Brigis  &c — Haith  ben  all  Defrayd 
by  a Land  Tax  which  Haith  ben  very  Expenceive  and  of  Long 
Continuance.  Wharefore  your  petitioners  Humbly  pray  that 
your  Exelency  and  Honours  would  Not  Lay  so  Heaviey  and 
as  we  humbley  Conceve  Unnesary  A Burdon  on  Us,  all  which 
is  Humblev  Submited  by  your  Exelency  & Honours  Moust 
Humble  Servents — 

Daited  at  Ipswich  April  35,  1763 


Samuel  Wiggles- 
worth 

Francis  Choate 
Isaac  Appleton 


Nehemiah  Portor 
Thomas  Adams 
William  Brown 
Nathanel  Safford 


Jeremiah  Perkins 
Westly  Perkins 


[7-1 88]  \_Relative  to  faying  a Com7nittee  to  locate  the  Aleet- 

htg- House ^ 


Gentlemen 

I am  to  let  you  know  that  the  General  Assembly  are  Inform- 
ed that  you  hitherto  Neglect  and  Refuse  to  pay  the  Committee 
Sent  by  the  General  Assembly  to  Establish  the  Place  where 
your  Meeting  House  is  to  Stand  The  Cost  of  which  Committee 
by  the  Vote  of  the  Assembly  you  were  Order’d  to  pay  And 
your  Refusing  so  to  do  seems  to  be  in  Contempt  of  that  Au- 
thority 

I am  therefore  to  let  you  know  that  the  General  Assembly 
Expect  that  without  Delay  you  pay  said  Committee  their  De- 
mands And  such  Other  Charges  as  may  have  Arisen  in  Conse- 
quence of  your  neglect  hitherto 

Portsmouth  New  Hamps® 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  May  26,  1768 

Bv  Order  M Weare  CV 

•/ 

To  the  Selectmen  of  New  Ipswich 

N B.  Said  Com*®®®  Acco*  is  three  Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings 

[A  committee,  consisting  of  Col.  John  Goffe,  Dr.  John 
Hale,  and  James  Underwood,  was  appointed  Sept.  22,  1767, 
to  locate  the  meeting-house.  This  was  done  in  answer  to  a 
petition  of  a portion  of  the  inhabitants.  Said  committee  lo- 
cated it  “ where  the  Meeting  House  now  is.” — Ed.] 


734 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


[7-189]  \_Petition  to  have  Amherst  7?iade  the  Shire  Town  of 

the  County^ 


To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq,  Cap‘  Gen^  Governor  & 
Commander  &c  of  the  Province  of  new  Hampshire,  To  the 
Honorable  his  Majestys  Council  and  Asembly  of  said  Prov- 
ince 


We  Inhabitants  of  New  Ipswich  in  said  Province  Beg  Leave 
to  Return  your  Excellency  and  Honors  our  most  hearty  Thanks 
for  the  prudence  & Wisdom  you  have  Exhibited  in  forming  the 
lines  of  middle  County  so  agreeable  to  Nature,  We  think  it  is 
Done  to  the  best  advantage  ; and  Humbly  Thank  your  Excel- 
lency & Honors  for  appointing  Amherst  Shire  Town  as  we 
think  the  County  may  be  well  accommodated  there — 

And  pray  that  there  may  not  be  one  Town  more  Annexed  to 
this  County,  for  if  it  should  we  think  it  w^ould  give  Birth  to 
Confusion — We  as  in  Duty  bound  will  ever  prav — 

Dated  April  i7^9 — 


Aaron  Kidder 
John  Preston 
Jonathan  Dix 
Ezra  Town 
John  Cutter 
Ephraim  Adams 
Joseph  Bates 
Peltiah  whittemore 
Joseph  Kidder 
Levi  Adams 


Kendall  Briant 
Stephen  Adams 
John  walker 
Isaac  How 
Francis  Fletcher 
William  Speer 
moses  Tucker 
Benj'^  Hoar 
Jonas  Woolson 
Thomas  Wright 


Benjamin  Wheat 
John  Dutton 
JoiP  Davis 
Charles  Barrett 
Simeon  Bullard 
Benjamin  Adams 
Edmond  Towne 
Joshua  Thomson 
Georg  Sterrt 
Barnes  Dana 


[7-190]  [ Vote  of  Town  relative  to  Lots^  7772.] 

At  a meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Township  of  New 
Ipswich  in  y®  County  of  Hillsborough  in  y®  Provence  of  New 
Hampshire — Held  at  the  House  of  Josiah  Rogerses  Inholder  in 
Said  New  Ipswich  on  the  thirtyeth  Day  of  December  A D : 
1772 

It  was  Voted  to  Raise  fifty  three  Pound  Lawfull  money  to  pay 
those  Persons  who  have  Suffered  by  haveing  there  Lotts  Cutt 
by  Sliptown  & Rindge  Linds  as  Voted  to  Each  Sufferer  by  the 
Proprietors  also  Voted  to  Chuse  a Committee  to  Prefer  a Peti- 
tion to  the  General  Court  for  to  Enable  the  Proprietors  to  Col- 
ect  the  money  they  have  Voted  to  Raise  to  pay  those  Persons 
who  have  Suffered  by  haveing  there  Lotts  Cutt  by  Slip  town 
and  Rindge  Lines  and  the  Charge  that  Shall  arise  by  Effecting 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


735 


that  matter  to  final  Determination  as  His  Excellency  and  Hon- 
ours Shall  Diecrict 

Chosen  for  Said  Committee  Reuben  Kidder  Esq*"  Cap‘  Benja- 
min Hoar  & Isaac  Appleton — 

atte®  p*"  Isaac  Appleton  Proprietors  Clerk 


[7-19O 


\_Petition  relative  to  samer\ 


To  His  Excellency  John  Wentworth  Esq*"  Captain  General  and 
Governor  in  Chief  in  and  over  His  Majestys  Provence  of  New 
Hampshir,  and  to  the  Honourable  His  Alajestys  Council,  and 
House  of  Representatives  in  General  Court  assembled  at 
Portsmouth — 


The  Petition  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Township  of  New 
Ipswich  in  the  County  of  Plillsborough  in  S^^  Provence  Humbly 
Shew'eth — 

That  your  Petitioners  at  there  first  Settlement  Lotted  out  and 
Devided  the  whole  of  the  Land  in  Said  Township  and  Some 
time  after  it  w'as  Discovered  that  a Number  of  S^  Lotts  ware 
run  over  the  Line  of  Said  Township  in  to  the  Towmship  of 
Temple  and  of  Rindge  the  w hole  of  the  Land  being  Devided  in 
the  Said  Township  of  NewHpswdch  it  is  not  in  the  Powxr  of  S*^ 
Proprietors  to  make  up  those  Rights  in  Land  therefore  Said 
Proprietors  at  there  meeting  Leagally  Held  for  that  Purpose 
Voted  to  make  up  those  Rights  that  had  been  Partly  taken  into 
Temple  and  Rindge  as  afibresaid  equal  to  other  Rights  by  Give- 
ing  them  that  is  each  Sufi'erer  the  Value  of  the  Land  so  Cutt  ofi' 
in  money  and  accordingly  Voted  fifty  three  Pound  Lawfull 
money  which  Sum  is  as  S^^  Proprietors  Judge  the  Value  of  the 
Land  which  is  so  Lost  as  afore  Said  but  as  S*^  Proprietors  ap- 
prehend that  they  are  not  able  by  Law'  to  Colect  the  money 
Voted  for  the  Use  above  Said  therefore  you  Petitioners  Humbly 
pray  your  Excellency  and  Honours  to  take  there  Case  under 
your  wdse  Considaration  and  Lay  the  above  Said  Tax  on  the 
Lands  in  Said  Tow'iiship  of  New  Ipswich  for  the  Use  above 
Said  with  the  Cost  your  Excellency  and  Honours  Shall  Judge 
will  nessarily  arise  or  other  wise  Grant  Relief  as  your  Excel- 
lency and  Honours  in  your  Wisdom  Shall  See  meet  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 


Reuben  Kidder 
Benj“  Hoar 
Isaac  Appleton 


Commitee  for  S*^ 
Proprietors 


N B the  Proprietors  when  they  Raised  money  have  made  it 
there  practice  that  the  third  and  fouth  Devetion  have  paid  ondly 


736 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Equel  to  one  & 2^  Devision  that  is  2 66  acre  Lott  have  paid 
but  one  third  part  of  the  Taxes  of  a Right 


[7-197]  \_Petition  for  Pay  for  Se^'vice  in  the  Wari\ 

To  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire 

Humbly  shew  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New-Ipswich 
in  said  State,  that  they  been  since  the  commencement  of  the  late 
American  War  at  very  great  expence,  and  have  been  singular 
sufferers  thereby,  without  receiving  any  compensation  or  con- 
sideration whatever,  either  from  this  State  or  this  Continent 
therefor — 

The  said  Inhabitants  therefore  humbly  offer  the  Account  in 
the  Schedule  herewith  exhibited,  for  the  mature  deliberation 
and  allowance  of  this  Honorable  Court,  as  containing  not  a sin- 
gle Article  for  which  they  have  received  the  least  value — They 
are  ready,  if  this  Honorable  Court  should  judge  necessary,  to 
produce  Vouchers  for  a further  support  of  the  Charges  in  said 
Account,  if  the  Subscriptions  and  Oaths  thereto,  or  the  present 
attestations  are  not  sufficient. — And  therefore  the  said  Inhabi- 
tants humbly  pray  that  this  Court  would  allow  the  said  Account 
as  it  now  stands,  or  that  a day  may  be  given  as  this  Hon’ble 
Court  shall  appoint ; and  that  the  proof  of  the  Articles  and 
Charges  in  said  Account  may  be  admitted  and  if  proved  beyond 
a possibility  of  a doubt  to  this  Hon’ble  Court,  that  they  would 
grant  the  same,  is  all  the  said  Inhabitants  wish  for  or  desire — 
And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray — 

Noah  Cooke — 

in  behalf  & by  order  of  the  Committee  of  said  Town  chosen  for 

the  above  purpose 

[R-  3-37] 

Persons  that  went  to  Cambridge  in  April  A.  D.  i775’ 
alarm  of  the  battle  at  Concord,  their  time  and  expenses : 


Thomas  Heald,  Capt. 

Days 

13- 

^ Jesse  Carleton 

Days 

13- 

* Ezra  Town,  Lieut. 

00. 

Jno.  Brown  Jr 

7- 

Joseph  Parker,  “ 

13- 

Joseph  Wright 

7- 

Hezekiah  Corey  Ensign 

6. 

* Samuel  Soper 

13- 

William  Start  Clerk 

13- 

Stephen  Davis 

5- 

Isaac  How,  Seg’t. 

13- 

Robert  Cambell 

3- 

Sami.  Whittemore 

3* 

Thos  Brown 

13- 

Simeon  Hildrith 

7- 

Jonas  Wheeler 

7- 

EbeiP  Brown 

3. 

*Josiah  Brown  Sgt. 

13- 

NEW  IPSWICH. 


737 


Jonas  Willson  Ji  7. 

Simeon  Gould  4. 

Jona.  Davis  4. 

Joseph  Pollard  13. 

Francis  Fletcher  lo. 

NatD  Pratt  9. 

Edm'^  Bryant  5. 

William  Hodgkins  5. 

James  Chandler  5. 

Jon.  Brookqs  Serj*  13. 

Jno.  Cutter  1 1 . 

NatD  Swain  9. 

Tim®  Wheelock  4. 

Joel  Wheelock  8. 

Nath^  Reed  5. 

Benja  Hoar  7. 

Aaron  Chamberlain  9. 

Rev.  Stephen  Farrar  30. 

Elijah  Flagg  6. 

Tim®  Farrar  5. 

Jno.  Wilkins  5. 

D an^  Mansfield  5* 

Peter  Fletcher  5. 

Jno.  Sartell  8. 

Abel  Miles  13. 

W™  Speer  6. 

* Elijah  Davis  13. 

David  Sanders  8. 

Joseph  Warren  5. 

Moses  Tucker  2. 

Thomas  Fletcher  5. 

Dan'  Clary  6. 

Isaac  Farwell  5. 

Tim®  Farwell  5. 

Nath'  Melvin  8. 

Jno.  W alker  5. 

W®^  Kendall  8. 

Dank  Stratton  5. 

James  Tidder  13. 

* Nath' Carleton  13. 


Attest 


* Benj.  Williams  i 

*Josiah  Walton  i 

Leonard  Parker 
Joseph  Tinney 

yym 

Ephraim  Foster 


Daniel  Foster  i 

Samuel  Foster 
*Timo.  Stearns  i 

Benja  Gibbs 

* Supply  Wilson  i 

vSaml.  Kinney  i 

Jno.  Melvin 

* David  Melvin  i 

Josiah  Davis 

Allen  Breed  i 

Jona.  Wheet 

Whitcomb  Powers  i 


Joseph  Bates 

Chas.  Barrett 

Isaac  Appleton 

Reuben  Kidder 

Jere''  Underwood 

Benj.  Pollard  i 

Abr®^  Abbott  i 

Josiah  Rodgers 

Sami  Haywood 

Thos  Farnsworth 

Stephen  Parker 

Nath'  Stone 

Timo.  Fox 

Nath'  Farr  i 

Sami  Bartlett 

James  Barr 

Amos  Boynton 

Elea*"  Cummings 

Isaac  Clark 

W"^  Shattuck 

Eph™  Adams  Jr 

Robert  Hark  ness 

Tho*  Heald 


State  of  New  Hampshire.  Hillsborough  ss.  OcP  17"^  ^7^5. 

Personally  appeared  Thomas  Heald.  Edmund  Briant  and  Jo- 
seph Parker  and  made  solemn  oath  that  this  Account  by  them 

49 


Ooca  CrvOooo*<rCaCa  oooo  OOOo  ca  ^ OJ 


738 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


severally  subscribed  is  Just  and  true  according  to  the  best  of 
their  knowledge 

Coram  Tim°  Farrar  Just®  Pads 

[The  whole  account  amounted  to  £124,  16.  Those  mark- 
ed with  a * enlisted  in  Capt.  Archelaus  Town’s  company, 
and  were  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. — Ed.] 


Persons  that  went  on  an  alarm  to  Royalston  State  of  Vermont, 
their  time  and  expenses  with  horses, 


Edmd  Bryant  Capt 
Isaac  Clark  Lieut 
Benj  Williams  Lieut 
Jer^  Prichard 
Thos  Brown 
Josiah  Walton 
John  Brown  Jur. 
Silas  Davis 
John  Gould 


Joseph  Stickney  J 
Benj®^  Adams  Jr 
JiP  Adams 
Amos  Baker 
Sam^  Speer 
W*"  Speer  Jr — 
Jn®  Cutter 
W"  Prichard 
Jon^  Fletcher 


r.  Eph™  Adams  Jr 
Elijah  Davis 
Josiah  Brown 
Tho*  Kidder 
Tho®  Fletcher  Jr 
W"^  Clary 
Edm^  Town 


Attest  Edmund  Briant 


[They  went  on  horses,  were  out  four  days,  and  travelled 
forty-five  miles.  The  account  amounted  to  £34,  10. — Ed.] 


Cap  Parkers  Comp^"  that  went  on  towards  Royalston  on  said 

alarm 


Tho®  Hale  Lieut  Col.  Tim®  Fox 
Joseph  Parker  Cap‘  W“  Shattuck 
Moses  Tucker  Lied  JoiP  Twist 


James  Chandler 
Ens" 

Jn°  Brooks  Serg* 
Leonard  Parker 
Allen  Breed  Serg* 
W™  Paris 
EbeiF  Knight 
Enos  Knight  Jr. 
Sam^  Cumings 
Eben’’  Fletcher 
Tho®  Spaulding 


W*”  Hodgkins 
Levi  Farr 
Natd  Farr 
Isaac  Bartlet 
Jotham  Hoar 
Eph'"  Hildreth 
Joseph  Warren 
Jesse  Walker 
Amos  Boynton 
Joel  Baker 
Stephen  Pierce 


Sam^  Fletcher 
Stephen  Adams  Jr. 
Jn®  Prat 
Edw^  Prat 
Nath^  Prat 
Isaac  Farwell 
Edm*^  Farwell 
Jn®  Gowing 
Robert  Cambell 
Thad  Taylor 
Reuben  Taylor 
Hezek*^  Hodg 
Jn®  Wheeler  Jr 


[The  foregoing  were  out  with  horses  four  days,  travelled 
thirty-five  miles,  and  the  account  amounted  to  £go,  2. — 
Ed.] 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


739 


Flower  Grain  & Meet  that  was  sent  by  the  Town  of  New  Ips- 
wich to  Cambridge  on  the  alarm  at  Concord  which  was 
turned  into  the  Publick  or  Continental  store  there 


2000  weight  Rie  Flower 
3 Barrels  of  Bread  being  300  W* 
600  Weight  of  Pork 
four  Bushels  of  Beans 
300  weight  of  Chese  a 6*^ 


£12 — o — o 
I — 16 — o 
20 — o — o 
I — 4 — o 
7 — 10 — 


42 — 10 — o 

to  six  Oxen  and  two  Men  to  Cambridge  with  a cart 
& Expences  6 — 

Horses  lost  in  the  American  War 
Cap^  Charles  Barretts  horse  lost  when  Tie  w’as  evac- 
uated £12 — 

Jonas  Wilsons  horse  at  the  alarm  wdien  Borgoin 

was  taken  12 — 

Cap*  Francis  Fletchers  horse  lost  at  the  same  time  12 — 

Francis  Appletons  horse  lost  at  the  same  time  15 — 

W*"  Clarys  horse  lost  for  a year  and  expences  & 
time  in  obtaining  his  horse 
John  Thomas®  Horse  taken  & impressed  into  the 
Continental  Service 
A true  account  attest 

Isaac  Appleton 
Tho*  Heald 

Parker 
B row'll 

[The  aggregate  amount  was  ^328,  8,  o.  The  account 
was  sworn  to  before  Timothy  Farrar. — Ed.] 


Josepl 

Josiah 


1 

Committee 

J 


[R.  3-38]  \^Petition  of  smzdry  Persons  for  pay  for  Horses 

lost  in  the  Service^  ^777*] 

To  the  honorable  Council  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire, 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
New-Ipswich — humbly  sheweth 

That  on  the  2*^  Day  of  October  last  past  we  began  our  March 
to  reinforce  the  Northern  Army,  (agreable  to  the  Order  of  the 
General  Court)  in  a Company  under  the  Command  of  Cap* 
Briant : that  each  of  us  took  an  Horse  to  carry  Packs  for  our- 
selves, and  others  in  the  Company  ; that  we  joined  the  Army 


740 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


and  continued  in  the  service  till  regularly  dismissed  ; that,  dur- 
ing our  said  service,  each  of  us  lost  an  Horse,  which  we  have 
not  since  heard  of,  notwithstanding  the  Pains  we  have  taken. 
Wherefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  your  Honors  to  take 
the  above  into  consideration  and  make  such  compensation  for 
the  loss  we  have  sustained  as  you  in  your  Wisdom  shall  think 
fit — and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray 

New-Ipswich  Dec*"  25*^  i777* 

Francis  Fletcher  William  Clary 

Jonas  Woolson  Jun*'  Ephraim  Adams 

Exeter  FeV  y®  19*’^  ^77^ 

the  Horse  of  Francis  Fletcher  I think  was  worth  £30  Will- 
iam jVPClary  28  Jonas  Woolson  35  Ephraim  Adams  30  the 
Horses  was  ordered  forward  by  me  with  the  advise  of  other 
officers 

Tho®  Heald  Lent  Col 


[7-192]  S^Petition  to  pay  for  a Horse  lost  in  the  Service^ 

1777-1 


To  the  Hon'’^®  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New- 

Hampshire, 


The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Select-Men  of  the  Town  of 
New-Ipswich  in  said  State 


humbly  sheweth 


That  on  or  about  the  first  Day  of  Ocf  i777  pressed  on  an 
Horse,  the  Property  of  Cap*  Charles  Barrett  of  said  New-Ips- 
wich (agreable  to  the  Laws  of  said  State)  to  carry  Packs  for 
the  Men  who  turned  out  Volunteers,  in  Order  to  reinforce  the 
Northern  Army  under  the  Command  of  Gen*  Gates  ; that  the 
said  Horse  was  lost  in  the  Expedition,  and  has  not  since  been 
heard  of,  notwithstanding  the  pains  taken  : which  Loss  we  esti- 
mate at  sixty  Pounds  lawful  Money. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  your  Honors  to  take 
the  above  into  Consideration  and  order  such  Compensation  for 
the  said  Loss  as  you  in  your  Wisdom  shall  think  fit  and  your 
Petitioners,  as  in  Duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray  &c 

New-Ipswich  23^  Ocfi  177s* 

W™  Shattuck  \ 

Isaac  Appleton  > Select  men 
James  Chandler  j 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


741 


Hillsboro’  ss  Dec’'  14^’’  1778 

The  above  named  W'"  Shattuck,  I : Appleton  and  J.  Chand- 
ler made  solemn  Oath,  tliat  in  Appraising  the  Horse  above 
mentioned,  they  have  acted  impartially  & according  to  their 
best  Skill  and  Judgment.  Coram 

Tim®  Farrar  Just : Pacis 


[7~^93]  \^Afpraisal  of  Estate  of  Absentees^  /y/c?.] 

An  Inventory  of  the  Estate  of  John  Tomlinson  and  John 
Tufton  Mason  Esq’®  (supposed  to  be  Inhabitants  of  Great  Brit- 
ain) lying  in  N-Ipswich  in  the  State  of  N-Hampshire,  taken 
into  Custody  and  appraised  by  the  Subscribers,  Select-Men  of 
s*^  New-Ipswich  by  Authority  of  an  Act  intitled  An  Act  to  pre- 
vent the  Conveyance  of  Estate  &c  passed  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  1777.  which  Estate  is  owned  in  Partnership,  viz 

Lot  60 — Acres  80 — Appraised  at  £420  Taxes  due  £i — 2, 
“ 164  “ 66 — “ “ 160  “ “ o — 13, 

“ 163  “ 66 — “ “ 150  “ “ o — II, 

Total  “ 212 — “ “ 730  “ “ 2 — 6, 

The  subscribers  charge  for  their  Trouble  in  appraising  and 
renting  out  the  said  Land  £4-12-0 

Isaac  Appleton  ) 

W'”  Shattuck  V Select  men 
James  Chandler  ) 

Sworn  to  before  Timothy  Farrar,  Oct,  24,  1778, 


[7-194]  \_Relative  to  Oath  of  Allegia?tce^  iy8j 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  Gentlemen  of  the  house  of 
Representatives  for  the  State  of  New-Hampshire, 

the  Petition  of  the  Town  of  New-Ipswich  Humbly  Sheweth  ; 
that  whereas  the  act  of  the  Legeslature  of  Said  State  passed 
June  2i®‘  1782  which  Requires  all  Voters  in  Town  meetings  to 
take  an  Oath  of  Elegiance  to  the  State,  dos  not  answer  the  Pur- 
poses thereby  Intended  (but  Qiiite  the  Reverse)  for  it  dos  not 
Seperate  the  Enemies  of  the  State,  from  its  friends  but  has 
Greatly  Devided  and  Confusd  the  People  ; Notwithstanding  the 
arguments  that  has  been  use'^  with  the  People  in  this  Town  to 
Induce  them  to  Take  Said  Oath  but  Sixty-two  out  of  one  hun- 
dred and  Seventy-five  has  taken  it;  they  Seem  Temorous  of 
Multiplying  Oaths  ; the  hundred  and  thirteen  that  has  not  taken. 


742 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


it,  have  Since  the  Contest  as  Cherfully  paid  Taxes  and  been  as 
Ready  to  turn  out  on  alarms  as  the  Sixty-two  that  has  taken  S'^ 
oath  ; and  are  greatly  Dissatisfied  that  they  must  be  Depriv'd  of 
Prevaliges,  unless  they  take  an  oatli  to  be  True  when  they  have 
always  been  so,  and  Say  that  if  they  are  Subject  to  Taxation 
they  have  a Right  to  Representation  ; if  Said  act  Should  be 
held  in  force,  we  much  fear  the  Consequences  ; for  we  Learn 
Said  act  has  the  Same  Effect  in  many  other  Towns  in  the  State  ; 
and  further  if  People  Cannot  Recover  their  Dues  they  Cannot 
pay  Taxes  ; the  Effects  of  Said  act  are  obvious  and  plain  ; the 
Continuance  of  Said  act  we  apprehend  will  be  very  Detre- 
mental  to  the  Unity  and  Safty  of  the  State. — 

therefore  we  your  Petitioners  Humbly  pray  for  Redress  by  a 
Repeal  of  Said  act ; and  that  your  Honorable  Body  may  Culti- 
vate that  Union  among  the  People  that  is  Sure  to  advance  a 
State  ; if  your  Honourable  Body  Shall  grant  a favourable  an- 
swer to  this  our  Petition,  we  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever 
pray.— 

New  Ipswich  Feb.  io‘^  i7^3 

Isaac  Appleton  ) Com‘®®  for 
Isaac  How  } N.  Ipswich 

[Read,  and  ordered  to  lay. — Ed.] 


[7-195]  \_Relative  to  Militia  Regiment^  77(5*y.] 

To  the  Hon^^®  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire. 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Selectmen  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Towns  of  New-Ipswich,  Peterborough,  Temple 
L}mdsborough,  Wilton,  Mason,  Peterborough-Slip,  Hancock, 
and  Society-land,  in  behalf  of  our-selves  and  the  Towns  we  be- 
long to 

Humbly  sheweth — 

That  by  a vote  of  the  General  Court  passed  at  their  last  Ses- 
sion, the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  above  mentioned  were  con- 
stituted the  23^  Regiment  of  Militia  : and  that  the  Towns  of 
Rindge,  Jaffrey,  Dublin,  Packersfield,  Marleborough  & Fitz- 
william  were  constituted  the  12^'^  Regiment,  retaining  the  Num- 
ber which  they  had  when  connected  with  the  greater  part  of 
the  Towns  first  mentioned  : which  we  conceive  to  be  injurious, 
inverting  the  order  which  ought  to  hav'e  taken  place  in  their 
Numbers.  And  presuming  that  the  General  Court  were  not 
rightly  informed  as  to  the  circumstances  of  those  two  Regi- 
ments, beg  leave  to  lay  before  your  Honors  some  facts,  in  order 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


743 


to  procure  an  alteration  in  their  Numbers,  which  we  think 
ought  to  take  place  for  the  following  reasons  : — The  nine  peti- 
tioning Towns  are  the  oldest  by  about  twenty  years  taking  their 
age  upon  an  average  ; Cap‘  Woolson  of  N-Ipswich  having  a 
Commission  in  the  6‘^  Reg*^  Dated  in  the  year  1744;  before 
there  was  a single  Inhabitant  in  any  of  the  six  Towns  above 
named,  and  many  years  before  a Commission  was  given  to  any 
person  within  their  limits. — By  means  of  being  united  wdth 
those  Towns  we  lost  our  Number  from  6,  to  12;  therefore 
ought  not  to  lose  from  12,  to  23,  by  dissolving  the  Connection. 
— By  comparing  their  Numbers  and  wealth  it  will  appear  that 
we  pay  T49-15  to  the  Thousand;  they  but  £32-13: — That 
there  are  eleven  hundred  rateable  polls  in  this  Reg* ; and  little 
more  than  six  hundred  in  that : — That  there  are  four  field  offi- 
cers in  this  Reg*  who  will  think  it  degrading  to  renew  their 
Commissions  in  the  23^*  Reg*:  and  but  one  in  that:  (and  that  a 
second  Maj’’) 

Thus,  Gentlemen,  whatever  we  substitute  as  a Criterion  to 
determine  the  right  of  precedence ; wdiether  Age,  numbers, 
wealth,  the  residence  of  Field  officers  or  wdiatever  else  we  can 
conceive  to  operate  in  the  minds  of  the  Legislature,  the  prefer- 
ence is,  most  clearly,  on  our  side.  And  as  we  would  not  be 
vainly  ambitious  for  honour,  to  which  we  had  no  title  ; so 
neither  w'ould  w^e  be  thought  so  mean,  as  tamely  to  submit 
to  a sentence  by  wdfich  w^e  are  degraded  below  our  Inferiors. 
We  therefore  apply  to  your  Honours  as  the  Guardians  of  our 
rights,  humbly  praying  for  a reconsideration  of  the  vote  com- 
plained of ; and  that  we  may  be  permitted  to  retain  the  original 
Number.  And  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray  &c 

Jan’'^  27**^  1785 


Tim°  Farrar 
Josiah  Walton 
Josiah  Rogers 
Ebenezer  Jones 
Daniel  Foster 
Beni‘S  Adams 
Eph*“  Hartwell 
Benjamin  Knolton 
Seth  Wheeler 
Jesse  Carlton 
Luther  Kidder 
Nathan  Robens 


Paul  Prichard 
Eph*"  Adams 


Tho®  Noals  Reed 
Amos  Baker 
Nath*  Hodg  kins 
Nath*  Farrer 
John  Wheeler 
Rich**  Wheeler 
James  Tidder 
Peter  Fletcher 
John  walker 
Simeon  Wright 
John  Pratt 
Enos  goodale 


Selectmen 
of 

N-Ipswich 

Timothy  Fox  Ju’’ 
Jonathan  Fox 
Lazarus  Cary 
Elijah  Newell 
Eleazer  Comings 
George  Start 
Isaac  Bartlett 
Benj"  Hoar 
Joseph  Batcheller 
Ithamar  wheelock 
William  Prichard 
Nehemiah  Stratton 


744 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


John  Cutter 
William  Speer 
William  Speer  Junr 
Jesse  walker 
Isaac  How  jr 
John  Champney 
Samuel  Bartlett 
Timothy  Fox 
Peter  Shattuck 
Silas  Adams 
John  Shattuck 
Stephen  Adams 
Tho®  Spaulding 
Thomas  Spaulding 

John  Binney 
Joel  Baker 
Onesimus  newell 
Caleb  Campbell 
Samuell  Fletcher 
Robert  Campbell 
EbeiF  Fletcher 
James  Chandler 
Joseph  Warren 
moses  Carleton 
Zebulon  Conant 
Simeon  Blanchard 
John  Wheeler  jun 
Samuel  wheeler 
William  Wheeler 
Samuel  Fletcher 
Nathaniel  melven 
Benj“  Gibbs 


John  Pratt  Ju’’ 
William  Fariss 
Stephen  Hildreth 
Joseph  Baker 
Reuben  Taylor 
Tho®  Fletcher 
Peter  Jones 
James  French 
Joseph  Briant 
Joseh  Fletcher 
Thomas  Fletcher 
J Liner 

William  Wheeler 
William  Clary 
Francis  Fletcher 
Eben*"  Bullard 
Josiah  Walton  ju’’ 
James  Walton 
Tho®  Brown 
Jonas  Woolson  Jun’" 
Jonas  Whiting 
Sam''  Hey  wood 
Sam"  Whiti  Ijcr 

o 

Fran®  Appleton 
Nathan  Parker 
James  Barr 
Timothy  Wheelock 

J’- 

SinP°  Goold  Junr 
Ebenezer  Adams 
John  Champney  Jur 
Daniel  Bartlett 
Noah  Bartlett 


John  Prichard 
Daniel  Mansfield 
Ezra  Towne 
Shurmon  Shattuck 
Samuel  Chandler 
Aaron  Kidder 
Joel  Hildreth 
Nathan  Walker 
Joseph  Parker  Ju’’ 
Ruben  Taylor  Jr 
Zebedee  Taylor 
William  Wheeler  Jr 
Daniel  Clary 
David  Clary 
Ephraim  Fletcher 
James  Tidder 
Jonathan  Fletcher 
William  Delap 
Enos  Knigrht 
David  Knight 
Ebenezer  Kni  ght 
Moses  Tucker 
Benj“  Knight 
Samuel  Parker 
Jotham  Hoar 
Josiah  Robbins 
Daniel  Parker 
Samuel  Blood 
John  Preston 
Eben*"  Parker 
Benjamin  Procter 
Benj^  Hoar  jun 
Nathanel  Prentis 


[R.  3-40]  \^CertiJicate  of  Service  of  Sajnuel  Walker^ 

This  may  certify  that  I the  vSubscriber  one  of  the  Selectmen 
in  New  Ipswich  in  the  year  1780  did  with  the  other  Selectmen 
by  order  of  Court  hire  Six  men  to  serve  Six  months  in  the  Con- 
tinental army  of  which  Number  Samuel  Walker  of  New  Ips- 
wich w’as  one  who  marcht  off  and  returned  wdth  the  others,  and 
I never  heard  but  that  he  faithfully  Did  the  Service  and  w^as 
properly  Discharged. 

New  Ipswich  August  27"^  17S2 


Isaac  How 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


745 


[John  Goold  certified  that  he  served  with  said  Walker 
for  the  term  of  six  months,  and  that  they  came  home  to- 
gether.— Ed.] 


[R-3  -42]  \^Soldier’s  Bounty. 

The  Bounty  paid  to  Hezekiah  Sartwell  by  the  Town  of  New 
Ipswich  amounts  to  Eighteen  pounds. 

Josiah  Gilman  Jun’’ 

Exeter  Sepf  1786. 


[R.  3-43]  S^Petition  foi'  yohn  Phoiiias.,  iY8y.'\ 

[Ephraim  Adams,  of  New  Ipswich,  states  that  John 
Thomas  was  in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition  in  1778,  and 
had  a horse  impressed  into  the  continental  service  ; and 
that  said  horse  was  never  returned  to  him.  He  asked  to 
be  paid  for  the  same.  Timothy  Fox  stated  that  said  horse 
was  worth  ;^io.  Joseph  Parker  and  Peter  Fletcher  testi- 
fied that  they  were  in  the  same  regiment  (Col.  Enoch 
Hale’s),  and  knowing  to  the  fact  as  stated  by  Adams.  He 
was  allowed  ;^io. — Ed.] 


[R.  3-48]  \_Petition  of  Capt.  Ezra  To'vune.'\ 

To  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 

The  Petition  of  Ezra  Town  of  New  Ipswich  in  said  State 
humbly  shews  that  he  in  January  AD  1776  commanded  a com- 
pany in  the  Service  of  the  United  States,  and  that  his  Men  went 
into  Canada  then  to  Albany  in  the  same  year  and  on  the  first  of 
December  in  the  same  year  his  company  marched  to  Pennsyl- 
vania and  continued  there  untill  the  first  day  of  Jan^  following 
and  soon  after  his  company  was  dismissed  without  rations  or 
any  subsistance  money  to  carry  them  home.  * * * 

New  Ipswich  30^*'  1786 

Ezra  Towne 

[The  petition  was  dismissed,  and  he  presented  another 
dated  P'ebruary  4,  1788,  in  which  he  stated  that  his  com- 
pany was  in  Gen.  James  Reed’s  regiment,  and  that  the  men 
were  discharged  February  13,  1777,  at  Morristown,  New 
Jersey. — Ed] 


74^  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[7-198]  [^Petition  for  a7t  allowa^zce  for  Bounties  paid  Three 

Tears  Men^  77^5.] 

Whereas  it  was  Enacted  by  the  Authority  of  the  State  of 
New-Hampshire  upon  January — 17S1 — 

That  for  every  recruit  raised  and  Mustered  to  do  three  years 
Service  in  the  Continental  Army — the  Towns  who  raised  said 
recruits  should  be  entitled  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  of 
said  State  Twenty  pounds  equal  in  Vallue  to  Indian  Corn  at 
four  Shillings  a Bushel  for  each  recruit  so  raised — 

it  appears  to  us  that  agreable  to  the  foregoing  Act  the  Town 
of  New-Ipswich  raised  the  following  persons  for  said  Service 
(viz)  John  Bullard — Peter  Bullard — •John  Adams — Neh^  Strat- 
ten — Joseph  Procter  — Stephen  Adams  — Phinehas  Adams — 
Sam*  Walker  — Jesse  Walker — John  Thomas — Joel  Baker — 
Amos  Baker — Sam*  Potter — W‘"  Hewett  & W"'  Scott — 

We  therefore  desire  your  Honour  the  Treasurer  for  said 
State  to  pay  the  Sums  allow’d  to  the  Town  for  raising  the  fore- 
going recruits  to  Deacon  Ephraim  Adams  and  his  receipt  Shall 
Discharge  you  for  said  Sum — 

New-Ipswich  May  23^  1785 

Hon.  J Taylor  Gilman  Esq^ 

James  Hosley  Select  men 
Paul  Prichard  > for  s*^ 

Eph™  Adams  Jr  j New-Ipswich 


[7-199]  \_Petition  for  an  Bicorporation  of  a School^ 

To  the  hon*’*®  the  General  Court  of  the  State  of  New-hampshire 

to  be  holden  at  Concord  in  said  state  on  Wednesday  3**  June 
1789— 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers  humbly  sheweth,  that  on  the 
15**^  day  of  OcP  1787  your  petitioners  instituted  a School  in  the 
Town  of  Newipswich  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  present  have  supported  the  same,  with 
the  assistance  of  the  students,  for  the  benefit  of  the  public  ; 
that  hitherto  it  has  appeared  to  answer  the  design  of  its  institu- 
tion, and  still  is  in  a flourishing  condition,  being  at  such  a dis- 
tance from  other  public  schools  and  Academies,  as  not  in  any 
considerable  degree  to  interfere  with  the  same ; which  has 
encouraged  your  petitioners  to  attempt  a permanent  establish- 
ment, For  which  purpose  we  have  procured  by  subscription  a 
fund  of  five  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  lawfull  money  to  be 
paid  in  cash  or  good  securities  on  interest,  and  tliree  thousand 
acres  of  land  in  the  township  of  Cambden  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts  bay,  valued  at  about  three  hundred 


NEW  IPSWICH. 


747 


pounds,  likewise  two  hundred  acres  in  Washington  in  this 
state,  together  with  some  other  lands  of  less  value  ; exclusive 
of  another  subscription  for  erecting  a building,  which  is  already 
sufficient  for  that  purpose.  We  have  further  made  choice  of 
the  persons  in  whose  hands  we  wish  to  deposit  said  fund.  Viz  ; 
Rev*^  Stephen  Farrar,  Charles  Barrett  Esq*"  Cap*  Ephraim  Hart- 
well Mr.  John  Hubbard  of  Newipswich  aforesaid,  Daniel  Em- 
erson Esq*'  of  Hollis,  Rev**  Seth  Payson  of  Rindge,  and  Jacob 
Abbot  Esq’’  of  Wilton  all  of  this  state,  Rev^  Joseph  Brown  of 
Winchendon,  Henery  Wood  Esq*"  of  Pepperrill,  in  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  bay  ; and  that  vacancies  by  death  or  resignation 
may  be  filled  by  the  remaining  or  surviving  members. 

Wherefore  your  petitioners  humbly  prav  your  Honors  to  pass 
an  act,  incorporating  said  School  into  an  Academy  by  the  name 
of  the  Newipswich  Academy  ; and  that  the  Gentlemen  above 
named  may  be  appointed  Trustees,  with  all  the  powers,  privi- 
leges and  immunities  usually  granted  to  institutions  of  that 
kind,  under  such  limitations  and  restrictions  as  your  Honors 
may  think  reasonable,  and  your  petitioners  as  in  duty  bound 
shall  ever  pray. 

Ezra  Towne 
Georg  Start 
Ebenezer  Brown 
Daniel  mansfield 


Stephen  Farrar 
Eph™  Hartwell 
Timothy  Farrar 
Josiah  Batcheller 


Jeremiah  Prichard  JorP  Locke 
Tho®  Fletcher  Eben’’  Champney 


Enos  Knight 
Eleazer  Cumings 
Timothy  Fox  Ju 
Benj^  Adams 
Ephraim  Adams 


Thomas  Heald 
Benjamin  Gibbs 
Samuel  Whittemore 
Silas  Bigelow 
William  Prichard 


Isaac  Appleton 
John  Warner 
John  Preston 
Seth  Wheeler 
Reuben  Kidder 
Supply  Wilson 
Noah  'Miles 
Francis  Blood 
Charles  Barrett 


[An  act  incorporating  New  Ipswich  Academy  was  passed 
June  17,  1789,  with  trustees  as  above-mentioned. 

This  was  the  second  academy  incorporated  in  this  state, 
and  its  usefulness  to  citizens  of  the  town  and  vicinity  can- 
not be  measured  by  dollars  and  cents. — Ed.] 


[7-200]  S^Petition  for  authority  to  raise  Money  by  Lottery 
for  the  use  of  the  Academy ^ lygi 

State  of  Newhampshire 

To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  House  Representatives  in 
General  Court  Convened  at  Concord  on  the  first  Wednesday 
of  June  AD  1791 — 

The  petition  of  the  trustees  of  New  Ipswich  Academy  hum- 


748 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


bly  shews,  that  said  Academy  by  the  efforts  and  exertions  of 
the  benevolent  founders  is  now  and  has  been  for  a number  of 
years  past  in  a Situation  for  the  admission  of  Students  and 
promises  under  the  patronage  and  direction  of  your  honours 
whome  your  petitioners  esteem  their  political  fathers  to  become 
a most  useful  Seat  of  litrature 

Your  petitioners  are  assured  that  the  legislators  of  the  State 
of  Newhampshire  in  imitation  of  all  wise  lawgivers  will  ever 
be  anxious  to  promote  erudition  and  Science  since  by  this — 
morality  Religion  and  the  love  of  our  Country  is  Inculcated 
and  established  as  the  only  basis  on  which  a republick  Can 
florish 

Your  petitioners  would  further  represent  that  said  Academy 
is  in  such  a florishing  Situation  that  one  j3receptor  is  insufficent 
for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  Students  there  of,  so  that  an 
assistant  is  become  Necessary  in  Consequence  of  which  the 
funds  already  established  are  no  ways  Sufficient  for  the  purpose 
of  defraying  the  charges  of  the  same 

Wherefore  your  petitioners  humbly  pray  that  they  may  have 
the  previlege  of  raising  one  thousand  pounds  by  lottery  to  be 
applied  for  the  use  of  said  Academy  and  your  petitioners  as  in 
duty  bound  Shall  ever  pray 

Charles  Barrett  for  and  in  behalf  of 
the  trustees  of  New  Ipswich 
Academy 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


\_F7'om  Gen.  Chase's  Papers.^ 

A Return  of  Cap*  John  Willoughbys  Company 

A List  of  the  Officers  and  Gentle  Volunteers,  and  Soldiers 
under  CoP  David  Webster — Cap*"  John  Willoughby 

Genthii  Volu7iteers 


Cp*  Gershom  Burbank 
Cp*  Cuttin  Feavor 
Lieu*  Robert  Forsith 
Lieu*  Sam*  Haseltine 

Joshua  Fletcher 
Sam*  Mers 
Stephen  Keys 
David  Nevins 
Israel  Brainard 
Sam*  Worthen 
Josiah  Brown 
Sam*  Ambrose 

Sum  Total  24 
Saratoga  ocP  lo**'  1777. 


Cp*  James  Hobbart 
Lieu*  Thomas  Bartlet 
Ens"  John  Southmayd 


Privates 

Jonathan  Cone 
Nason  Cass 
Josiah  Fellows 
Naum  Powers 
Isaac  Ward 
John  Kemp 
Darius  Willey 
Carr  Huse 


[The  following  documents  relating  to  the  towns  therein 
mentioned  were  found,  together  with  many  other  state  pa- 
pers, in  a junk-store,  since  Vol.  XI  was  published.  The 
originals  may  be  found  in  Manuscript  Vol.  XII,  collection 
of  1880,  in  office  of  secretary  of  state. — Ed.] 


[12-24]  \_Enlist77ie7tts.,  Poscawen^  z/pd.] 

We  the  Subscribers  Do  Hereby  Engage  to  sarve  in  the  Con- 
tinental Armey  at  New  york  till  the  first  Day  of  Dec''  Next 


752 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


unless  sooner  Discharged  agreable  to  order  from  Col  Thomas 
Stickney  bearing  Date  Septr  i6  1776 — 

Boscawen  Sept*"  17  1776 


Peter  Kimball 
Samuel  Ames 
Cutting  Noyes 
Bitfield  Plumer 


Moses  Manuel 
Simeon  Jackman 
Sam*^  Cofin 
Moses  Burbank  Jr 


\_Relative  to  yohn  Allen^  ^777*] 

Boscawen,  March,  7,  1777. 

Gentlemen — 

Agreable  to  a Vote  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
&c,  in  this  Town,  I desire  you  to  send  us  attested  Depositions, 
(if  it  can  be,)  of  any  weighty  Matters  against  M*"  John  Allen, 
(Itinerant  Preacher,)  as  a dangerous,  or  inimical  Person  to  the 
united  vStates. 

Our  Committee  has  examined,  & search’d  him,  at  a northern 
Town  ; & not  finding  him  guilty,  dismiss’d  him,  taking  his 
Promise,  upon  HoiP  to  come  to  one  of  them  after  he  had 
preach’d  three  Sabbaths  at  Grafton,  And  we  have  voted  to 
meet,  & try  him,  at  his  Return. 

From  your  humble  Servant 

R Morrill  Clerk 

To  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  &c,  at  Concord. 


[12-26]  S^Return  of  Soldiers^  Boscawen^  777c?.] 

To  Col  Thos  Stickney  S'" — 

In  Consequence  of  your  orders  bareing  Date  the  of  this 
Instant  I Do  here  by  Return  to  you  Will'"  Jackman  & Daniel 
Carter  to  serve  as  Soldiers  agreeable  to  your  warrant  Please 
to  muster  them  for  Boscawen — 

this  from  your  Humble  sarvent  Peter  Kimball  Capt 

Boscawen  June  27  177S 


[12-27]  \_Retu7'n  of  Soldiers^  Boscawe7t^  777^.] 

Boscawen  July  13  1779 

To  Col  Tho®  Stickney — 

S'"  In  obedience  to  orders  Receiv‘d  bareing  Date  July  2^  I 
have  Rais‘d  2 men  for  the  Defence  of  Roadiland  to  serve  Six 


APPENDIX. 


753 


months  their  Names  are  as  follows  Viz  Will™  Jackman  & 
Daniel  Carter 

this  from  your  Humble  Servn*  Peter  Kimball  Cap‘ 

To  Col  Tho®  Stickney 


j] 1 2-28]  [ William  Rogers's  Cornplaint^  Rou>^  iyy6.~\ 

To  Colonel  Stickney  S'" 

The  Complaint  of  W*"  Rogers  of  Bow  Humbly  Sheweth 
that  whereas  Cap‘  Been  of  Bow  aforesaid  Yesterday  out  of 
Malice  as  I supposed  Insulted  me,  at  the  same  time  Slighting 
the  Commission  your  Honour  was  pleased  to  Confer  upon  me, 
in  Drafting  me  to  Goto  Canada  as  a Private  Soldier  Before  the 
Company  you  Commissioned  me  in  Which  I think  is  a Great 
imposition  on  me,  & will  if  passed  over  unnoticed  have  a tend- 
ency to  make  all  Commissions  for  the  future  of  no  Conse- 
quence Therefore  upon  the  above  Complaint  I Report  S^^  Cap* 
Been,  & Desire  that  he  be  tryed  By  a Court  martial  For  his 
Conduct 

Dated  Bow  July  9*^  i77^ — William  Rogers 

CoP  Thomas  Stickney  Concord — 


[12-29]  \_Return  of  Soldiers^  Row^ 

Sir  Bow  Sep*  17*^  ^77^ 

Persuant  to  your  Orders  Dated  y®  16“^  Instant  I have  Raised 
three  Men,  who  will  appear  att  your  house  att  the  time  ap- 
pointed and  will  be  Equiped  and  Ready  to  March  as  Soon  as 
Orders  are  Given 

The  men  Inlisted  are  Jonathan  Currier  Ephraim  Kinsman 
Ralph  Cross  Jun'' 

this  from  yours  &c 

Benj^  Bean 

To  CoP  Stickney 


[12-30]  \_Retur7i  of  Soldiers^  Bow^  77/(5*.] 


Bow  April  y*  24*^  ^77^ 

Sir — 

Persuant  to  your  Orders  of  y®  13*^  I have  used  my  utmost 
Influence  to  procure  the  Remainder  of  our  Continental  Soldiers 

50 


754 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


but  to  no  Purpose,  and  have  at  Last  proceeded  to  Draught  them 
whose  Names  are  as  Follows  Viz — 

Edward  Russell,  paid  his  Fine 
Goen  Hemphill 
Simeon  Heath,  paid  his  Fine 
Elijah  Colby,  paid  his  Fine 
Richard  Clough  JuiF  paid  his  Fine 

These  from  your  Humble  Se*"  Benj*  Bean 


[12-31]  [^Soldiers’  Enlistment^  Bow^ 

State  of  Newhampshire  Rockingham  ss 

We  the  Subscribers  whose  Names  are  hereunto  Subscribed 
do  voluntarily  Inlist  our  selves  into  the  Continental  Sarvic  for 
three  months  from  the  time  we  git  to  the  place  of  Randevose 
and  we  promise  and  ingage  that  we  Will  be  obediant  to  such 
officers  as  may  or  shall  from  time  to  time  be  set  over  us  and  we 
also  ingage  that  we  will  be  obidant  and  subject  to  all  Ruls  and 
regulations  that  mav  or  shall  be  from  time  to  time  in  s^^  Sarvis 

Dated  at  Bow  this  i Day  of  July  1780 — 

Reuben  Currier 
William  Walker 


A List  of  the  Men  Names  From  fifty  to  Sixteen  back 


Levi  Clough 


[12-32] 


\_Canterduiy  '''"Train  Bandi^~\ 


Callop  Heath 
William  Glines 


Sargent  Morriell  Edmond  Kizer 

Abraham  Morriell  Benjamon  Sanborn 

Thomas  Hoyit  Nathaniel  Pallet 

Benjamin  Heath  Joshua  weaks 

David  Foster  William  Moore 

Nehemiah  Clough  Juner 
Epharam  Carter  Stephen  Sutton 

Levit  Clough  Mickel  Sutton 

Henry  Clough  Robrt  Curry 

Hezekiah  young  Jonathan  Weast 

Daniel  Felcher  Joh*^  Weast 

Phinehas  Flacher  Benjamin  Blanchard 

Joseph  Sanborn  Jonathan  Blanchard 

Jeremiah  Ladd  Jo^l  Blanchard 

Benjamin  Wicher  Nothaniel  Moore 

Jonathan  Wicher  John  Moore  Juner 


Juner 

Samuel  Hans 
Richard  Hans 
James  Maloney 
Gidden  Bartlet 
Richard  Ellison 
Jonathan  Gils 
Si  men  Roberson 
Walter  Hans 
Thomas  Gipson 
Richard  Glins 
William  Miles 
Obadiah  Clough 
Joseph  Clough 


APPENDIX. 


755 


Edmon  Colbey 
Jeremiah  Danford 
Stephen  Hans 
John  Forrest  Juner 
Ezekiel  worthen 
Daniel  Randel 
David  Ames 
Abener  Hoyit 
Benjamin  Simson 
James  Towle 


Jesse  Stiviens 
Samuel  Coibey 
Asa  Foster 
Benjamin  Johnson 
Jonathan  Foster 
Baranat  Stils 
John  Been 
Humpre  Clolbey 
William  Forrest  the  4 
Joseph  Woodman 


Samuel  Moore 
Simon  Stevens 
William  Simons 
John  Glines 
John  Foss 
Samuel  Grrish 
Nathaniel  Glins 
Robert  Foss 
Aaron  Sargent 
Simon  Sanborn 


Totle  76 — in  Number  in  the  Second  Company  in  Colonal 
Stickney  Regment  Taken  By  us  James  Shepard  Cap‘  Laben 
morrill  Livt  James  Glines  Livt  Jeremiah  Racket  En® 

the  Number  of  Guns  in  the  Second  Company  is  36  in  Num- 
ber 


S^Canterbiiry  ''''Train  Band’*  and  ''’'Alarm  List.”~\ 
return  of  the  train  band  under  my 


[12-33] 

The  following  being  a 
Command  in  Canterbury 

Lieif  thomas  Gilmon 
Leui‘  Ebenezer  Kimbal 
Ensign  William  Sanborn 
Sargant  Richard  Blanchard 
Jacob  Heath 
David  Norriss 
Willi  Perkins 
Corper'®  Jesse  Cross 

Nathan®'  Derbon 
Gideon  levet 
Joseph  Carr 
Fifer  Joseph  Hancock 
Privets  thomas  Cross 
John  Cross 
George  Hancock 
Benjamin  Collins 
thomas  Clough 
William  Kinestone 
David  Kinestone 
John  Derbon 
Shubal  Derbon 
William  Glines 


Privets  William  Diah 
Peter  Huneford 
David  morrison 
Nathaniel  Witcher 
John  mcDaniel 
Jeremiah  Daniel 
Abner  miles 
Samuel  miles 
James  Soyer 
Nathaniel  Perkens 
James  Blanchard 
James  Perkens 
David  Blanchard 
Jonathon  Wodaly 
William  Kenestone 
James  Simon 
Abraham  Derbon 
thomas  Cross 
Jonathan  Sanborn 
Ezekeil  Gilmon 
Obediah  Davis 
William  Hancock 


Larm  Lest  Names 

William  Glines  Lieu*  Charls  Gliden 

Benjmin  Blanchard  Leu*  Jonathan  Heath 


7S& 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Shubal  Derbon 
Ensi  Arcbelaus  miles 

A true  Return 

Per  Me 


John  Cross 
Gideon  levit 

Edward  Blancbard  Captain 


[12-34]  \_£^nlist?nents^  Canterbury^ 

Canterbury  September  y®  i8‘^  ^77^ — 

We  tbe  Subscribers  do  hereby  Ingage  our  selves  In  tbe  Con- 
tinental Servis,  and  forthwith  to  March  to  New  York  and  joyn 
the  Continental  x\rmy  there  and  Continue  therein  untill  the  first 
day  of  December  Next  Unless  Sunner  Discharged 

As  Witness  our  hands — 

Samuel  Gerrish 
William  clement 
Henry  Clough 
Sargent  Morrill 

A Return  of  the  Names  of  the  Continental  Soldiers  Inlisted 
for  the  Town  of  Canterbury  in  the  State  of  New  Hamps''  for 


the  Term  of  Three  Years  or  During  the  War — 

John  Holden — of  Canterbury  The  Cap‘  Unknown  l 

Elkins  Moore  Cap*  Robbenson  i 

Parson  Eastman  i 

George  Sheperd  in  Cap*  Stones  Company  i 

Robert  Hastings  i 

James  Hastings  i 

Nicholas  Hall  i 

John  Rowing  in  Cap*  Grays  Company  . i 

Andrew’  Rowing  i 

Abner  Fowler  i 

Thomas  Hoit  in  Cap*  Livermore’s  Company  i 

Walter  Hains  in  Cap*  Frye’s  Company  i 

Prince  Thompson  i 

Ebenez^  Varnum  of  Conway  in  Cap*  Livermore’s  Company  i 
Pratt  Chase  of  Concord  i 

Loyd  Jones  i 

William  Walker  in  Cap*  Fryes  Company  i 

Aaron  Hale  of  Boscaw^en  the  Captain  Unknown  i 

John  Mills  of  Nottingham  i 


^9 

Nath  Glines  Cap*  Frye  Comp  Continental  Soldiers 
Samuel  Danford  Boscawen  Ditto 


Joshua  Weeks 
Nathanaiel  pallet 
Israel  Glines 
r 


APPENDIX. 


757 


Canterbury  July  the  2^  i777 — 

Pursuant  to  the  precept  from  the  Honourable  Thomas  Stick- 
ney  Esq*"  We  do  hereby  make  a true  Return  of  the  Above 
Mentioned  Soldiers  they  being  Inlisted  for  the  Town  of  Can- 
terbury and  State  of  New  Hampshire — 


James  Shepard 
Edward  Blanchard 


[12-36]  [^Enlistments  in  Canterbtiry^  iy8o.~\ 


Canterbury  July  1780 

We  the  subscribers  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  Voluntarily 
enlisted  to  serve  the  United  States  of  America  for  three  Months 
from  the  time  we  shall  Join  the  Army  of  the  s'^  United  States 
at  the  place  appointed  for  Rendesvous  by  the  Commander  in 
Chief  of  said  Army 
Witness  our  Hands — 

William  Foster 

Ezekiel  moore 

Asa  Forster 

his 

Daniel  X forster 

mark 

his 

Elkins  X Moor 

mark 

moses  davis 


[12-37]  [Enlistments  in  Canterbury ^ //c?/.] 

Canterbury  24^^  July  1781 

We  whose  Names  are  underwritten  hereby  acknowlege  to 
to  have  volentarily  inlisted  to  serve  as  Militia  in  the  Conti- 
nental Army  for  the  term  of  three  Months  from  the  time  of 
our  joining  said  Army  On  the  encouragement  given  by  the 
Town  of  Canterbury  at  a Muster  for  the  purpose  of  raising  s*^ 
Men,  And  engage  to  equip,  and  march  whenever  we  shall  re- 
ceive orders. 


his 

Samson  X Battis 

mark 


thomas  Curry 


peter  Blanchard 
John  Sutton 


75 8 EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[12—38]  \_Capt.  yohn  Cram^ s Return^  Chichester^  ijy6.~\ 
Colony  of  New  Hampshire 

To  the  Honourable  Thomas  Stickney  Esq  Colo"  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Reigement  of  Miletery  in  the  Colony  Aforesaid — 

Percuent  to  orders  I have  Received  from  vour  honour  I have 

•/ 

acordingly  Mustered  my  Company  and  have  Enlisted  Ei  ght 
Able  Bodyed  Elective  men — 

Also  An  a Count  of  all  the  Training  Soldiers  under  my 


Command  from  Sixteen  to  fifty  years  Id 

Drumer  one  001 

Sargents  and  privates  Seventy  Eight  078 

Also  those  of  the  alarm  List  Eighteen  018 

Those  Gone  into  the  Service  for  twelve  Months  four  004 

Also  the  frinds  or  the  People  Called  quakers  Six  006 


Chichester  July  the  12*’^  i77^ 


107 

P’’  me  John  Cram  Cap* 


[12-39]  \_Co7tcord  Enlistme7tt^  z/yp.] 

Concord  July  12**^  ^779 

We  'the  Subscribers  do  hereby  Enlist  as  Soldiers  In  one  of 
the  New  hampshire  battalians  for  one  year  and  promise  obedi- 
ence to  our  officers  and  Subject  to  the  regulation  of  our  armey 

Nathan  Martin 


[12-40]  [ Concord  Enlistments.^  iy8i.~\ 

Concord,  July  17*^  1781 

We  the  Subscribers  do  voluntarily  Inlist  ourselves  as  Soldiers 
in  the  service  of  New  Hampshire  for  the  Parish  of  Concord  for 
the  Term  of  Three  Months  after  our  Arrival  at  the  Place  of 
Rendavous  unless  sooner  discharged  and  we  promise  obedience 
to  our  Officers  and  to  be  subject  to  the  Rules  of  the  Army  dur- 
ing said  Term — 

As  witness  our  hands 

Jeremiah  Virgin 
Jeremiah  Chandler 
Moses  Reed 
Phenehas  Ayer 
Joseph  Blanchard 
David  Eastman 
Miller  Kimball 


APPENDIX. 


759 


{^12-41]]  \_Ag'reement  between  the  Town  of  Exeter  and  Ed- 
ward Gilmaji^  j64y.~\ 

The  of  November  1647  : 

The  Agreem*  of  y®  Inhabitants  of  y®  Towne  of  Exiter — 
Imp®  That  we  do  accept  of  Edward  Gilman  the  youngest  to  be 
a Townsman  amongst  us  and  do  give  an  grant  him  liberty  to 
sett  up  a saw  mill  or  mills  in  any  River  within  the  liberty  of 
Exiter,  and  to  have  the  liberty  of  y®  River  for  y®  use  of  y®  mills 
and  of  y®  pines  for  Sawing  or  mast  or  any  other  timber  for 
Sawing,  to  have  the  privilege  of  it  w“‘  in  the  liberty  of  Exi- 
ter.— 

2 : The  afores'^  Edw*^  Gilman  do  engage  himself  to  come  and 
live  as  a townsman  among  y’"  and  to  sett  up  a mill  by  the  last 
of  march  next  Ensueing  if  he  can  or  at  the  farthest  by  the  last 
of  August  next  Ensueing  : 

3 the  sd  Gilman  doth  Engage  himself  to  lett  y®  Townsmen 
have  what  boards  thay  stand  in  need  of  for  their  own  use  in  y® 
Town  at  3®^'  a hundred,  and  w^  two  Inch  plank  thay  shall  need 
for  floring  at  y®  same  price  and  to  take  Cuntry  pay  at  price 
Curr*‘  if  the  mill  shall  saw  it. 

4:  The  s'^  Gilman  doth  Engage  himself  that  what  masts  he 
makes  use  of  to  give  y™  as  much  as  if  he  sawed  y'"  into  boards 
and  to  allow  half  a hundred  in  every  2000  to  the  town. 

5.  It  is  Agreed  that  iVnthony  Stanion  shall  have  liberty  to 
put  in  a quarter  part  for  a saw  mill,  provided  he  do  make  good 
his  proportion  or  quarter  part  in  every  respect  of  charges  as  a 
partner  so  that  the  work  be  not  hindered  by  him,  if  he  doe  so 
forfeit  his  share  to  the  afores‘^  Gilman,  and  to  pay  w‘  damage 
he  shall  sustain  by  it,  for  the  true  and  sure  performance  of  w®** 
wee  do  bind  our  selves  in  fortie  pounds  Sterling 

In  Wittness  whereunto  we  have  sett  our  hands — 

Edward  Gilman 

W™  More 
Sam'*  Grinfield 

hit  — , mark 

Nath"  Boulter  [^Townsmen 
Beltisha  : Willex  | 

Edw**  Hillton  J 

m*^  Thomas  Dudley  as  he  is  a Selectman  apeared  before  me 
at  Exiter  in  New  Hampsh*"  & made  Oath  that  this  writing  is  a 
true  Copie  of  this  grant  in  the  Town  book  this  3d  Xb'’  1694. 

Rob‘  Wadleigh  : J : P 

vera  Copia  : 

Test  W"’  Redford  Clr  : 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


760 

At  a Town  meeting  the  day  of  June  1657  It  was  Ordered 
that  all  the  pines  upon  the  Comons  from  this  time  forward 
shall  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  said  mills  that  are  sett  up 
allready,  and  for  y"*  that  shall  be  sett  up  w*^^  are  now  Granted  ; 
Provided  that  notwithstanding  this  order  there  is  liberty  for 
masts,  fuel  building  and  Cannoes,  and  if  at  any  time  there  shall 
be  any  particular  grants  of  Lands  made  to  any  : Yet  the  owners 
of  Saw  mills  shall  have  liberty  to  Carrie  of  the  Pine  Timber 
Except  before  Excepted 

a true  Copie  att‘  Thos  Dudley 

Abily  Dudley 
Moses  Gilman 

vera  Copia 

Test:  W*"  Redford  Clr : 


[12-42]  [^Deed^  Wado7ionami7t^  alias  yoliTi  yoh7tso7t^  to  Ed~ 

'voa7'd  Hilto7i^  1660. ~\ 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  y*  I Wadononamin  In  Eng- 
lish John  Johnson  y®  Indian  and  Sagamore  of  VVashucke  and 
Piscataqua  now  Living  at  Washucke  w‘'’  in  y®  Collony  of  N 
EngP  for  y®  love  I bear  to  English  men  and  especially  to  Edw*^ 
Hilton  of  Piscataqua  Eldest  son  of  Edw*^  Hilton  of  y®  Same 
Piscataqua  CenP  of  y®  s*^  Collony  as  for  divers  other  Reason- 
able Causes  and  Considerations  me  thereunto  Moving  have 
Voluntarily  and  freely  given  Grant'^  Enfeoff‘d  and  Confirmed  & 
by  these  presents  do  Give  Grant  Enfeoff  and  Confirm  with  y® 
s*^  Edward  Hilton  Jun*'  all  my  Lands  of  what  Nature  Qiiality 
or  kind  sover  they  are  of  lying  Bounded  between  two  Branches 
of  Lamprell  River,  Called  Washucke  being  about  Six  Miles  In 
Length  and  In  Breadth  about  some  place  of  it  Six  Miles  being 
a Neck  of  Land  togfether  w*’^  all  Meadows  Timber  Mines  or 
Minerals  and  all  premises  and  Appurten®  To  have  hold  Pos- 
sess & Enjoy  all  & Every  part  of  y®  Afores^  Land  w‘^  all  y® 
Appurten®  Rights  and  privileges  thereunto  belonging  unto  y® 
s*^  Edw*^  Hilton  Jun’'  his  heirs  and  Assigns  forever  In  Such 
Large  and  Ample  Manner  Sort  & forme  as  I y®  s*^  Wadonon- 
amin In  English  Jn®  Johnson  may  Grant  Convey  and  Assure 
y®  Same  only  Excepting  y®  use  and  Improvem*  of  y®  one  halfe 
(if  need  be)  of  Convenient  Planting  Land  for  & Dureing" 
my  Naturall  Life  ; y®  s^  Land  & Every  part  thereof  as  before 
Bound‘d  w‘^  y®  Appurten®  Rights  and  privileges  thereunto  be- 
longing as  Afores*^  (Excepting  part  thereof  for  life  as  before  is 
Except‘d)  then  and  from  thenceforth  to  be  Continue  and  Re- 
maine  unto  y®  s*^  Edw^*  Hilton  Jun’’  his  heirs  and  Assigns  for- 
ever as  is  Afores'^  as  his  and  their  own  proper  Right  of  a good 


APPENDIX. 


761 


perfect  and  Absolute  Estate  of  Inheritance  a Gift  out  Any 
y®  Least  Let  Molestation  or  Expulsion  of  me  y®  s*^  Wadonon- 
amin  In  English  Jn°  Johnson  my  heirs  or  Assigns  or  Any 
Claiming  Any  Title  Claim  or  Interest  to  y®  Same  or  Any  part 
or  parcell  thereof  from  or  under  me — 

In  Witness  whereof  I have  hereunto  put  my  hand  & Seal  this 
i^th  Jan^'y  In  y®  year  of  our  Lord  1660  Anoq  Regni 

Regis  Caroli  Secundi  & H Alias  & iii 


Wadononamin  alias  ^ 
John  Johnson  his  mk 


Sign‘d  SeaE  & In  presence  of  us 


Witness® — 

Edw^^  Hilton  Sen^ 
Walter  Barefoote 
m’’  W"’  Indian 
w‘*^  one  Eis  his — 
X N Mark 


Wadononamin  Alias  Jn”  Johnson  Appear^  before  me  & Ac- 
knowledged this  Deed  Above  written  to  be  his  voluntary  Act 
& Deed  to  y®  use  of  Edw*^  Hilton  Jun'"  this  22'^  of  March  1668/69 
Before  me — 

Samuel  Dalton  Commiss’’ 


Be  it  Remembered  y*  upon  3'®  day  of  y®  Date  hereof  quiet  & 
Peaceable  Possession  of  y®  land  w‘^'  in  Grant‘d  was  Given  & De- 
liver^ by  y®  w^'Hn  Nani‘S  Wadononamin  Indian  In  English  Jn® 
Johnson  unto  y®  w^^D'n  Nam^  Edw'^  Hilton  JuiP  In  Name  & 
Possession  of  all  3^®  Lands  In  y®  Deed  w“'  in  written  Contain‘d 
To  HAVE  & TO  HOLD  uiito  y®  s*^  Edw‘^  Hilton  his  heirs  and 
Assigns  forever  According  to  y®  Tennor  and  true  meaning  of 
y®  Deed  w‘*^in  written — 

In  presence  of  us  Jan*^^  y®  14^^  1668 — 

ffrancis  Thornes 
Antipas  Manerick 


Record^  According  to  3’®  Orig”  the  10*^  of  Jan’’^  1669 

Per  Elias  Stileman  Record' 

Pro®  N Hampsh'  the  foregoing  is  a True  Copy  from  y®  Pub- 
lick  Records  of  y®  Pro®  Afors*^  In  Book  N®  3 : Page  i 2^^  Com- 
par‘d Nov'  27,^  1731  — 


Per  Josh  : Peirce  Record' 


762  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 

[12-43]  \^Docu7nents  relative  to  a Convention  of  Delegates 
fro?n  sundry  Towns ^ l'/8yC\ 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
in  Generali  Assembly  Convened  at  Concord  in  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire  on  the  Twenty  Eighth  Day  of  October  AD 

1783— 

Humbly  Sheweth  your  Petitioners  from  the  purest  motives 
did  early  take  an  Active  part  in  the  Support  and  Defence 
of  the  libertys  of  the  American  United  States — Despising  all 
the  Bombastick  Thunder  and  hauty  threats  of  Britain — and  have 
never  been  Seduced  from  a firm  and  steady  Attachment  to  the 
Interest  of  Our  Country  by  All  the  Allureing  Eloquence  and 
Guileful  Sophistry  of  the  Archest  of  her  Emisaries — and  it  is 
no  Exaggeration  to  say  that  many  of  your  Petitioners  have  as 
Faithfully  Served,  as  Greevously  Suffered — and  as  patiently 
Endured  the  fatigues  and  Distresses  of  the  Severest  Cam  pains, 
and  faced  as  many  Dangers  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States, 
as  any  class  of  men  New-Hampshire  can  boast  of — nor  is  it 
doing  of  us  Justice  to  suppose  that  all  the  true  Valour  and  Vir- 
tuous principals  of  the  Army  ; were  above  our  humble  Sphere, 
and  only  to  be  found  amongst  those  who  were  Honoured  with 
Commissions,  some  of  whose  characters  we  should  not  Injure 
should  we  say  they  did  not  excell  many  to  be  found  in  the 
Ranks — so  much  in  their  mental  powers,  as  in  the  Glitter  of 
Dress  and  Military  Parade  and  though  your  petitioners  have 
greatly  suffered  in  the  Army  by  the  UnparalleP  fatigues  of  long 
and  tedious  marches — Severe  Conflicts — and  Miserable  Accomo- 
dations in  Our  Cantonements  from  the  want  of  money  and  neces- 
sary supplys  so  that  many  times  we  were  Naked  and  Destitute, 
yet  the  Glorious  prise  for  which  we  Struggled  and  the  pleasing 
prospect  of  future  happiness  in  a land  of  Freedom  Excited  to 
that  fortitude  and  patience  So  Conspicuous  in  the  Army — nor 
Can  it  be  pretended  that  the  Army  were  the  only  Sufferers  by 
the  War — many  yea  very  many  of  our  Virtuous  Cityzens  have 
Suffered  almost  unparalleled  Distress  by  the  Desolating  Rave- 
ges  and  Barbarous  Cruelty  of  the  Enemy — 

And  those  virtuous  Patriots  who  have  Served  the  publick  in 
Court  and  Congress  ; with  but  a Scanty  pittance  for  their  Im- 
portant Services  together  with  those  who  have  Used  every 
Effort,  by  loaning  their  Interest  to  the  publick  to  make  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  Army  as  Easy  as  possible  and  have  Suffered 
Great  loss  by  the  Depreciation  of  a paper  Currency  and  are 
now  with  us  Suffering  for  their  Dues  have  Justly  merited  the 
Attention  of  Our  Legislature — 

Your  petitioners  therefore  beg  leave  to  Unbosom  their  Poign- 
ant Grief  to  their  Fathers  and  Guardians  in  General  Court 


APPENDIX. 


763 


Assembled  (when  we  find  that  by  the  Resolves  of  Congress  the 
Officers  of  the  Army  are  Intitled  to  half  pay  for  life  or  five 
Years  full  pay  ; as  a Reward  for  their  Sufferings — while  those 
who  (to  say  the  least)  have  as  Greatly  Suffered  are  liable  to  be 
Taxed  for  the  payment  thereof)  and  Also  to  Expostulate  a lit- 
tle on  the  Injustice  of  adding  Unnecessarily  to  the  Miseries  of 
the  Distressed  And  wherein  cloth  it  appear  necessary  that  this 
Additional  grant,  should  have  been  made  to  the  Officers — were 
their  Sufferings  Greater  than  of  those  Already  Enumerated — 
why  then  should  they  be  thus  Distinguished  by  the  particular 
favours  of  Congress  hath  not  their  pay  been  Doubled  since  the 
Commencement  of  the  War — and  had  the  Soldier  a propor- 
tional Allowance — 

If  it  be  said  the  Grant  was  necessary  to  prev'ent  their  leaving 
the  Army — were  thev  not  under  Equal  or  Greater  obligations 
to  Continue  in  the  Service  than  the  Soldier  (if  their  Obliga- 
tions Rose  in  proportion  to  their  important  trust) or  why  Doth 
the  Deranged  officers  participate  the  Boon  ; while  those  whose 
impared  health  Caused  them  to  Resign  are  excluded — Can  it 
be  supposed  that  the  murmerings  of  the  Soldier  would  have  so 
Readily  procured  him  a Pension  as  a place  in  a Gaurd-house — 
Can  it  then  be  Just  to  Raise  the  Officers  to  a State  of  Opulence 
at  the  Expence  of  the  happiness  of  those  full  as  Deserving — 
Will  the  State  of  Our  Finances  Admit  of  such  liberal  Dona- 
tions— and  Amidst  the  Acclamations  of  Joy  at  the  Establish- 
ment of  a happy  Peace — how  Dissonant  must  be  the  Groans  of 
a Distressed  multitude  Sinking  under  the  weight  of  an  Accu- 
mulated Debt — and  we  are  Confident  that  the  most  Deserving 
among  the  Officers  of  the  Army  Do  not  desire  any  Emolument 
which  will  so  grievously  Affect  their  Distreesed  Brethren — nor 
can  your  petitioners  suppose  the  afore  S^  Resolves  of  the  Na- 
ture of  an  irreversible  Decree — Therefore  in  the  most  Humble 
and  Importunate  manner  We  Implore  the  interposition  of  Our 
Legislature  that  by  a Remonstrance  and  Petition  to  Congress — 
Accompanied  with  particular  Instructions  to  our  Members  they 
Endeavour  that  Congress  Recind  the  afore  S*^  Resolves  and 
that  such  measures  be  taken  as  will  be  most  Eligible  for  the 
Speedy  payment  of  our  Wages  and  for  Discharging  the  Inter- 
est on  the  publick  Debt  and  finally  to  preserve  the  States  from 
Bankruptcy — Or  that  such  other  methods  be  taken  as  You  in 
your  Wisdom  shall  think  most  Effectual  for  the  Accomplishing 
those  Important  purposes,  and  securing  the  peace  and  happi- 
ness of  the  State — And  your  Petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  pray — 


Ebenezer  Drury 
Bunker  Clark 
Ichabod  Perry 


Michael  George 
James  Stanford 
James  Taggart 


Henary  

James  Moore 
James  Haukley 


764  EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


Reuben  Hosiner 
Benj^  Williams 
YYiljm  Pi-Jciiard 
Jonas  Whiting 
Sam'  Whiting 
Jonas  Adams 
William  Hewitt 
Benjamin  Bary 


Sam'  Holt 
Sam'  mitchel 
John  Swan 
Georg  Cooper 
Ruben  Hosmer 
Will"^  Blair 
Thimothey  mellone 
W”'  Tompson 


Zillai  Sticknee 
Lemuel  Sticknee 
Benj“  Smith 
Paul  Sticknee 
Sam'  Potter 
Abner  Preston 
Levi  Adams 


[12-49]  from  aforenafned  Conventio7i^ 

To  the  the  Hon'^''*  Council  & house  of  Representatives  of  the 

state  of  New  Hampshire,  to  be  conven’d  at  Concord  on  the 

Third  wednesdav  of  December  next — 

Ivlay  it  please  your  Honours — 

We  the  delegates  of  Twenty  Three  Towns  in  said  state 
having  met,  beg  leave  to  address  & remonstrate  to  your  honors 
& say,  that  the  Convention  being  deeply  impress^  with  the  im- 
portance of  the  subject  wou’d  lay  the  same  before  your  Honors 
& permit  us  to  be  humbly  importunate  on  the  subject — The 
Convention  at  their  last  meeting  remonstrated,  and  laid  before 
the  Late  HotP’®  Court  (in  part)  their  matters  of  grievance  but 
the  Close  of  the  year  & other  causes  enduced  that  HoiP'®  body 
to  dissolve  earlier  than  was  Thought  they  wou’d  have  done,  so 
that  our  desir’d  redress  cou’d  not  be  Effected  in  any  part. 
The  Convention  assur’d  that  Hon'^'®  bodv  of  their  firm  intention 
to  keep  that  good  order  & discipline,  which  all  good  govern- 
ment most  necessarily  require  — The  Convention  beg  leave 
again  to  assure  your  Honors  of  their  same  disposition  & inten- 
tion of  doing  all  in  their  power  to  keep  up  that  same  good 
order — And  be  assur’d  the  Convention  has  the  greatest  abhor- 
ence  of  a state  of  anarchy  (so  much  to  be  dreaded)  & that  they 
will  be  as  careful  as  in  them  lies,  to  shun  every  act  that  may 
tend  that  way — 

The  many  Grievances  which  was  laid  before  the  late  Hon'*'® 
House,  were,  the  multiplicity  of  Lawsuits,  the  Enormous  gra- 
tuity s to  be  given  to  the  officers  who  serv’d  in  the  late  war,  the 
Tax  on  money  at  interest  & the  not  laying  the  duty  of  5 per 
Cent,  on  all  imported  Articles  so  strongly  Urg’d  & recom- 
mended by  Congress — 

The  people,  in  the  late  war.  have  accumulated  a learge  Debt, 
a great  part  of  the  people  Contracted  the  Debts  the_y  are  now 
distriss’d  for  to  support  the  war  & many  not  having  the  least 
idea  of  the  smallness  of  our  finances,  lent  the  Public  learge 
sums,  which  the  public  pledged  their  faith  that  the  same  shoud 


APPENDIX. 


76s 


be  immediately  paid  on  the  expectation  of  which,  they  con- 
tracted Debts  with  their  neighbours,  the  Public  still  withholds 
payment  whereby  individuals  are  Cruelly  sued  perplex’d  Har- 
rass’d  & Brot  almost  to  desparation  — The  war  with  all  its 
Calamitys  did  not  seem  near  so  distressing  as  the  present  times 
— nothing  but  gold  & silver,  (which  your  honors  are  sensible 
are  not  to  be  had)  will  satisfy  the  gentleman  who  laid  his  plan 
to  disconcert  every  measure  that  the  states  were  taking  to  gain 
the  independence  they  so  much  desird  & which  they  have 
gain’d  notwithstanding  the  many  obstacles  thrown  in  the  way 
The  Convention  apprehend  that  still  those  very  men  woud 
wish  to  do  every  thing  that  wou’d  overturne  the  government  & 
bring  it  into  a state  of  anarchy  & Distress  (so  much  to  be 
dreaded)  & it  seems,  they  embrace  the  opportunity  to  call  for 
private  debts  which  was  contracted  before  & during  the  war  for 
the  Convention  are  really  sensible  those  gen‘  wou’d  not  lend 
the  Government  one  shilling  in  their  distress,  nor  pay  One 
shilling  any  otherways,  than  was  extorted  from  them — Your 
Honors  will  be  pleas’d  to  take  into  your  wise  consideration  & 
adopt  some  measure  that  a medium  of  trade  may  be  had  or  that 
a stop  mav  be  put  to  distressing  Suits  that  is  or  may  be  Bro’t — 
The  Convention  Humbly  presume  a new  proportion  will  soon 
be  made  to  levy  future  taxes  by,  beg  leave  to  Hint  to  your  hon- 
ors the  great  inequality  of  the  present  Tax  on  money  at  interest 
and  stock  in  trade  and  that  those  articles  may  have  due  Consid- 
eration with  you  in  your  new  proportion — the  Commutation  to 
be  giv’n  the  Gen*  Officers  who  have  serv’d  in  the  late  war  is 
extremely  heavy  on  the  people  who  are  to  pay  it — The  people 
at  home  have  labor’d  hard,  have  had  the  war  to  support  in  its 
other  branches,  & are  now  reduc’d  almost  to  an  alternative  of 
giving  their  all,  & flying  to  some  Howling  wilderness  & there 
to  begin  anew.  The  Convention  woud  be  exceeding  glad  to 
do  every  thing  in  their  power  to  compensate  those  geifl  who 
have  serv’d  in  the  field  & at  the  same  time  woud  beg  you  woud 
not  extort  the  whole  of  what  is  conquered.  The  war  is  now 
clos’d  and  they  cannot,  nay  they  must  not  expect  to  be  the  only 
gainers  therefore  the  Convention  begyour  honors  to  remonstrate, 
& if  any  remedy  is  to  be  had,  that  the  same  may  be  eflected 
which  the  Convention  still  hope  & trust  will  be  done — The 
duty  which  has  been  so  strongly  urged  by  Congress  to  be  laid 
on  all  imported  articles  the  Convention  being  fully  sensible  had 
it  been  done  long  before  this  it  woud  have  been  a great  step 
towards  raising  a revenue  and  that  the  States  woud  by  this 
time  have  rec^*  great  benifit  from  it  as  it  woud  have  put  it  in 
their  power  at  least  to  have  paid  part  of  the  interest  of  the  na- 
tional Debt,  and  that  Other  nations  woud  have  lent  us  money 
in  our  Distress  if  they  cou’d  be  assur’d  even  of  their  interest 


766 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


when  due — Other  nations  raise  learge  sums  in  this  way,  there- 
fore the  Convention  prays  your  honors  to  take  this  matter  into 
your  wise  Consideration  and  grant  the  same  as  our  other  states 
have  done — the  present  method  of  collecting  the  excise  the 
Convention  humbly  conceive  might  be  collected  in  some  other 
W'ay  less  disagreable  and  of  greater  utilitv  to  the  government 
The  Convention  w’ou’d  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  honors  that 
they  think  some  person  in  each  Towm  might  be  appointed  to 
collect  the  excise  and  be  accountable  in  the  same  manner  as 
other  Taxes  are  accounted  for — The  Convention  make  no  doubt 
but  your  honors  wdll  adopt  the  measure  that  will  conduce  to  the 
good  of  the  w’hole — The  fee-table,  the  Convention  woud  beg 
leave  to  remonstrate  to  your  honors  that  they  think  a regulation 
Ought  to  take  place  in  many  parts  of  it.  Bills  of  Cost  are 
mounted  at  this  day  to  an  Enormous  sum.  Nay,  without  being 
justly  due  in  our  humble  opinion,  therefore  beg  your  honors  to 
take  into  your  wdse  Consideration  and  make  such  alterations  as 
may  seem  to  be  more  equitable  and  just — The  Convention  are 
Deeply  sensible  of  the  great  embarrasments  the  gov'ernment  is 
in  for  w’ant  of  regular  payment  of  the  Taxes  call’d  for.  But 
the  people  have  not  the  money  Neither  can  they  get  it  to  pay. 
The  Convention  wou’d  beg  if  it  is  consistant  that  those  Extents 
for  moneys  due  to  the  government  for  the  Hier  of  Soldiers  may 
be  postpon’d  from  being  extended,  at  present — Till  the  average 
can  be  made — the  test  Act,  so  call’d,  has  caus’d  much  disturb- 
ance wdth  numbers  of  scrupulous  minds,  therefore  beg  your 
Honours  to  repeal  so  much  of  the  clause  of  that  act  as  relates 
to  voters  in  towm  meeting — The  confession  act,  so  call’d  seems 
to  strike  the  minds  of  the  people  that  the  same  if  properly 
made  will  be  verv  salutary  and  of  great  utility  to  the  Public  ; 
therefore  the  Convention  beg  your  hon’’  the  same  may  be  done 
— And  that  the  Debtor  have  liberty  to  confess  any  sum  that 
may  be  due  and  that  a reasonable  time  (giving  security  for  the 
personal  appearance  of  the  debtor  or  otherwise  payment  of  the 
dept)  be  allow’d  the  debtor  to  make  payment  before  Execution 
be  issued — 

To  all  which  w'e  pray  your  honors  to  give  that  attention  that 
the  necessity  of  the  Case  requires,  & as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray — 

In  behalf  of  Convention — 

Amos  Dakin  Charman 

Nov^  27‘^  17S3 — 


APPENDIX. 


767 


[12-50]  \_Another  Address  from  the  Chairman  of  the  afore- 
named Convention 

To  the  Council  & House  of  Representatives  in  General 

Assembly  Convened  at  Concord  in  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire— 

May  it  Please  Your  Honours — 

The  delegates  of  the  Towns  of  Wilton  New  Boston  Raby 
Mason  New  Ipswich  Peterborough  Rindge  Jaffrey  Dublin 
Packerfeild  Marlborough  Keen  Surrey  Chesterfield  Marlow 
L}'ndsborough  and  Richmond,  Beg  leave  to  remonstrate  and 
lay  before  your  Honors  the  distressing  situation  of  the  good 
people  of  this  State,  we  wou’d  Sincerely  Wish  the  greatest 
good  Order,  and  beleive  us  when  we  say  we  are  determined 
(as  far  as  in  us  lies)  to  maintain  Our  Government  to  the  fullest 
extent,  as  we  are  Sensible  Our  All  depends.  On  it.  We  are 
fully  Sensible  of  the  great  embarrasment,  and  difficulfys  this 
State  labours  Under,  and  More  especially.  Our  Hon'’^®  General 
Court  and  are  well  assured  they  would  be  glad  to  do  every 
thing  in  their  power.  But  the  many  Objections  that  Arises  to 
every  method  proposed  by  individuals  of  the  General  Court,  is 
Augmented  & therefore  every  part  is  laid  Aside — we  take  the 
liberty  to  inform  Your  Honours  we  have  Addressed  and  in- 
structed the  Hon'’'®  Councilors  and  Representatives  for  the  Sev- 
eral Towns  before  mentioned  that  thev  lay  before  your  Honours 
the  greivances,  we  labour  Under — Therefore  we  must  pray 
Your  Honours  to  give  Some  Attention,  and  that  we  be  re- 
dressed. The  greivances  which  the  good  People  that  have 
Constituted  us  to  Make  Known,  is  the  great  Multiplicit}’  of  law 
Suits  the  Enormous  Gratuitys  to  be  given  to  the  Otficers  who 
Served  in  the  late  war.  The  Tax  on  Money  at  interest  and 
The  not  laying  tlie  duty  of  five  per®*  on  all  imported  Articles 
as  Recommended  by  Congress  and  has  been  so  Strongly  Urged 
Therefore  confiding  in  Your  great  Wisdom  we  rest  Asured 
of  Relief,  and  as  in  duty  Bound  Will  Ever  pray — 

Amos  Dakin  by  Order  & in  Behalf  of 
the  Convention 


[12-51]  \_Action  of  the  Legislature  iit  the  ?natter.~\ 

State  of  Newhamps*’  In  house  of  Representatives  Nov*'  6"' 

1783— 

Voted  that  D’’  Preston,  Maj*'  White  CoP  Peabody  M^  Shan- 
non, CoP  M®Dufiee,  Esq*'  Blood  Capt  Clement  M*"  Barker  and 


;68 


EARLY  TOWN  PAPERS. 


M*'  Whipple  with  such  of  the  Board  as  they  Shall  Join 

be  a Committee  to  Consider  of  the  petition  of  Amos  Dakin  in 
behalf  of  Sundry  Towns — Also  the  petition  of  Ebenezer  Drury 
and  Others  and  all  Similar  matters  and  Report  thereon 

Sent  up  for  Concurrence 

John  Dudley  Speaker 

In  Council  the  Same  day  read  and  Concurred  & M*"  Worces- 
ter M*"  Farrar  & M''  M®Clary  Joined — 

E Thompson  Sy 

The  Committee  report  as  their  opinion  that  the  President  be 
desired  to  direct  the  Delegates  of  this  State  at  the  Continental 
Congress  to  remonstrate  to  Congress  against  their  granting  the 
five  years  pay  to  the  Officers  of  the  Army  and  urge  a repeal  of 
the  Resolves  of  Congress  already  pass’d  granting  the  same — 
the  Committee  also  beg  leave  to  recommend  that  a Committee 
be  appointed  to  prepare  a Draft  of  an  Act  for  a more  summary 
and  less  expencive  way  of  trying  Actions  at  Law  and  curtailing 
the  number  thereof  and  making  provision  for  the  ease  of  Debt- 
ors in  this  scarce  time  of  money,  and  also  revising  the  table  of 
Fees  and  especially  the  Article  of  Travel 


John  M®Cleary  for  the  Com‘®® 


INDEX. 


INDEX  OF  TOWNS,  PLACES,  ETC. 


Academies,  Gilmanton i4-i7 

Haverhill 184 

..  Marlow 572 

..New  Hampton. ..  .709 
New  Ipswich.  .730,  747 

Acworth 3q6,  463 

Adams 288 

Alewives 547,  558,  565 

Alexandria.  . .75,  76,  195,  196,  200 

Almsbury  Peak 85 

Alstead 23,  573 

Alton 9,  701 

Amesbury,  Mass 82.  256 

Amherst. ..  .46,  511,  519,  604,  606 

643 

Amoskeag 131,  541,  545 

Andover,  Mass 344 

Antrim 152 

Apthorpe 409,  424 

Ashland 226 

Atkinson 83,  92,  93,  177,  345 

Barker’s  Location 351 

Barnstead 8 

Bartlett 288,  289 

Bath 177,  180,  363,  364 

Bedford 28 

Belmont i 

Bemis’  Heights 570 

Bennington  battle. 34,  52,  193,  257 

267,  462,  541 

Billerica,  Mass 415 

Bloody  Point 65,  710 

Boar’s  Head 677 

Boscawen 751,  752,  756 

Boston  Artillery  Co 623 

Boston,  Mass 424,  642 

Bow 256,  258,  451,  753,  754 

Boyle  (Gilsum) 18 

Bradford 662,  668 


Brattleborough,  Vt 219 

Brenton’s  farm 414,  589 

Brentwood 342 

Bridgewater 195,  202 

Bristol 195 

f Brookfield 594 

I Brookline 231,  236,  603 

I Buck  Meadow  Falls 237,  238 

Bunker  Hill 167,  243,  292,  318 

265,  461,  463,  541,  578,  652,  653 
i 738 

I Camden,  Mass 746 

I Cambridge,  Mass.. . .461,  683,  736 

I Campton 78 

* Canaan 58,  162,  163,  385 

i Canals 175,  541,  557,  559,  562 

1 Canney’s  Cove 714 

' Canterbury 485,  754-756 

Cedars,  battle  at.  .53,  462,  505,  661 

{ Centre  Harbor 582,  707 

' Charlestown 214,  316,  320,  367 

i 369 

Chatham 289 

Chelmsford,  Mass 212,  415 

i Chester..  .25,  28,  195,  443,  451,  540 

553 

: Chesterfield 223,  767 

Chichester 1 16 

I Chimneys,  patent 412 

, Chiswick 405,  424 

j Chippewa 360 

I Cockermouth 73 

Colchester,  Conn 572 

^ Concord. . . .258,  267,  319,  485,  756 

758 

I Concord,  Mass 306,  461,  736 

Contoocook 256 

Conway 289,  356,  756 

Cods  county,  formation  of 356 


772 


INDEX. 


Cornish 56,  57,  369 

Counterfeiters 242,  476,  655 

Coventry,  Conn 159 

Cromwell’s  Falls 423 

Crotched  Mountain 64 

Crown  Point. . .6,  91,  122,  141,  288 
342,  450,  460,  504,  702,  722 
Croyd^on 56 

Dalton 355,  424 

Danbury 79,  195,  196 

Danville 83,  330,  347 

Dartmouth  College. ..  159,  160,  170 

361,  380 

Deering 195 

Derry 430 

Derryfield 33,  419,  429,  540 

Dorchester 74,  76,  78 

Dover 8,  ii,  109 

Dracut,  Mass 25,  441 

Dresden 381 , 382 

Dublin,  152,  314,  522,  567,  641,  767 

Dummer’s  Ferry 215,  220 

Dummerston,  Vt 213 

Dunbarton 25,  45,  254 

Dunstable..  .231-233,  236,  273,  275 
291,  342,  414,  586,  625 

Durham 1 1,  390 

Dupplin 396 

Duxbury  School  Farm. . . .513,  519 

530,  603,  604 

East  Kingston 330,  335,  347 

Easton 361 

Eaton 357 

Effingham 5,  7 

Enfield 57,  162,  167,  385,  388 

Epsom  486 

Equivalent  Land 213 

Exeter 105,  107,  759 

Fair,  town 131,  135 

Fever,  yellow 269 

Fish,  protection  of.  ..280,  549,  558 

565 

Fishersfield 46,  396,  662 

Fitzwilliam..  1 58,  299,  522,  567,  571 

Fort  Dummer 212 

Edward 342 

George 225 

Herkimer 537 

Sullivan 671 

Washington. . . .654,  671,  692 


Fort  William  Henry. ..292,  450,  542 
William  and  Mary.  ..in,  671 

679 

Fowle’s  Location 288,  290 

Franconia 229,  366 

Francestown.  .61, 62,  513,  532,  533 

564,  649 

Fremont 49,  56 

Gilford I 

Gilmanton i-i  7 

Gilman’s  Location 289,  299 

Gilsum 17-25,  307,  635 

Goffstown. . . .25-46,  254,  540,  642 

658,  660 

Goshen 46-48,  396,  669 

Governor’s  Island i 

Grafton 48-56,  162 

Grantham 56-61 

Greenfield.  . . .61-64,  509,  533,  536 

Greenland 64-73, 

Greenville 578 

Gridley’s  Location 289,  290 

Groton 73-82 

Groton,  Mass 18 

Gunthwaite 357,  363,  405 

Hampstead 82-98,  345,  388 

451 

Hampton 99-130,  330,  671 

Hampton  Falls.  . .99,  130-1 51,  324 

Hancock 152-158,522,  742 

Hanover  . . . 1 59-1 77,  382,  385,  506 

507 

Harvard  College 177 

Haverhill 177-189,  319,  356 

Haverhill,  Mass 82,  177 

Harrytown 540 

Hebron 74,  81 

Hebron,  Conn 424 

Henniker 35,  189-195 

Hill 195-203,  230 

Hillsborough 203-212,  543 

Hinsdale .212-226 

Hogstye  Cove 714 

Holderness 226-230 

Hollis 231-252,  291,  411,  586 

610-612,  626 

Hooksett, 25,  252-255 

Hopkinton 195,  255-273 

Hopkinton,  Mass 256 

Huckens’s  brook 15 

Hudson.  . . .273-288,  414,  429,  467 


INDEX. 


773 


Indians. . .5,  18,  214,  227,  256,  268 
269,  273,  292,  306,  309,  310,  330 
344,  351,  414,  542,  616 


Ipswich,  Mass 732 

Island  Pond 85 

Isle  au  Hooksett 253-255 

Jackson 288-291 

Jaffrey.  .158,  291-303,  314,  522,  767 

Jefferson 303-306 

Jerry’s  Point 671 


Keene 18,  22,  24,  142,  306-324 

566,  767 

Kensington 130,  135,  324-330 

Kilkenney 304,  351 

Kingston 83,  87,  99,  102,  106 

330-350 

Laconia 581 

Lancaster  304,  351-361 

Landaff 361-367,  405 

Langdon 367-369 

Leavittstown 595 

Lebanon 162,  170,  171,  175 

369-389,  405,  504,  507 
Lebanon,  Conn 159,  369 

Lee 390-395^  594 

Leicester,  Mass 342 

Lempster 46-48,  396-403 

Lexington,  Mass 181,  239,  459 

Lincoln 229,  361,  366,  404 

Lisbon 361.  404-414 

Litchfield  ..  .273,  414-424.  550,  643 

Little  Harbor 110,  682 

Littleton  . . .355,  357,  363,  424-428 

Littleton,  Mass 239 

Londonderry .87,  189,  273,429-485 

540,  548 

Lotteries 32,  72,  124,  125,  223 

312,  340,  560,  693,  696,  699,  747 

Loudon 485-492 

Louisbourg. . 141, 288,  341,  343,  686 

Lunenburg,  Mass 291 

Lyman 363,  492-500 

Lyme.  ...74,  78,  160,  162,  501-508 

Lyme,  Conn 572 

Lyndeborough 61,  62,  158 

509-536,  606,  742,  767 
Lyndeborough  Addition.  ...61,516 

Lyndeborough  Gore 527,  535 

Lynn,  Mass 683 

Madbury 536-540 

Manchester 25.  540-566 


Mansfield,  Conn 159,  387 

Marlborough 158,  299,  307,  522 

566-572,  767 

Marlborough,  Mass 189,  566 

Marlow 23,  399,  572-577 

767 

Martin’s  Ferry 254 

Martin’s  Location 289 

Mascoma  Mining  Co 369 

Mason. . t 58,  236,  522,  577-581,  742 

767 

Mason’s  hall 671 

Masonian  proprietors..!,  18,20,  25 
189,  195,  203,  256,  291.  479,  509 
513,  540,  543,  566,  572,  577,  594 
617,  621,  635,  666,  730 
Massachusetts  soldiers. . . . 102,  141 

Meredith 8,  269,  581-585 

Meriden 56,  60 

Merrimack 239,  586-594 

Middletown..  .5,  7,  9,  291,  594-603 

Mile  Slip 234,  235,  519,  603 

Milford 509,  603-609 

Minerals i,  49,  340,  369,  493 

Monadnock  No.  2 201,  203 

No.  5 567 

No.  6 635 

Monroe 493 

Monson 246,  593,  609-616 

Mont  Vernon 509 

Moultonborough 8,  616-622 

Moultonbough  Gore 616,  706 

Mount  Independence 198,  266 

267,  462 

Mystic,  Mass 683 


Narragansett  No.  5 586 

Nashua 622-635 

Nashville 623 

Nelson 18,  23,  24,  205,  566 

635-642 

New  Boston 25,  32,  45,  513 

642-662,  767 

New  Boston  Addition 649 

Newbury 46,  396,  662-670 

Newbury,  Mass 424,  683 

Newburyport,  Mass 424 

New  Castle 72,  109,  670-701 

New  Chester 195,  230 

New  Durham 7,  9,  701-706 

New  Durham  Gore . . .701 

New  Hampton 230,  706-709 

Newington 66,  710-730 


774 


INDEX. 


New  Ipswich 158,  232,  522 

730-748,  767 

New  Market 288 

New  Marlborough 189,  190 

Newport 46,  396 

New  Salem 581 

Nora  way  pond 154 

Northfield,  Mass 212,  213,  223 

North  Hampton 99,  119,  122 

Northumberland.  180,  353,355,  364 

Norway  Plains 1 1 

Nottingham 273,  756 

Nottingham  West 273,  414,  419 

Nova  Scotia 343 

Odiorne's  Point 671 

One  Pine  Hill 233,  622,  630 

Orange 162,  163 

Orford 78,  177,  424,  507 

Oswego.  N.  Y 9O’  537 

Oyster  river.  ...  102,  103,  105,  107 

Packer's  bridge 66 

Packerstield . . . 18,  23,  24,  152,  158 
205,  307,  522,  735,  767 
Paper  currency,. . . .54,  93,  173,  183 
327,  479,  482,  487,  579,  580,  601 

Peekskill,  N.  Y 53 

Pelham 83,  451 

Pemaquid 104 

Pembroke 228,  258 

Pepperill,  .Mass 747 

Peterborough.. 61, 91,  152,  158,  205 
517,  522,  528,  543,  742,  767 
Peterborough  Slip...  158,  292,  300 

303.  522,  742 

Piercy 355 

Piermont 78,  80 

Pillory 1 17 

Piscataquog 541 

Plainfield.. . .59,  370.  388,  506,  507 

Plaistow 92,  345,  451 

Plymouth. 74,  78,  201,  230,  319,  359 
Polls  ratable,  returns  of.  ...10,  23 
40,  59,  149,  171,  199,  209,  228 
298,  321,  327,  352,  397,  422,  473 
521,  539,  540,  550,  580,  634,  639 

641,  655*  705 

Portsmouth.. . .64,  66,  99,  100,  288 
319,  320,  671,  722 
Post  route 319,  320 

Quakers 67,  137,  343,  758 

Quebec 460 


Raby...23i,  232,  236,  248,  604,  767 
Rhode  Island  expedition..  . .58,  69 
91,  203.  205,  268,  464,  538,  591 

. 703 

1 Richmond 567,  767 

: Rindge 158,  299,  314,  522,  735 

747.  767 

Rochester 12,  594,  715 

Rogers's  Location 289,  291 

j Roxbury 307,  635 

j Royalton,  Vt 52,  738 

[ Rumney 78 

; Rye 671,  697,  699 

i Saint  John,  N.  S 166,  413 

Salem 345,  451,  581 

Salem,  Canada 509 

Salem,  Mass 216,  240,  509 

Salisbury 106,  563,  564 

Salisbury,  Mass 134,  545 

Salt-works 340 

Sanbornton 7,  8,  563 

Sandown 330,  345,  451 

Sandwich 5,  9.  616,  620 

Sandy  Beach 671 

Saratoga,  N.  Y..  .58,  142,  390,  635 

653.  751 

Seabrook  . . .99,  130,  138,  150,  151 
Sec’y  of  state,  house  burned..  .437 

Sharon 578 

Small-pox. . 123,  142,  1 61,  31 1,  316 

317.  463 

Society  Land.... 61,  152,  154,  157 
517,  522,  526,  543,  649,  742 

Souhegan  East 586 

South  Hampton 130,  347 

Springfield 57 

Squamscot 64,  112,  113,  710 

Star  Island. 677 

Stark 351 

Stillwater 257,  295,  345,  569 

Stoddard. . 18,  20,  23,  24,  307,  572 

574.  635 

Stratford 352,  355 

Stratham 64,  264 

Sullivan 18,  24,  307,  635,  637 

Sumner's  Bound 389 

Sunapee 46,  47,  396 

Surry 18,  23,  573,  767 

Swanzey 307,  566,  567 


Tam  worth 5,  7,  9 

Taverns 444 


J 


INDEX. 


775 


Taylor’s  river 130 

Temple 158,  205,  509,  522 

534-536,  735»  742 

Thornton 359 

Thornton’s  Ferry 239,  414 

Ticonderoga..52,  228,  232,  371, 418 

463,  643 

Timberlane 82,  85 

Townsend,  Mass 578 

Treadwell’s  Location 291 

Troy 566 

Tyng’s  farm 85 


Upper  Ashuelot 18,  306 

Upper  Gilmanton i 


Unity 46,  47,  83,  89,  396 


Valley  Forge 269 

Venter’s  brook 213 

Vernon,  Vt 213 

Vermont  controversy.  .57,  217,  319 

369.  378,  507 

Wakefield 7,  9 

Wall  Creek 64 

Walpole 367 

Warner 266,  267 

Warren 78,  177 

Washington 396,  568,  575 


Washington’s  guard 464,  496 

Washuke 760 

Watertown 618 

Weare 32,  35,  195,  649 

Wendell 46,  396 

Wentworth 75,  78 

Wentworth’s  Ferry 324 

Wentworth’s  Location. . . .289,  291 

Westbury,  Mass 404 

Westford,  Mass 18 

Westmoreland 18 

West  Point 465 

Whitefield 359 

Whitehall,  N.  Y 109 

White  Plain,  N.  Y 193 

Wilmot 196 

Wilton 158,  513,  522,  742,  747 

767 

Winchester 212,  213,  215,  223 

Winchendon,  Mass 747 

Windham 429,  448,  468 

Winnicumet 99 

Wire  factory 21 

Winter  Hill 35,  298 

Wolfeborough 8,  594,  598 

Wolves 292 


Yellow  Springs 269 

Yellow  fever ,269 


index;  to  names  of  persons. 


Abbott,  Abiel .518 

Abraham 737 

Benjamin..  .232,  252,  628,  630 

Daniel 253 

Ephraim 328,  516,  518 

George 73»  252 

Jacob 510,  747 

Joshua 253 

Joseph 253 

Josiah 656 

Kneeland 524 

N.  C 253 

Nathaniel 253 

Peter 347,  349 

Philip 253 

Samuel 566 

Stephen 253 

Abell,  Elijah 398,  402 

Phinehas 398,  399,  402 

Sylvester 400,  402 

Achilles,  Henry 668 

Adams,  Aaron 191,  192 

Asa..  153,  154 

Benjamin 336,  560,  723 

726-729,  734,  747 

Benjamin,  Jr 738,  743 

Caleb 97 

David 473,  479,  480,  629 

Dudley 727 

Ebenezer 744 

Ephraim.. . .275,  296,  579,  632 

634,  734,  740,  743,  745,  747 

Ephraim,  Jr 737,  738,  746 

Ezekiel  G 723 

Gideon 263 

Henry 275,  632,  633 

Jacob 634 

James.. 440,  449,  457"459,  4^0 

483,  656 


Adams,  John.  .8,  92,  289,  291,  619 

727,  738,  746 

Jonathan 24,  449,  453,  457 

458,  475,  479,  483 

Jonathan,  Jr 475,  484 

Jonas 300,  481,  764 

Joseph 337,  717,  727 

Joseph,  3d 727 

Levi 734,  764 

Moses 263 

Nathan  W 726 

Nathaniel 554,  555 

Paul 560 

Phinehas 275,  746 

Richard, 479 

Robert 449,  453,  457,  458 

Robert,  Jr 458 

Samuel 424, 479 

Silas 632,  744 

Stephen 734,  738,  744,  746 

Adams,  Thomas 275,  733 

William. . . .440,  443,  449,  452 
453,  464,  475,  479,  480,  483 

William,  Jr 449 

Winborn 345,  538 

Addison,  George,  28,  29,  31,  33,  36 

Thomas 526 

Aiken,  Daniel 484 

Edward 449,  452,  453 

Edward,  Jr 449 

James 449,  452,  457,  458 

472-474 

John  . .449,  452,  457,  458,  470 

472 

John,  Jr 449 

Nathaniel..  .440,  445,  449,  452 

457,  458 

Nathaniel,  Jr 449 

Nenian 195,  656 


778 


INDEX. 


Aiken,  William 

440,  449  , 

Ainger,  Jesse 

668? 

Ainsworth,  Laban... 

300,  303  ; 

Alden,  Daniel 

Aldrich,  Abraham... 

50.  51  i 

Andrew 

54  i 

Charles 

50,  51 

Nathan 

....50,  51,  55  1 

William 

50.  5^ 

Alexander,  Asa 

223  1 

Hugh 

477,  478,  481  i 

Jabez 

James 

John 224, 

434,  453,  481  i 

Jonas  

192,  454,  456  ! 

Mary 

477 

Reuben, Jr 

223  1 

Robert 

527,  649; 

Ronald 

434 

William 449,  453,  463,  475 

477,  478,  481  ! 

Zaccheus 

633  , 

Allard,  Job 

6| 

Shadrach 

9 

Alld,  David 

625,  634  1 

John 625, 

629,  632,  634 

Samuel 

548 

Solomon 

445 

William 

593 

Allen,  Abel 

25 

Daniel 

28-31,  65 

Darius 

386 

John 

..65,  480,  752 

Jonathan 

263,  265 

Jonathan,  Jr. . . . 

263,  264 

Joseph 

Phinehas 

386 

Reuben  

William 

697 

Rev.  William. . 

64 

Alley,  Daniel 

Ephraim 

Francis 

Allison,  Andrew 

Samuel 434, 

445,  452,  456 
459,  466,  548 

Samuel,  Jr 

445,  452 

Amazeen,  Christopher 697 

Ephraim 

.694,  696,  697 

John 

694 

Joseph 

697 

Joseph.  3d 

697 

Nathaniel 

697 

Amazeen,  William 697 

Ambrose,  Nathaniel 8,  6,  19 

Samuel 751 

Ames,  David 153,  154,  755 

. Jacob 154 

Jeremiah 77,  250 

Samuel 14,  480,  752 

Stephen 75^  77,  241 

Stephen,  Jr 76 

Amey,  Abraham 552 

George 552 

Amherst,  Sir  Jaifrey 288 

Amsden,  Noah 263 

Uriah 192 

Anderson,  Allen 435,  480 

Bartholomew 440 

Daniel 435,  481 


David,  445,  449,  456,  458,  480 
James,  440,  445,  449,  452,  453 


480 

James,  Jr 481 

John 440,  453,  480,  548 

John,  Jr 481 

Joseph 480 

Robert 440,  453,  480 

Samuel 440 

Thomas 457,  458,  475,  477 

478,  481 

William. . . .476,  477,  480,  483 

Andreas,  Philemon 398 

Andrews,  Benjamin 191 

Isaac 205-212 

Isaac,  Jr 206,  209 

Levi 468,  589 

Nathaniel 50,  55 

Perkins 209,  210,  212 

Solomon 204,  209-21 1 

Annass,  Benjamin 401 

Annis,  Charles 454 

Jesse 466,  481 

John 457,  458 

Samuel 27 

Apostle  Paul 725 

Appleton,  Francis 739,  744 

Isaac 733,  735-742,  747 

Apthorpe,  George 424 

Arbuckle,  Josiah 440 

Robert 440 

William 594 

Archer,  Benjamin 22 

Benjamin,  Jr 312 

John 518 

Jonathan 312 


INDEX. 


779 


Arbuckle,  Michael . . . 

194 

Avery,  Simeon 

507 

Archibald,  Arthur. . . 

457 

Ayer,  Joseph ; . . 

David 

440,  450 

Phinehas 

758 

John 

440,  481,  548 

Richard 

253 

Robert 

450,  457,  458 

Samuel 

Samuel 

449 

Ayers,  Christopher.  . 

450 

Thomas 

464 

Edward 

66 

Armour,  Andrew 

454 

Elijah 

Gawn 

453 

James 

436,  437,  440 

Armstrong,  David. . . 

452 

Job 

John 

452 

John 

73 

John, Jr 

452 

John, Jr 

73 

Robert 

684 

Joseph  

Arnold,  Benedict . . . 

460,  505 

Joshua 

7G  73 

Jacob  

39^ 

Mark 

Arwine,  James 

Obediah 

85 

Ashley,  Daniel 

Samuel 72, 

400,  552,  589 

Henry 

Samuel,  Jr 

John 

399 

Thomas 

Samuel 

William 

....437,449 

Aspinwall,  Zalmon. . . 

372 

William,  Jr 

449 

Atherton,  Joshua 

704 

Atkinson,  George..  . 

.398,  420,  622 

Babb,  Israel 

392 

Theodore. . .134, 

160, 

178,  215 

Babbitt,  Nathaniel.  . 

174 

303. 

424,  683 

Babson,  Isaac 

263 

Thomas 

527 

Bachelder  (see  Batchelder). 

Attkinson,  Theodore,  108, 

109,  678 

Bachellor  (see  Batchelder). 

679 

Bacon,  Jacob 

309 

Atwill,  John 

Badger,  David 

521 

John  Jr 

John 

James .93,  94 

John 83,  94,  97 

John,  Jr 93 

Moses 93,  94 

Samuel 668 

William 287 

Austin,  Benjamin 252 

Nicholas 597,  598,  600 

Thomas 234 

Averill,  David 516,  518,  524 

Ebenezer 606,  689 

Elijah 609 

Avery,  Benjamin 4 

Jabez 399 

James 361,  404,  424 

John 6,  239,  399 

Jonathan 5 

Joseph 4,  12 

Josiah 5,  14 

Nathaniel 67 

Samuel 4,  5 

Samuel,  Jr 4 


Joseph,  Jr 6,  14,  15,  17 

Joseph,  3d 14 

Peaslee ii,  12 

Robert 512,  524 

Stephen 346,  349 

Thomas 393 

William i 

Bagley,  David 263,  488,  489 

Enoch 491 

Orlando 335 

Bailey,  Abraham 296,  314 

Capt 193 

Jacob 504 

James 504 

Jasher 294 

John 480 

Jonathan 71,  73,  320 

Jonathan,  Jr 73 

Samuel 375“38o,  386 

Bayley,  Aaron 251 

Amos 271,  272 

Daniel 247,  612 


INDEX. 


780 


Bayley,  Daniel,  Jr 247, 

Ebenezer 

Jacob 342,  409, 

James 64, 

Joel 247, 

John 229, 

Joshua.. 84,  256-259,  266, 

Levi 271, 

Richard 

Solomon 

Stephen 

Timothy 

Baker,  Amos 738,  743, 

Andover 

Benjamin. . .548,  550,  662, 

Benjamin,  Jr 548, 

Charles 599, 

Elijah 

Gideon 377,  379,  380, 

Jesse 548,  663, 

Joel 738,  744. 

Jonadab 

Jonas 355,  557,  359, 

Joseph 

Nathan 

Nathaniel 552, 

Thomas,  22,  321-323,  571 , 


Balch,  Benjamin 

Isaac 61 

Israel 61 

John 312, 

Timothy . . . 

Baldwin,  Col 193, 

Ebenezer 

Heth 

Jabez 355,  375, 

John 168, 

Loam  mi 

Rufus 372,  379, 

Rufus,  Jr 

Samuel 

Ball,  Joseph 

Nathaniel 76 

Ballard,  Sherebiah 

Bancroft.  Asa 

Ebenezer 

Thaddeus 

William 

Bangs,  Joshua 5 

Barefoote,  Walter 

Barker,  Ebenezer 


251 

650 

537 

187 

251 

409 

267 

480 

272 

246 

271 

.84 

407 

746 

229 

668 

668 

600 

323 

386 

668 

746 

572 

360 

744 

668 

557 

599 

600 
312 

> 63 

> 63 

319 

320 
420 
507 
355 
377 
169 
561 

384 

384 

384 

435 
, 80 

379 

223 

223 

223 

223 

. 13 

761 

280 


Baker,  Eliphalet 399 

John 6,  480 

Joshua.  351 

Moses 589 

Philbrook 392 

Theophilus 534 

William 418,  638 

Barkley,  Robert 497 

Barlow,  Abner 505 

Barnard.  Joseph 265 

Stephen 349 

Barnes,  Elisha 263 

Joseph 418,  591 

Silas 190 

William 31 1 

Barnet,  James 453,  480 

John. . .434,  436,  437,  443,  452 
453^  458,  461,  472 
John,  Jr 452,  458 


Moses,  434,  441,  445,  448,  453 

456*  459 

Robert,  446,  447,  452,  453,  465 

466 

Barney,  Aaron 49,  51,  56 

Jabez  B 50-52 

Martin 55 

Barr,  James.  . .28,  29,  31,  737,  744 

James,  Jr 28-31 

John 454 

Samuel 194,  263,  440,  44; 

447,  456,  457,  543,  548 

Barrett,  Amos 154,  155 

Charles 154,  155,  734,  737 

739,  740,  747,  748 


Elihu 

Isaac 

James. . . . 
James,  Jr. 

Joel 

John 

John,  Jr.. 
Jonathan. 
Moses. . . . 
Moses,  Jr, 

Philip 

Silas  .... 
Simeon.  . 
Thomas. . 
Winthrop 
Barron,  John. . 
Nathan  . . 
Samuel. . . 
William. . 


216 

...  .216,  217,  281 
239,  281,  446,  468 

281 

281 

224 

224 

217 

28 1 , 446.  468,  548 

' 281 

216,  217 

216,  217 

281,  468 

154, 281 

13 

503 

503 

522 

512,  581,  592 


INDEX, 


781 


Barry,  Benjamin 764 

Thomas 293 

Barter,  Henry 5 

John 596 

Bartlett,  Daniel 744 

Doctor 75 

Enoch 180 

Evan 77,  81 

George 346,  350 

Gideon 754 

Isaac 350,  738,  743 

Jeremiah 344 

John 84 

Jonathan 77.  81 

Josiah..98,  138,  330,  348,  391 

393 

Nathaniel 198,  224 

Noah 744 

Pelatiah 76 

Richard 554,  555 

Samuel 737,  744 

Seth 346 

Thomas 230,  394,  751 

Bartley,  Robert 480 

Basford,  Jonathan 192 

Joseph 386 

Bassett,  John 44 

Batchelder,  Bachelder  & Bachellor. 
Abraham. ..  13 1,  485,  487,  488 

489 

Archelaus 609 

Benjamin 107 

Breed..- 241,  636,  638 

640 

Daniel 349,  487 

David. . 125,  140,  143,  147,  148 

151,  349 

Ebenezer 335,  338 

Elisha 346 

Francis 336 

Henry 1 16,  1 18,  1 19,  129 

Isaac 12 

James 129 

Jeremiah.. 326,  328,  329 

Jethro 485,  488-490 

John  . .115,  127,  129,  133,  326 

329.  399 

Joseph,  1 17,  129,  131,  136,  146 
487,  512,  518,  528,  743 
Josiah,  129,  131,  136,  329,  332 

335.  350,  393.  747 
488,  489 

533 


Batchelder,  Bachelder  & Bachellor. 

Nathan 332,  335,  338,  348 

489,  492 

Nathaniel  ..103,  114,  115,  345 
348,  489,  512,  516,  522,  533 
Nathaniel,  Jr. ...  1 14,  1 15,  488 
Phinehas...  .332,  335,  347,  670 


Reuben 512 

Ruth 640 

Samuel 129,  216 

Samuel,  Jr 121 

Simon 326 

Stephen 108,  109 

Theophilus 131 

Thomas. ...  1 12,  117,  488,  489 

Timothy 487,  491 

William 487-489 

Bates,  Jonathan 76,  77 

Joseph .300,  303,  734,  737 

Batson,  Nathaniel 696 

Stephen 695-697 

Stephen,  Jr 697 

Battis,  Sampson 757 

Battishall,  Jonathan . .715,  71 7,  718 

Bean,  Benjamin 753,  754 

Caleb 13 

Daniel 56,  332 

David II,  12 

Edward 14 

Jeremiah 346 

John 4,  13,  755 

John,  Jr 12 

Joseph,  Jr 336 

Joshua 4 

Josiah 9 

Jude 4,  13 

Levi 14 

Peter 13 

Samuel 332,  336 

Simeon 4,  9.  12 

Stephen 412 

Beary,  Ebenezer 699 

Jacob 698 

Merefield 699 

Nathaniel 698 

Richard 698 

Beard,  Elijah 209,  210,  212 

Jonathan 174 

Simeon 442 

Beaty,  William 548,  656 

Beckley,  Lawrence 481 

Beckwith,  Jabez 397~399,  403 

Joseph 399 


Lebe 

Moulton 


INDEX. 


782 


Beckwith,  Nathaniel 48 


Niles 

,398,  400,  403 

Bedell,  Moody 

181,  184,  418 

Beebe,  Noah 

25 

Thomas 

Timothy 

Beede,  Bezabel 

13 

Daniel,  Jr 

9 

Jonathan 

342 

Rezia 

349 

Belcher,  Jonathan. . . 

131 

Belding,  Elisha 

Titus 

311 

Belknap,  Joshua 

William 

407 

Bell,  Abednego 

.694,  696,  697 

Andrew 

5C3 

Benjamin 

694 

Benjamin,  3d. . . 

694 

Frederick 

704 

George 

697 

John... 33,  440, 

449,  457,  459 

464,  469,  473, 

4^3’  503’  507 
548 

Jonathan 

...33’  38,  44 

Joseph 436, 

437’  452,  458 
489,  696,  697 

Joshua 

35 

Matthew 

Matthew,  Jr 

694 

Meshach 

Meshach,  Jr 

694 

Meshach,  3d. . . . 

694 

Robert 

437 

Sampson 

.694,  696,  697 

Samuel 

507 

Shadrach 

,694,  696,  697 

Shadrach,  Jr . . . . 

696 

Thomas..  . .685,  690,  691,  694 

696,  697 

William..  .27,  33 

35’  503’  554 

William,  Jr 

503 

Bellows,  Benjamin.., 

.214’  314’  317 
573 

James 

386 

Bennett,  Abel 

355 

Arthur 

Henry 

Jeremiah 

487-489 

John, Jr 

14 

Jonathan 

153’  154 

Phinehas 

...73,  74,  249 

Phinehas,  Jr 

249 

Bennett,  Stephen 5,  153,  154 

Tilton 196,  197,  199,  201 

William 13,  199,  201 

Benton,  Stephen i68,  173 

Berry.  Ephraim 490 

Francis  73 

Isaiah 71 

James 65,  68 

Jeremiah 698 

John 109,  1 12 

Joseph 65 

Joshua 68,  490 

Levi 698 

Nathaniel 65 

Solomon 698 

Thomas 67,  71 

Thomas,  Tr 67,  71,  73 

William 68,  61 1 

William,  Jr 68 

Betton.  James..  .450,  452,  455,  553 

588 

Samuel 656 

Bickford,  Aaron 395 

Andrew 602 

Dependence 713 

Dodavah 711 

Edmund 518 

Eli 490 

Ephraim 13 

Ichabod 726 

Jethro 713 

Jethro,  Jr 717 

John 1 10 

Jonathan 60a 

Joseph,  516,  518,  598,  599,  710 

Joshua,  Jr 697 

Lemuel 713,  717 

Micah 391 

Micajah 395 

Paul 15 

Rannah 391,  392,  395 

Samuel 229,  393 

Thomas 265,  71 1,  717 

Bigelow,  Asahel 358 

John 25 

Silas 747 

Bigsford,  Thomas .266 

Bill,  Ebenezer 24 

Billings,  Elkanah 503 

Stephen.. 379’ 3^9 

Bingham,  Calvin 48,  398,  401 

Daniel 40a 

Elijah 398,  399 


INDEX. 


783 


Bingham,  Harris 398,  400 

James. . .47,  48,  398,  399,  402 


403 

Jabez 171,  173 

Jonathan 386 

Roswell 398 

Silas 398 

Thomas 379 

Vine 398,  401 

Binney,  John 744 

Sarah 287 

Bird,  Samuel 275 

Birdet,  Ebenezer 24 

Bishop,  David 216,  217,  225 

Josiah 407 

Seth 219 

Bixbee,  Andrew 204,  207-2  ii 

Andrew,  Jr 204 

Bixby,  Daniel..  .419,  424,  591,  649 

Jonathan 507 

Thomas 424 

William 424,  591 

Black,  Edmund 484 

Blair,  Alexander., 479 

David 229,  480 

Hugh 644 

James,  440,  445,  449,  453  459 
John. . .436,  437,  440,  644-647 


S.  L 229 

William 453,  645-647,  656 

764 

Blaisdell,  Enoch 335 

Ezra 491 

Harvey 487,  490 

Henry 27,  40,  41 

John 343 

Jonathan 335 

Oliver 487,  490 

Ralph 332 

Samuel 13,  515,  518,  524 

William 140,  146 

Blake,  Christopher 140 

Daniel 326 

Ebenezer 6 

Elijah 22,  309 

Elisha 329 

Elisha,  Jr 329 

Francis 6 

Henry 147,  148,  264,  271 

Hezekiah 329,  346,  348 

Israel 1 1 1,  230 

Jeremiah 147,  148 

Jeremiah,  Jr 149 


Blake,  John 143,  230 

Jonathan 345-349,  363-366 

Joseph 22,  312 

Joshua 137,  147 

Josiah 326,  329 

Mark 708 

Moses Ill,  1 15,  328 

Moses,  Jr 326 

Nathan 117,  122,  308,  31 1 

399 

Nathan,  Jr 320,  322 

Obediah 309 

Oliver  S 199,  708 

Paul 328 

Philemon 107  114,  115 

Philemon,  Jr 329 

Rial 312 

Robert ' 309 

Samuel 1 14,  1 15,  127 

Sanborn 349 

Simeon 128 

Thomas 373 

Timothy 1 12,  114 

Timothy,  Jr 13 1 

Blanchard,  Aaron 216 

Ahimaaz 709 

Augustus 245 

Benjamin 754,  755 

David 755 

Edward 756,  757 

James. 755 

Teremiah 626,  620 

Joel 754 

John 253,  625,  629 

Jonathan 20,  182,  587,  754 

Joseph 122,  275,  292,  416 

513.  559>  566,  586,  593,  623 

625,  730,  758 

Jotham 606 

Peter 757 

Richard 755 

Simeon 235,  744 

Simon 606,  609 

Stephen 604,  606,  609 

Stephen,  Jr 606,  609 

Thomas 275,  629,  632 

Thomas,  Jr 629,  632,  634 

William 234 

Blaso,  Thomas 67 

Bliss,  Azariah 372 

Azariah,  Jr 372 

Ebenezer 375,  377 

Isaiah 372 


INDEX. 


784 


Bliss,  Jonathan 18 

Joseph 184,  185 

Levi 23 

Blodgett,  Archippus 355 

Asahel 287 

Benaiah 287 

Benjamin.  . . 419,  591 

Daniel 419,  591 

David 579 

Elijah 355 

Jeremiah 275,  287 

Jonathan 287 

Joseph 281,  287 

Joseph,  Jr 287 

Joshua 419,  552 

Josiah 355 

Nathan 386 

Newcomb 355 

Oliver 634 

Phinehas  W 287 

Samuel 27,30-36,  39,  541 

557.  560 

William 554 

Blood,  Ebenezer,  Jr 578 

Elnathan 233 

Elnathan,  Jr 247 

Francis 252,  747 

Joseph 578 

Lemuel 244 

Levi 25 

Nathaniel 77 

Nathaniel,  Jr 77 

Reuben 244 

Samuel 744 

Solomon 75 

Timothy 70,  77 

William 77 

Blunt,  Ephraim 487 

Ephraim,  Jr 487 

John 700 

Rev.  John ....684,  696 

Robert 697 

William 518,  528 

Bly,  William 393 

Boardman,  Benjamin 201,  202 

Elias 201,  202 

Bodge,  Benjamin 14,  392 

Francis ,392 

Josiah 393 » 395 

Samuel 540 

Bogel,  David 437 

Joseph 437 

Thomas 434,  437 


Bolster,  Nathan 24 

Bolton,  Hugh 435 

Bond,  Ammi 480 

Gilbert 480 

John 12,  86,  87,  92,  480 

Dr.  John 84 

Jonathan 480 

Joseph 480 

Bonner,  John 245 

Boody,  Robert 9,  61 1 

Booth,  Epraphrus 398 

Freegrace 398,  400 

George 204,  206,  208-211 

Jonathan 400 

Joshua 398 

Oliver 398,  400 

Oliver,  Jr 398,  400 

William. ..  .204,  206,  208-211 

Bootman,  Nathaniel 656 

Thomas 350 

Boulter,  Nathaniel 759 

Boutwell,  James 512,  524,  525 

Bowers,  Jerathmeel 76,  77,  81 

244 

Oliver 246,  252 

Oliver,  Jr 252 

Bowen,  Jeremiah 366 

William 51 

Bowman,  Abather 192,  194 

David. . . 263 

Jonas 35,  190-194 

Boyd,  Alexander 480 

Joseph 453 

Nathaniel 548 

Robert 449,  458,  648 

Samuel 44,  548,  654 

Thomas 13 1,  480 

William_ 449,  453 

Rev.  William 429 

Boyes,  Alexander 480 

James,  434,  449,  472,  479,  480 

548 

James,  Jr 461,  480 

James,  3d 461,  472 

John 484 

Joseph 436,  437,  454,  646 

Robert,  430-434,  445,  449,  452 
454,  472,  480,  643,  646 

Samuel 451,  480 

Samuel,  Jr 480 

Thomas 440 

William 646,  648,  652 

Boynton,  Abram 252  . 


INDEX. 


785 


Boynton,  Amos 737,  738 

Asa 184 

David 585 

John 25,  237,  265,  628,  709 

Richard 606,  609,  709 

William 335,  487-492,  709 

Bracebridge,  Edward 729 

William 729 

Brackett,  George 72 

James 72,  393 

Dr.  James 391,  392 

Joseph 355-359>  393 

Joshua 68,  71,  72 

Dr.  Joshua 538 

Thomas 67 

Bradcest,  Simon 453 

Bradbury,  Ephraim 664 

John 13 

Sarah 285 

Thomas 100,  10 1 

Winthrop 556 

Braddon,  John 677 

Bradford,  Andrew 609 

Eliphalet 208,  210,  212 

John 606,  609 

Joshua 13 

Samuel 204-21 1,  656 

Samuel,  Jr 206 

Timothy 204,  206 

William 472 

William,  Jr 472 

Bradley,  Jonathan  ..  .279,  280,  287 

Joseph 287 

Timothy 253 

Bradshaw,  John 415,  416 

Braley,  Samuel 51 

Brainard,  Jabez 398,  400,  403 

Israel 751 

Shubael 399 

Urijah 398,  399 

Brattle,  Thomas 231 

William. ..  .213,  240,  241,  279 

Breed,  Allen 737,  738 

Dr.  Nathaniel 636,  637 

Brenton,  William 414 

Brewer,  James 570 

Peter 642 

Brewster,  Ebenezer. . 171,  173,  175 

David 548 

Isaac 450,  457,  459,  548 

Brian t,  John 298 

Joseph 744 

Kendall 732,  734 

52 


Brickett,  John 93 

Bridges,  Sarah 604 

Bridgman,  Abel 169 

Gideon 76 

John 174 

Briggs,  Eliphalet 22 

Elisha 224,  312 

Nathaniel 312 

Brigham,  Asaph 297 

Brintnall,  George 637 

Broadneck,  William 453 

Brock,  John 71 1 

Brockway,  Woolston 25,  574 

Brooks,  John 737,  738 

Samuel 184,  185 

William 252 

Broughton,  Abijah 507 

William 169 

Brown,  Abraham 112 

Benjamin 1 13,  326 

Benjamin,  Jr 326 

Caleb 328,  329 

Clark 235 

Daniel 128,  253,  338,  344 

Ebenezer. . .326,  702,  736,  747 

Edmund 1 31 

Edward 348 

Elijah 137 

Elinda 168,  169,  172 

Elisha 128 

Eliphalet 253 

Enoch 225 

Ensley 271 

Ephraim 386 

Israel 552 

Jacob 109,  III,  129,  131 

James. 92,  352,  355,  356 

Jeremiah 136,  490,  699 

Jethro 328 

Joel 172,  173,  175 

John.  .2,  92,  94,  97,  III,  127 

129,  131,  134,  137,  230,  253 
450,  550,  552,  638,  645-649 

656,  698 

John,  Jr 736,  738 

John,  4th 13 1 

Jonathan ...  128,  129,326,698 

Joseph 83,  III,  328,  329 

Joseph,  Rev 748 

Joshua 1 1 7,  337 

Josiah 1 17,  202,  329,  736 

738,  739.  751 

Josiah,  Jr 201 


INDEX. 


786 


Brown,  Moses 71,  93,  94,  127 

Nathan 127 

Nathaniel 348,  479,  480 

Nehemiah 318,  326.  347 

Philip 488,  489 

Samuel.. 83,  92.  97,  iii,  129 
234,  281,  589,  591,  656 

Samuel,  Jr 12 

Simeon 336 

Simon 125,  128 

Stephen 326,  328 

Stephen,  Jr 328 

Stephen,  3d 328 

Thomas.. 129,  131,  137,  168 
263,  335 > 645-649,  736,  738 

744 


Titus  O 358 

William.  . 1 1 1,  240,  241.  245 


253,  329,  668,  733 


Zaccheus 

Zachariah 

Zadpc 

Bruce.  Joseph 

Phinehas 

William 

Bryant.  Andrew. . . . 

Edmund 

John 

^larv 

128 

172 

357.  358 

357,  358 

93 

737,  738 

. .65,  603,  703 

Robert.. ....  . 

Robert,  Jr 

65 

Walter 

138,  416 

Buck,  Perlev 

17^ 

Bucknam,  Edwards. 

•3°5’  35L  353“ 
360 

Nathan 

309 

Buel.  Abraham.... 

76,  77 

Asahel 

77 

Buflum.  John 

56 

Jonathan 

Bugbee,  Amasa. — 

Nathaniel 

37L  373 

Bullard,  Asa 

732 

Ebenezer 

732,  744 

John 

746 

Joseph 

732 

Peter 

300,  746 

Simeon 

734 

Bullock,  Benjamin.. 

51 

Hezekiah 

Simeon 

Simon 

Bunker,  David 

395 

t 


] 


1 


Bunker,  James  G 393 

John 392 

Joseph 537 

Thomas 537 

Burbank,  Caleb 271,  272 

Enoch 480 

Ezra 480 

Gershom 751 

Moses,  Jr 752 

Samuel 281,  287 

Samuel,  Jr 281 

Burdoo,  Moses 303 

Burgan,  John 603 

Burgess,  Jonathan 9 

Burgoyne,  Gen.  John 167 

Burke,  Magnes 33 

Burkley.  Lawrence 558 

Burleigh.  Joseph 392,  395 

Josiah 392,  395 

Samuel... . . . 393,  394 

Burley,  Benjamin 6 

Stephen 6 

William 6 

Burnam,  Abraham 619 

Amos 349 

Billy 216 

David 609 

Ebenezer 393 

Israel 394 

James 515,  518,  524 

Jeremiah 606 

Jonathan.  .,  .23,  147,  148,  150 

Joshua 606,  609 

Nathaniel 516,  518,  524 

Offen 216 

Pike 67 

Stephen 315,  518,  524,  606 

609 

William 23 

Burnham.  George 599,  602 

John 484 

Joseph 265 

Joshua 393 

Joshua.  Jr 393 

Burns,  George.. 281,  285,  446,  607 

614 


John  . .607,  614,  61 5,  642,  647 

656 

John,  Jr 607,  614,  615 

Burnside.  James 355 

Thomas 355,  449 

Burpee,  Nathan 480 

Burroughs,  Josiah 468 


INDEX. 


787 


Burroughs,  William.. 

Burrows,  George 

453,  468 

Burt,  Amasa 

Jonathan 

Joseph 

404 

Robert 

273 

Bushe,  Benjamin 

398,  402 

Busiel,  Cornelius. . . . 

Elias 

346,  348 

William 

338 

Bussell,  John. ...196, 

198,  201,  202 

Moses 

349 

William 

332,  336,  349 

Buswell,  John 33,  44,  491,  558 

Joseph 

33,  39,  40,  44 

Nicholas 

6,  271 

William 

487 

Buzzell,  Aaron 

596.  603 

Elijah 

John 

603 

Jonathan 

. .6,  596,  603 

William ....  597, 

599,  601,  603 

William,  2d 

603 

Butler,  Elijah 

Gideon 

279,  280,  589 

John 

John,  Jr 

Jonathan  

516,  518 

Joseph 

446 

Ralph 

.131,  140,  146 

Richard 

513 

Thomas 

Tobias 

Valentine 

Butterfield,  Abel 

632 

Charles 

.625,  629,  634 

Ephraim 

.275,  625,  629 

Isaac 

152,  649 

John.. 28-33,  37.  38,  44^  625 
628,  632,  634 

Jonathan 

632,  633 

Joseph  

275 

Josiah 

Peter 

33,  38.  44 

Samuel 

. .64,  152,  649 

Thomas 

.625,  629,  632 

Widow 

27 

William 

417,  649 

Buttrick,  Francis 

235 

Cabot,  Andrew 

598 

John 

598 

Cairus,  James 

472 

Calcott,  Samuel 330 

Calder,  Robert 598 

Caldwell,  Alexander.  .76,  280-284 

287 

David 656 

James. 280,  283,  285,  287 

440-443,  472,  591,  648,  654 
655,  658,  662 


James,  Jr 435 

John 279,  280,  447 

Joseph 287 

Nathaniel 392,  395 

Samuel 195,  281,  283,  287 

593.  653 

Thomas 76,  282-285 

William 393 

Calef,  John 347,  349 

John,  3d 349 

Joseph 346 

Joseph,  Jr 346 

Samuel 347,  348 

Calfe,  John. 83,  91.  93,  96,  97 

Nathaniel 349 

William 338 

Call,  David 61 1 

Joshua 68 

Camp,  Israel 172 

Campbell,  Caleb 744 

Daniel 46,  660,  661 

David 424,  453 

Henry 454,  455,  589 

James 235,  445,  449 

James,  Jr 450 

Jesse 191,  194,  263 

Job 263 

John..  194,  263,  268,  452,  453 

589 

John.  Jr 195 

Phinehas 263 


Robert.. ..  192,  235,  440,  449 
472,  653,  656,  662,  732,  736 


738.  744 

Samuel 454,  466 

Thomas 449,  453 

William  452,  454,  589,  652,  656 

Canfield,  Samuel 399,  573 

Canney,  Isaac 540 

James 291 

Moses 540 

Card,  Henry 694 

John 694 

Thomas 694 

Carey,  Daniel 621 


;88 


INDEX. 


Eleazer 398 

Eliott 398 

Lazarus 743 

Oliver 398,  400 

Samuel 503 

William 397-400 

William,  Jr 400 

Cargill,  Daniel 430 

Carleton,  Jesse 736,  743 

Jeremiah 512,  521,  530 

Jonathan 93,  202,  203,  625 

Moses 744 

Nathaniel 288,  737 

Oliver 472 

Peter.. 366 

Stephen,  2d. 289 

Thomas.  . . .516,  518,  524,  606 

Carney,  John 540 

Carpenter,  Eli 507 

Carr,  Elliot 490 

James 1 12,  701 

John 253,  437,  475 

Joseph 755 

Simeon 253 

Carroll,  John 697 

Carsfoot,  Jacob 114 

Carson,  John 645,  649 

Carter,  Daniel 253,  752,  753 

Enoch 1 31 

John 253,  710 

Jonas 6 

Joseph 253 

Moses 253,  708 

Nathaniel 424 

Oliver 23 

Samuel 490 

Cartland.  Elijah 391,  393,  394 

Joseph 393 

Tobias 393 

Carruth,  James 348 

Carver,  Jonathan 219 

Case,  John 31 1 

Samuel 104 

Casey,  William 12 

Cass,  Amos 131 

John 1 14 

Jonathan 1 14 

Joseph 1 14,  1 15 

Nason 196,  201,  751 

Samuel 107,  1 14 

Caswell,  Joshua 51 

Nathan 424,  425,  427 

Nathan,  Jr 427 


Caswell,  Ozias 410 

Cate,  Andrew 71 

Enoch 708 

James 487 

Jeremiah 72 

John.. 65,  66,  452,  458,  472 

585 

Joseph 67,  73 

Joseph,  Jr 71 

Nathan 71 

Samuel 72,  488,  490 

Samuel,  Jr 490 

Stephen 488,  489 

William 71 

Cavender,  Charles 480,  527 

Chadbourne,  Benjamin 616 

Chadwick,  David 194 

John 194,  256,  269 

John,  Jr 263 

Joseph 194 

Chaffin,  Reuben 409 

Challis,  Ezekiel 350 

John 347,  348 

Thomas 350 

William 349 

Chamberlain,  Aaron 737 

Abiel 486,  488,  490 

Benjamin 185 

Daniel 709 

Ebenezer 708 

Ephraim 9,  489,  490,  708 

James 598,  600,  603 

John.. 503,  512,  596,  597,  601 

602 

Joseph 379 

Moses.. 223,  486,  489,  490,  603 

Nathaniel 485,  409 

Richard 178,  673 

Samuel 485-490,  512,  524 

Samuel,  Jr 486,  487 

Thomas 597,  598 

William 597,  601 

Chambers,  William 192,  263 

Champney,  Ebenezer 747 

John 744 

John,  Jr 744 

Chancy,  Stephen 566 

Chandler,  Daniel 172,  604 

David 168,  174,  606,  609 

Eliphalet 664 

Ezra 366 

Gardner 224 

Isaac 195,  257-259 


INDEX. 


789 


Chandler,  James 737-744 

Jeremiah 12,  758 

John 732 

Joseph 92,  664,  665 

Josiah 589 

Moses 350 

Samuel ...  744 

Thomas 253 

William 168,  306 

Zachariah 553 

Chany,  Daniel 357 

Chapman,  Edward 117 

James 1 12 

Job 68,  73,  118,  119 

John Ill 

Joseph 480,  589 

Richard 398,  400,  403 

Samuel 73,  in,  392,  394 

Chappel,  Daniel 398,  400 

Chase,  Benjamin 169,  173 

Betsey 583 

Charles 349 

David 329 

Ebenezer 591 

Elihu 328 

Henry 281,  287 

Isaac 287 

Jacob 456,  458 

James.  13,  487-489 

John.. .5,  84,  106,  137,  287,  328 

527,  696 

Jonathan.. 55,  58,  137,  168,  169 
265,  372,  377.  488,  489,  506 

751 

Joseph 93,  1 14,  419,  591 

Joshua 140,  146,  281 

Moses 265,  389 

Nathaniel 583 

Pratt 756 

Robert 424 

Samuel 265,  418,  422,  424 

591 

Samuel,  Jr 424,  591 

Simeon 418,  424,  591 

Stephen 281,  329,  589,  696 

Stephen,  Jr 281 

Rev.  Stephen...  .685,  686,  690 

695 

Stickney 400 

Cheney,  Daniel 457,  458 

David 81 

Elias 204 

Isaac 264 


Cheney,  James 458 

John 207 

Thomas 558,  566 

Tristram 207 

Cherry,  Samuel 460 

Chesley,  Andrew 291 

Daniel 392,  395 

Dennis 476 

Ebenezer 393 

John 394,  395 

Joseph 391,  393,  395 

Lemuel 392 

Nathaniel 291 

Samuel 392,  537 

Sarah 391 

Child,  Amos 24,  641,  642 

Jonathan 170,  503-508 

William 1 13 

Choat,  Ammi 9 

Benjamin 332 

Benjamin,  Jr 336,  338 

David 167 

Francis 733 

Jonathan 9,  332,  337,  338 

Christy,  James 453 

Jesse 434,  449 

Thomas .449 

Chubbuck,  Ensign 44 

Church,  Ebenezer 23 

Cilley,  Jonathan 701 

Joseph 166 

Claggett,  Edward 424 

Wentworth 591 

William 424 

Wyseman  . .242,  415,  419,  591 

Clapp,  Daniel 168,  171,  371 

Samuel 169 

Clark,  Alexander 481 

Amos 86,  92,  94 

Benjamin 192,  194,392 

Bunker 205,  763 

Cephas 312 

David 75,  484 

Elijah 251 

Enoch 14,  72,  73 

Enoch  M 73 

Ephraim 202 

Ezra 393 

George 450,  457 

George,  Jr .450 

George,  3d 450 

Greenleaf 67 

Isaac 31 1,  737,  738 


790 


INDEX. 


Clark,  Jacob 271 

James 440,  450,  480 

Jesse 312 

John  51,  1 13,  io6,  230,  336, 363 
449,  453,  454,  466,  480,  484 
507,  512,  548,  656,  664 

John,  Jr 366 

Jonathan 8,  366,  391,  603 

Joseph...  12,  73,  204,  271,  272 

Matthew 430,  449,  456,  458 

475,  480 

Nathaniel 44,  452,  656 

Nenian 648,  652,  656 

Peter.. .509,  512,  514,  530.  532 

Peter,  Jr — 656 

Remembrance 537 

Robert. .447, 453,  456,  480,  484 

646,  656 

Samuel.  ..14,  429,  450-458,  466 
479,  548,  603,  694 


Sarah 84 

Simeon 313 

Thomas. .86, 166,  168,  169,  440 

452,  457,  458,  633 

Thyohry 507 

Rev  Ward 330 

William. ...  154,  192,  481,  646 

647,  656,  694 

Wood 44 

Zeph 664 

Clamboul,  William 697 

Clary,  Daniel 737,  744 

David 744 

William. ..  .732,  738-740,  744 

Clay,  Benjamin 597,  598,  600 

Jonathan 598,  600 

Joseph 392 

Joseph,  Jr 392 

Luther 253 

Samuel  393 

Clayes,  Elijah 191,  205 

Cleaveland, John  ....198,  199,  201 

363 

John,  Jr 201 

Clement,  David 271 

James 33 

Moody 267 

Nathaniel 259 

Philip 37-45 

Richard 366 

Thomas 76 

Timothy 256,  260 

William 266,  756 


Clendinen,  Andrew 434,  445 


Archibald 

432,  434,  454 

David 

453 

James 

John 

John  H 

484 

Robert 451, 

466,  481,  484 

William 

434,  450  481 

Clifford,  Ebenezer. . . 

329 

Isaac 337, 

347,  349,  490 

Jacob 

. 104,  106,  1 12 

John 

•130  335-,  336 

John, Jr 

335 

Joseph II 

, 12,  329,  336 

Richard 

332,  335 

Samuel 

329 

Samuel,  Jr 

326 

William 

348,  488,  489 

Zacharias 

114 

Clogston,  John 

27,  31 

Clough,  Abner 4,  13,  487-490 

Benjamin 

194 

Caleb 

335 

Cornelius 

333.  336 

Daniel 

338 

David ...  .6,  13, 

194,  265.  271 

Ephraim 

754 

Henry 

754,  756 

Ichabod  

332,  335 

Isaiah 

13 

James 

.264,  271,  272 

Jeremiah 

.333,  488,  489 

John 394, 

395,  488,  489 

Jonathan  

.348,  487-489 

Jonathan,  Jr 

487 

Joseph  

487, 754 

Leavitt 

754 

Levi 

754 

Nathan 

326,  487 

Nathaniel 

393 

Nehemiah 

754 

Obediah 

338,754 

Oliver 

195 

Richard,  Jr 

754 

Samuel 

4, 13 

Theophilus 

335,  336 

Thomas 

271,  755 

Timothy 

William 

395,  497 

Zaccheus 

392 

Clyde,  Hugh 

452 

John 

452 

Joseph 

452 

INDEX. 


791 


Coburn,  Isaac 287 

Zachariah 442 

Cochran,  Abraham 644,  648 

Alexander 452 

Andrew 440 

Elijah 452,  472 

George 452,  466,  481 

Isaac  . .453,  457,  458,  475-480 

Isaac,  Jr . . .459 

James,  435,  449,  452,  456,  459 
466.  481,  644,  647 

James,  Jr 454,  648 

John... 419,  422,  434,  440,  449 
452,  457,  466,  484,  644,  647 
651,  653,  656,  658 

John,  Jr 459,  648 

Jonathan 452,  466 

Joseph. 229,  445,  449, 452,  457 

458,  656 

Moses 481 

Nathaniel 644,  648 

Nenian 437,  453 

Peter.  .434,  435,  437,  484,  644 
647,  652,  656 

Robert 434,  443,  481,  656 

Samuel 418,  419,  453,  477 


478,  481 


Samuel,  Jr 481 

Thomas 253,  435,  443,  452 

643,  644,  647,  651,  656 


Thomas,  Jr 

648 

William 434,  435,  452,  668 

Coffee,  Melchisedec. 

524 

Coffin,  Amos 

Enoch 

253 

Henry 

314 

Peter 

338 

Samuel 

752 

Simeon 

547 

Stephen 

125,  547 

Cofran,  John 

452 

Cogswell,  Jeremy..  . 

4.  5^  13 

John... 

366 

Thomas 

Colbath,  Benning. . . 

727 

Joseph 

727 

Joseph 

Colburn,  Andrew.. . . 

567.  569 

Asa 

372 

Benjamin 

247,  252 

James 

76,  81 

Jerahmeel 

Jeremiah 

.547,  626,  629 

Colburn,  John 373 

Nathan 247,  251 

Phebe 570 

Reuben 629 

Robert 247,  387,  612 

Robert,  Jr 247 

Thomas 622 

William 77,  612,  614 

William,  Jr 612 

Zaccheus 287 

Colby,  Abner 266 

Daniel 585 

David 457,  458,  481 

David,  Jr 459,  481 

Edmund 755 

Elijah 754 

Eliphalet 192  256 

Enoch 195 

Enos  346,  348 

Ephraim 253,  264,  265 

Humphrey 755 

Ichabod 350 

Isaac 256,  265 

John 27,  94 

Joseph 265 

Moses 267,  269 

Nathan 20  r,  202 

Nehemiah 264 

Philbrick 280 

Richard 27 

Samuel 755 

Thomas 350 

William 264 

Colcord,  Daniel 346,  348 

Ebenezer 337 

Samuel 108,  109.  332,  337 

709 

Cole,  David 591 

John 355 

Samuel 507 

Coleman,  Benjamin 729 

Eleazer 710,  712,  717 

John 729 

Phinehas 717 

Collins,  Benjamin 755 

Benjamin,  Jr 347,  348 

Daniel 1 17 

Ebenezer..  .269,  332,  335,  338 

418 

Jonathan 346,  349 

Joseph 314 

Joseph,  Jr 348 

Nathaniel 217 


792 


INDEX. 


Collins,  Richard 27.  346,  349 

William 349 

Colomy,  Richard 6.  704 

Colquhoun,  Peter 479 

Colton,  John  P 599 

Lemuel 58 

Samuel 419 

Stephen 58 

Thomas 599 

Ward 124 

William 599 

William,  Jr 599 

Combs.  Jonathan 275,  629 

John 276.  547 

Medad 626,  632,  634 

Comee,  Henry 335 

Conant,  Asa 223 

Benjamin 223 

Charles 223 

Ezra 224 

Joel 424 

Jonathan 373,  508 

Zebulon 744 

Cone,  Jonathan 751  j 

Conn,  Andrew 732 

Connick,  William 244 

Connor,  Elijah 326 

Jeremiah 413 

Jeremy 13 

John  T 269 

Jonathan 194,  265 

Joseph 94 

Philip 585 

Cook,  Daniel.. . .391,  492,  583,  596 

Ebenezer 315 

Jesse 389 

Joseph 595,  599-602 

Joseph,  Jr 603 

Moody 230 

Robert 599-602 

Samuel 230 

Silas 22.  213 

William 602 

Cooke,  Noah 322,  736 

Simeon 386 

Coolbroth,  Benjamin 717 

George 710,  713 

James 712,  713,  717 

Cooledge,  Nathaniel 204,  207 

Paul 208,  210,  213 

Uriah .208,  210,  21 1 

Cooley,  John 6 

Cooper,  Aaron 217,  219 


Cooper,  Benjamin 

347 

Elijah 

George 

764 

William 

Copp,  Benjamin 

Benjamin,  Jr 

David 

86 

Ebenezer 83,  92,  94,  69 

Joshua 

84 

Moses 

86 

Simeon 

William 

Corbin,  Thomas 

332 

Corev,  Hezekiah 

•732,  736 

Isaac 

375 

Corliss,  Joshua 

...27,  94 

Samuel 

Corning,  Benjamin 

Ebenezer 

558 

George 

John 

Joshua 

Costar,  Ebenezer 

33 

Coston,  Bishop 

.548,  551 

Cotton,  John 

Jonathan 

593 

Thomas 

.129,  698 

Rev.  Ward 124- 

-126,  130 

Couch.  Stephen 

185 

William 

1 14 

Cowen,  William 

592 

Cox,  Charles. . . . 229,  453, 

466,  485 

Charles,  3d 

Edward 

James 

230 

John 

Robert 

230 

William. . . .227,  229. 

453,  457 

458,  466,  629 

William,  Jr 

453 

Coxton,  John 

632 

Cove,  Stephen 

Vine 

Craig,  Alexander. . . .201, 

202,  437 
462 

David 201,  202, 

452,  456 

James 

John.  .33,  37,  39-45, 

434,  437 
440,  458 

Robert 202,  445,  452 

Thomas 445,  450,  452,  459 

466 

Thomas,  Jr 

459 

INDEX. 


793 


Crain,  Isaac 219 

Cram,  Benjamin.  1 1 1,  137,  521,  524 

Jacob 512,  607 

Rev.  Jacob 270,  272 

John 1 12,  758 

Jonathan. . .131,  137,  144,  I47 

148,  357,  358 

Joseph 104 

Nathan 140 

Nehemiah ....  147,  148 

Solomon 512 

Stephen 137,  140,  146 

Thomas 131,  136,  137 

Crane,  Dr.  John 161,  171,  173 

Crawford,  John 198 

Jonathan. ..  196,  198,  201,  202 


229 

Robert 196 

Thomas. 83,  197,  201-203,  ^^9 

Thomas,  Jr 196 

Cressey,  Andrew.. 61,  63,  513,  533 

Benjamin 267,  270 

Daniel 269 

Michael 220,  221 

Richard 264,  271,  272 

Cristie,  Jesse 154 

Cristy,  George. ..... .647,  650,  656 

Jesse 646,  651,  654-656 

Jesse,  Jr 656 

Thomas 656 

Critchett,  Benjamin 668 

Elias 393 

Crocker,  Andrew  S.. . 179,  183,  184 

David 379 

Gershom 21 

Crockett,  Joshua 8.  585 

Crombie,  James 453,  466,  656 

John  . .453,  456,  457,  466,  479 

Ji- 453 

Cromey,  John 435 

Crosbie,  Benjamin 585 

Thomas 1 14,  585 

Crosby,  Alpheus 300 

Anthony 1 1 1 

Jaasariah 77,  80 

Joel 732 

Jonah 732 

Joseph 300.  607,  609 

Josiah 609,  61 1 

Josiah,  Jr 609,  615 

Robert 732 

Samson 607 

Thomas 7 


Crosby,  William 

Cross,  Ephraim 

Ichabod 

371 

Isaiah 

Jesse  

755 

John 

755,  756 

Joseph  

Peter 

Ralph 

264,  271,  753 

Simeon 

198,  201,  202 

Thomas 

755 

Crow,  Jonathan 

58 

Crowell,  David 

John 

386 

Samuel 

Cud  worth.  Samuel... 

518,  526 

'rimothv 

527 

Cummings,  Andrew  . 
David 

453 

Doctor 

279 

Ebenezer 

.281,  283,  284 
629 

Eleazer 155, 

275,  277,  281 

288,  737,  743,  747 

Elisha 

...7.453,  708 

Elisha,  Jr 

Isaac 

453,  708 

John 153. 

235.  249,  416 

John, Jr 

153 

Jonathan 

547,  590 

Josiah 

Leonard 

417 

Nathaniel 

Reuben 

153 

Samuel. 234,  237,  241,  610,  628 

630,  738 

Simeon 

547 

William . .80,  81 , 

246-252,  281 
616 

Cunningham,  George 

28,  31 

Robert 

449 

William 

449,  457,  458 

Currier,  Abraham.... , 

.267,  271,  272 

Alvah 

Asa 

84 

Benjamin. . .192, 

194,  263,  366 

Charles 

13 

David 

28,  31 

Ezekiel 

93,  94 

Ezra 

345,  348 

Henry 

Isaac 

Jacob  

12,  93 

794 


INDEX, 


Currier,  Jeremiah 348 

John 263,  348 

Jonathan 753 

Joseph 93 

Reuben 271,  272,  754 

Rev.  Mr 28 

Samuel 93,  271 

Samuel,  Jr 93 

Sargent 264,266,  272,  366 

Thomas 6 

Curry,  Robert 754 

Samuel 227-229 

Thomas  757 

Curtice,  Benjamin 51 1 

Jonathan 174 

Joseph 488 

Curtiss,  David 167 

George 391,  392 

Israel 166 

James 355 

Jonathan 168 

Joseph 175 

Joshua 168 

Thomas 224 

William 355 

Zebina 169 

Curwin,  George 240 

Cushman,  Ephraim 366 

Joshua 174 

Cutter,  James 303 

John 734,  737,  738,  744 

Moses 300 

Nathan 303 

Richard 281,  286 

Seth 281 

Cutter,  Nathan 632,  634 

Zaccheus 420 

Cutting,  Daniel 570,  571 

Zebedee 507 

Cutts,  Samuel 497 

Dakin,  Amos 580,  766-768 

Justus 281 

Dale,  Hannah 309 

Dalton,  Josiah 128 

Michael 125,  698 

Philemon 1 1 1,  1 12 

Samuel 100,  761 

Timothy 1 16 

Tristram 424 

Dam,  Eliphalet 717,  726 

Issachar 726 

John 710-712 


Dam,  Moses 710,  712 

Richard 71 1,  1 17 

Dame,  Benjamin 727,  729 

Hunking 393 

Joseph  P 727 

Theodore 507 

Timothy 727 

Samuel 726,  729 

Valentine 71 

William 13 

Dana,  Burns 734 

Samuel 579 

William 369,  372-374,  379 

384,  385 

Dane,  Daniel 656 

John 528 

Danford,  Ezekiel 7 

Jeremiah 755 

Moses 491 

Samuel 756 

Danforth,  Anna 243 

Jacob 243,  487 

Jonathan.. . .208-21 1 , 247,  442 

Joseph 481 

Samuel 208-211 

William 419 

Daniels.  David 540 

Ebenezer 309,  31 1 

Jeremiah 755 

Pelatiah 537 

Samuel 309 

Danley,  Cornelius 626,  629 

William 632 

Danshe,  Hugh 453 

Darby,  Abijah 355,  357,  359 

Aseph 357 

Isaac 357 

Jonathan 507 

Simeon 507 

Darling,  Benjamin  B 266 

John 94,  335 

John,  Jr 335 

Moses 265 

Peter 264 

Robert 93 

Timothy 265,  266 

William 266 

Darrah,  Arthur 277,  453 

James 418 

Robert 419,  423 

Darte,  Eliphalet 25 

Joshua 21 

Thomas 21 


INDEX' 


795 


Davenport,  Thomas  W 

William 

D|avidson,  Alexander 

David 

George 

James 

John 

Josiah 

Robert 

Thomas 

William. . . .148,  446,  447, 
460,  475,  476,  589, 

Davis,  Aaron 391, 392, 

Abel 

Abraham 

Aquilla 

Asa 280,  284, 

Benjamin. ..  1 59,  168,  466. 

Clement 39C  393“ 

Danieh.65,  295,  552,  557, 

David 392. 

Edmund 1 54,  1 57, 

Elijah 737, 

Eliphalet 92 

Ephraim 392, 

James. .153-155,  392,  395, 

James,  Jr 39^~39S^ 

John  ..  .27,  346,  349,  391, 
472,  552,  602,  656, 

John,  Jr 392, 

Jonathan...  .154,  155,  734, 

Joseph 44,  198,  473, 

Josiah 84, 

Malachi 13, 

Moses 393,  552, 

Moses,  Jr 

Nathaniel 281, 

Obediah 

Philip 

Phinehas 346, 

Robert 

Samuel 46,  65, 

Samuel,  Jr 537, 

Silas 

Stephen 

Thomas 

Timothy 

Webster 

Day,  Benjamin,  Jr 

Ebenezer 308,  31 1, 

Isaac 515, 

John 

Pelatiah 


Day.  Robert 516,  518,  524 

Dealing,  Daniel 61 1 

Dean,  Benjamin  W 12 

Dearborn,  Abraham. 68,  71,  73,  755 

Benjamin 73 

Doctor 129 

Ebenezer 106,  108 

Edward 390 

• Henry. . 1 17-1 19,  128,  346,  349 

Henry,  Jr 349 

Isaac 291 

Jeremiah 116-119,  328 

John 73,  108,  no,  115,  118 

119.  755 

John  J 72 

Jonathan 1 14,  1 17,  128 

Jonathan,  Jr 1 1 7 

Joseph. 73,  1 19 

Joseph  S 127 

Josiah 1 25-1 27 

Levi 73 

Levi,  Jr 73 

Nathan 328 

Nathaniel  . .1 16,  346,  349,  755 

Reuben 1 17,  121,  125 

Reuben,  Jr 73 

Samuel.. . .68,  72.  73,  105-111 
116-121,  286,  329,  330 

Shubael 755,  756 

Simeon 72,  595,  6o[,  722 

Simon 1 18,  1 19,  598,  600 

Thomas. .68,  105,  108,  114,  121 

Thomas,  Jr 105,  108 

Decker,  John 710 

DeMarianville,  Charles 51 

John 51 

Demeritt,  Ebenezer 540 

Eli 540 

James 540 

Job,  Jr 537 

John 392,  540 

John,  Jr 540 

Jonathan 540 

Paul 540 

Robert 540 

Solomon 540 

Solomon,  Jr 540 

Stephen 540 

William 537,  540 

Denboe,  Cornelius 61 1 

Nathaniel 61 1 

Dennis,  Arthur 656 

Moses 158 


224 

216 

453 

481 

452 

300 

452 

698 

449 

460 

457 

698 

395 

,592 

398 

,263 

286 

491 

-395 

558 

395 

158 

738 

94 

491 

537 

537 

392 

710 

393 

737 

491 

737 

348 

757 

•392 

291 

•755 

•349 

349 

•253 

253 

539 

•738 

•736 

•537 

...9 

•349 

•503 

312 

518 

.312 

.640 


796 


INDEX. 


Dent,  John 343 

Dewey.  Benoni 171,  173 

Ebenezer 21 

Ebenezer,  Jr 21 , 22 

Elias 507 

Elijah 378 

Simeon 169,  1 71 

Timothy 23,  24 

William 168 

Dexter,  Caleb 407,  410 

David 92,  94,  97 

Joseph 407,  409,  498,  499 

Lemuel 407,  410 

Diah,  William 755 

Diamond.  Ephraim 548.  589 

Israel 346,  348 

Israel,  Jr 347,  348 

Dickey,  Adam. ..452,  453,  458,  589 

649 

David 566 

Ebenezer 480 

Elias 656 

James 649 

John..  ,452,  458,  480,  548,  552 
557,  558,  649,  650 

John,  Jr 558,  566 

Matthew.. . .461,  475,  480,  589 

Robert 452,  481,  548,  589 

Rose 235 

Samuel  ....  152,  436,  440,  446 

452 

W illiam.  . . .436,  440,  449.  452 
458,  480,  489,  647,  649 

Dimock,  Timothy 23 

Dinsmoor,  John 308 

Ruth 308 

Dinsmore,  Abraham 516,  518 

Gershom 217,  219 

James 459.  475,  479 

John.  .28,  29,  31,  33,  449,  453 

459,  472 

Robert 429,  449,  453,  472 

484 

William 449,  453,  459 

Disbrow,  Phi 676 

Dix,  Jonathan 252,  734 

Doack,  James. . .445,  452,  481,  484 

548 

John 452 

Dockham,  Enoch 492 

John 65 

Samuel 12 

Dodge,  Andrew 398 


Dodge,  Antipas 28,  29.  31,  472 

Benjamin 473 

Caleb 663 

Elisha 473,  653.  656 

Elisha,  Jr 473,  656 

Isaac 398,  480 

John 485 

Joshua 484 

Josiah 51 1 

Nathaniel 150,  656 

Nathaniel  H 140,  146,  150 

Nehemiah 653 

Nicholas 664 

Noah 656 

Samuel 656 

Simon 656 

Solomon 658 

William 668 

Doe,  David 702 

Elizabeth 702 

Dolbeer.  Nicholas 698 

Dole,  Benjamin 292,  296,  298 

John ' 292,  296,  298 

Dollolf,  John 708 

Samuel 707,  709 

Thomas 585 

Donaldson,  James.. . .452,  457,  458 

462,  480 

Donohue,  Geoffrey 466 

Donovan, John 652 

Doolittle,  Benjamin 224 

Oliver 216,  217 

Door,  Philip 71 1 

Dorman.  Elijah. ...  308 

Ephraim 22,  308,  310 

Douglass.  John 451 

Patrick 434,  440-452 

Dow,  Abraham 131 

Benjamin..  .4,  12,  27,  117,  329 

589 

Daniel 121,  129 

David 1 21,  129 

Ezekiel 133,  324,  326 

Henry.. 27,  102,  103,  104,  105 

106,  108,  109,  no 

Isaac 698 

Isaiah 128 

Jabez 105,  III,  1 15 

James 1 14 

Job 27,  33 

John 112,  127,  326 

Jonathan 12,  326,  392,  395 

709 


INDEX. 


797 


Dow,  Joseph. 27,  124,  125,  126,  128 

329 

Joseph,  Jr 27 

Josiah..ii2,  128,  326,  329,  391 

392,  393.  394.  395 

Lemuel 172,  174 

Moses 177,  182,  185,  186 

Nathan 329 

Nathaniel 6,11,  12,  328 

Noah 9,  II,  13 

Perkins 13 

Philip 326 

Reuben. . . . 127,  237,  242,  250 

Salmon 168,  1 72 

Samuel 103,  112,  127,  129 

Simeon,  Jr 272 

Simon 105,  129 

Thomas 1 12 

Winthrop 13 1 

Downer,  Joseph 372,  379,  380 

Moses 1 14 

William 369-380 

William,  Jr 375-380,  714 

Downing,  Bartholomew.. 727 

Harrison 717 

John  65,  120,  710,  714,  718,  729 
John,  Jr.  ...444,  713,  715,  717 

Jonathan 73,  140,  141,  717 

Joshua 71 1,  713,  727 

Josiah 710,  727 

Josiah,  Jr 717 

Palfrey 488,  489 

Richard 213,  717,  727 

Richard,  Jr 717 

Samuel 727 

Downs,  Henry 484 

Drake,  Abraham.  1 14,  345,  585, 709 

Abraham,  Jr 121,  708 

John 6,  125 

Nathaniel 1 14 

Robert 105,  in,  1 14 

Samuel 124,  127 

Draper,  William 61,  63 

Drew,  Aaron 603 

Daniel 597,  603 

Daniel,  Jr 603 

Elijah 540 

Ezekiel 540 

Isaac 595-600 

Jedediah 598,  600 

John.  .6,  7,  390,  395,  595,  597 

600,  603 

Joseph 490 


Drew,  Lemuel 490 

Levi 229,  709 

Robert 490 

Samuel 202,  490 

Samuel,  Jr 490 

Theophilus 5 

Thomas 463 

Drowne,  Peter 702,  705 

Drury,  Ebenezer 763,  768 

Duda,  Joseph 392 

Nicholas  392 

Dudley,  Abily 760 

Billy 663 

John 4,  10,  13 

Peter 13 

Stephen 4,  6,  13 

Stephen,  Jr 12 

Thomas 759,  760 

Dummer,  William 213 

Dunbar,  E 324 

Duncan,  Abraham. . .452,  457,  458 
George. 440, 449,  452,  456,458 
George,  Jr.. 452,  457,  458,  548 

Isaac 472 

James 155,  157,  452 

John..  1 54,  155,  434,  436,  449 

452,  457,  458 

John,  Jr 449,  452 

Josiah 461,  548 

I^obert 153,  154,  452 

Samuel 61 


William. 255,  449, 452,  457-459 

473.  548 


Dunalls,  Reuben 522 

Samuel 195 

Duncklee,  David 615 

Hezekiah 516,  518 

John 615 

Nathaniel 615 

Dunham,  Thomas 503 

Dunlap,  Ephraim 506 

Hugh 296 

John 28-31,  34 

Samuel 263 

William 28,  31 

Durant,  Jonathan 204,  206 

Samuel 281 


Durgin  & Durgan. 


David . . . , 
Elijah . . . , 
Josiah ... 
Josiah,  Jr 
Samuel. . . 


597.  598.  601 

265 

39  L 393-  395 
••392.  395 
393 


798 


INDEX. 


Durgin,  Susanna 

Winthrop 

Dunham,  John 

Durkee,  Abijah 

Hem" 

John 

'Thomas 164, 

Dustin,  Eliphalet 

Moses 

John 

Timothy 

William 

Duston,  Caleb 

James 

Dutch,  Georo;e 

O 

Jeremiah 

Dutton,  Asa 

Benjamin.  .206,  208, 


393 

6 

•434^  451 

172 

168 

.168,  172 
170-173 
453.  653 

268 

253 

566 

650 

471 

192 

•391-395 

393 

51S 

210,  21 1 


513 

Jacob 61, 63,  513,  533 

James 206-21 1 

John 206-211,  732,734 

Josiah 512 

William 512,  535 

Dwight,  Timothy 306,  566 

Dwinnell,  Abigail 141 

Amos 141 

Elijah 480 

George 550 

Thomas 480 

Dwyer,  Michael 228,  229 


Eager,  Fortunatus 358 

George 171 

Joseph 263 

Luke 203 

Eames,  David 252 

Jeremiah 353,356,  410 

Jeremiah,  Jr 355 

Thomas 355 

Eastham,  John  B 709 

Eastman,  Aaron 192 

Abner 328 

Amos 252,  632 

Benjamin.  . .328,  336,  347,  348 

David 489,  758 

Ebenezer 13,  333,  336 

Edmund 87,  93 

Edward 332 

Enoch 265 

Henry 264 

Ichabod  281 

Jacob 350 


Eastman,  James 264,  480 

John..  192,  256,  264,  270,  271 

342,  346 


John,  Jr 

Jonathan. .93, 

, 94,  192,  252,  632 

Joseph 

....270.  335,  336 

Joseph,  Jr . . . 

338 

Joshua 

93 

Nicholas  . . . . 

Obediah 

494 

Parson 

756 

Dr.  Peter. . . . 

..  .84,  86,  87,  94 

Samuel.  194,  267,  335,  336,  347 

348 

Simeon 

Stephen 

347,348 

Thomas 271,  272,  335,  338 

William 

Eaton,  Benjamin. 

86 

David 

Ebenezer.. . . 

Enoch 

27 

Ephraim . . . . 

Jabez 

347,348 

Jacob 

174 

J-  H 

64 

James 

....27,  33,  38-44 

James,  Jr. . . . 

44 

Jeremiah . . . . 

John. .91,  93, 

94,  267,  270,  271 

293,  294,  418 

Joseph  T . . . 

347,  348 

Joshua 

Nathaniel . . . 

Samuel 

43,  44 

Timothy  S.. 

328 

Eayers,  James  . . 

••••453,  479’  548 

Joseph 

William 437,  449,  452,  453 

479,  484,  548 

William,  Jr. . 

449 '484 

Edgerly,  David 4 


Ezekiel 

13 

John 

13,  539 

John, Jr 

5 

Jonathan 

4 

Paul 

540 

Samuel 

....540,  585 

Edgerton,  James 

368 

Edson,  Nathan 

507 

Edwards,  Brinsley  . . . 

Ephraim 

366 

Jonathan 

14 

INDEX. 


799 


Edwards,  Simeon 366 

William 13 

Eggleston,  Thomas 398,400 

Ela,  David 481 

Edward 481,  589 

Samuel 487 

Eli,  Edward 458 

Samuel 458 

Elkins,  David 4 

Ephraim 333 

Gershom 330 

Henry 143 

James 12 

Jeremiah 347,  349 

John 12 

Jonathan. ...  13,  106,  108,  iii 

Jonathan,  Jr 1 16 

Joseph 332,  338,  346,  350 

Moses 106,  108,  333 

Nathaniel 4 

Peter 346 

Samuel 698 

Thomas...  .117,  337,  346,  347 

343 

Thomas,  Jr 348 

Ellinwood,  Joseph.  . .515,  518,  524 

Joseph,  Jr 515,  518 

Elliot,  Andrew 697 

Benjamin 392,  393.  395 

Richard 391,  393,  394 

Robert 673 

Samuel 324 

William 452,  580 

Ellis,  Abner 309 

Benjamin 24,  307 

Edward 597 

Ephraim. ..  .599.  600,  602,  61 1 

Francis 61 1 

Gideon 308,  3 1 1 

Gideon,  Jr . 312 

Henry 312 

Joseph. 24,  308,  31 1,  597,  599- 

603 

Josiah 312 

Nathan 24 

Robert 600 

Samuel 457 

Simeon 24 

Timothy 307,  317,  321 

Timothy,  Jr 312 

William 307,  312 

Ellison,  Jacob 229 

Richard 754 


Elmer,  Hezekiah 216,  219 

Ozias 219 

Emerson,  Abijah 552 

Benjamin 84,  94,  247,  252 

Caleb 84 

Charles. 548,  550,  551,  557,  558 

Charles,  Jr 664 

Daniel 61,  250,  747 

Daniel,  Jr 126,  245,  251 

David 196-202 

Eleazer 27 

George 663, 

Hezekiah  48 

James. 271,  557 

Jeremiah 271 

John 271,  272 

Jonathan 8,  634 

Joseph 393 

Mark 12 

Micah 392 

Moses 265,  539 

Oliver 418,  664 

Peter.. 347,  349,  552,  558,  566 

Richard 466 

Samuel 245,  391,  392,  540 

Smith 391,  393 

Solomon 392,  537-539 

Solomon,  Jr 393,  540 

Thomas 247,  252 

Timothy.. . .246,  251,  271,  272 

^93 

Timothy,  Jr 246,  251 

Watts 94,  97 

Emery,  Dr.  Anthony 122,  123 

Benjamin 196,  199 

Clement 507 

Daniel 559, 

David  S 199 

John 197,  481 

Moses 93 

Noah 35,  138 

Richard 193,  542 

Samuel 559 

Thomas 92,  93,  97,  487 

William 300,  664,  668 

William,  Jr 664 

Emmons,  Benjamin ..  197,  198,  202 

John 348 

Joseph 27,  199,  200,  202 

Samuel 333 

English.  James 503,  507 

Epes,  Francis 61,  63,  512 

Erskine,  John 223 


8oo 


INDEX, 


Erving,  John 548 

Esmons,  Jacobet 287 

Estabrook,  Joseph 247,  462 

Nehemiah 369-374,  378 

Samuel 373 

Estey,  Isaac 312 

Joshua. 204,  207,  208,  210,  212 

Etheridge,  Stephen  G 6 

Evans,  Abner,  Jr 12 

Charles 219 

Daniel 5 

Eldad 217,  219 

John 217,  219,  224 

Peter 447 

Randall 379 

Solomon 540 

Tappan 263 

Uriel 217,  219,  222 

William 324 

William,  Jr 326 

Everdon,  John 224 

Everett,  Edward 198 

Fabyan,  John<  . .710,  714,  717,  727 

Samuel 712,  713,  717,  727 

Samuel,  Jr 727,  729 

Fairbanks,  Nathan 308 

Nathaniel 309 

Fairfield,  John 503 

Walter 501-504 

Walter,  Jr 503 

Fansher,  John 405 

Farley,  Benjamin 251 

Benjamin,  3d 252 

Caleb,  Jr 252 

Ebenezer 247,  251 

James 252 

Joseph 233 

Samuel ..  .73,  76,  77,  234,  235 

Stephen 251 

Timothy 80 

Farmer,  David 668 

Edward 281 

James 287 

John 64,  130,  231,  566,  671 

Jonas 44 

Joseph 550,  552,  594 

Joseph,  Jr 556 

Oliver 507 

Samuel 526,  614 

William 556 

Fanning,  Joseph  104.  107 

Farnham,  John 264 


Farnham,  John  S 269,  270 

Timothy .. ..259,  264,  267,  269 

270 

Farr,  Levi 738 

Nathaniel 737,  738 

Farrar,  Isaac 585 

Israel 13 

Jeduthan 14 

Jonathan 585 

Nathaniel 743 

Phinehas 570,  571 

Phineas,  Jr 567 

Stephen 585 

Rev.  Stephen 737,  747 

Timothy. . . .533,  737-74L  743 

747 

Farrington,  Ebenezer 526 

George 224 

Samuel 253,  265 

Stephen 253 

Farris,  William 737,  738,  744 

Farwell,  Edmund 738 

Isaac 737,  738 

Oliver 626,  629 

Timothy 737 

Favour,  Cutting.  195-197,  201,  202 

230,  751 

Samuel 345,  346,  349 

Faxon,  Christopher 392,  394 

Hunking 393 » 395 

Felch,  Phinehas 127 

Fellows,  Abner 197,  201 

Ebenezer 332,  335 

Isaac 326-329 

Jacob 202 

John 202 

Jonathan 329,  349 

Joseph 337,  338,  349 

Josiah 751 

Moses 202 

Nathaniel 349 

Samuel 76,  348 

Ferguson,  Alexander 442 

John 442 

Fernald,  Amos 392,  394 

Archibald 696 

Diamond 488 

John 695 

Samuel 695 

Ferren,  Ebenezer 33 

Jonathan 481 

Philip...  .27,  33,  39-42,  44,  45 
Timothy 27 


INDEX. 


8oi 


Ferson,  Henry.  . . 

644-647 

James. . . . 29, 

James,  Jr 

Paul 

31,  644-647,  656 
.29,  30,  647,  656 

William 

29,  31 

Flagg.  Asa 

Elijah 

737 

John 

Jonathan. . . . 

13 

William 

Flanders,  Abner. 

253 

Asa 

....342,  347,  348 

Daniel 

David 

76,  342,  347,  350 

Jeremiah . . . . 

Jonathan  . . . . 

• 12,  328 

Joseph 

5 

Micah 

253 

Nathaniel. . . . 

349 

Oliver 

253 

Onesiphorus. 

709 

Parker 

Richard 

253 

Thomas,  Jr . . 

11,  13 

Timothv 

Fleming,  Robert. 

223 

Fletcher,  Daniel.. 

754 

Ebenezer. . . . 

• 738,  744 

Elijah 

Ephraim  . . . . 

744 

Francis 732,  734,  737,  739 

740,  744 

Gideon 

74 

Gratia 

John.  .528,  6 

26,  629,  632,  634 

676 

John, Jr 

634 

Jonathan. . . . 

738, 744 

Joseph 

744 

Joshua 

751 

Ptiter 732,  737,  743,  745 

Philip 

. . .516,  518,  524 

Phinehas . . . . 

754 

Robert 

Samuel 

738,  744 

Seth 

99 

Simeon 

Thomas 732,  737,  744,  747 

Thomas,  Jr . . 

738,  744 

Flint,  David 

558,  566 

David,  Jr. . . 

558 

Edward 

85 

Jacob 

53 


Flint,  John 152 

Flood,  Benjamin 314,  315 

Humphrey 350 

John 147 

Richard 490 

Flynn,  Jacob 512 

Field,  John 338,  61 1 

Moses  D 25 

Robert  R 254 

Thomas 312,  322 

Fife,  Daniel 570 

Silas 570 

Fifield,  Benjamin. ...  103,  114,  253 

David 13 

Ebenezer 348 

Edward 107,  113,  335 

George 150,  1 51 

John 13,  332 

John,  Jr 337,  338 

John  C 346,  349 

Jonathan ...  1 14,  136,  140,  142 

146,  148 

Jonathan,  Jr 140,  146 

Joseph 104,  332,  337 

Nathaniel 75,  263 

Peter 346,  349 

Samuel 4,  13,  332,  337-339 

342,  348 

Stephen 489,  490 

William 100,  loi,  no,  253 

Fisher,  Aaron 309 

Daniel 223,  224 

Elias 400,  403 

Rev.  Elias 46-48,  403 

Ichabod 311,  315,  322 

James 650 

John 260,  662,  666 

Joseph 309 

Josiah 306-309 

Nathan 649 

Patrick 435 

Samuel. 309,  449,  456,  458,  649 

William 224,  450,  481 

Fisk,  Amos 184 

Eleazer 626,  629,  634 

Jacob 224 

Jonathan 533 

Fitch,  Ebenezer lyi,  173 

Fitzgerald,  Daniel 698 

John 92 

Fogg,  Abner 129 

Benoni 1 14 

Daniel 121 


802 


INDEX. 


Fogg,  James 105,  in,  114 

Jeremiah 329 

Jeremiah,  Jr 329 

Rev,  Jeremiah 324 

John 73,  124-126 

Samuel 106-109,  121 

Seth Ill,  1 14 

Seth,  Jr 114 

Simon 131 

Follansbee,  James 480 

Joshua 547 

Follett,  John 224 

Joseph 391,  393,  395 

Samuel 12,  395 

Thomas 71 1 

Folsom,  Asa 392,  393 

Daniel 4,  13 

David 13 

Enoch 391,  392 

John.  ...6,  14,  68.  69,  392,  560 

Jonathan 13 

Josiah 603 

Nathaniel 5,  149,  585 

Peter 1 1,  13 

Peter,  3d 1 1 

Samuel 325 

Theophilus 328 

William  1 559 

Foot,  Jacob 346,  348 

Footman,  John 394 

Forbes,  John 677 

Simeon 172 

Forsaith,  Robert 196,  198,  751 

Forrest,  John,  Jr 755 

William,  4th 755 

Foss,  Henry 694 

John 679,  755 

Robert 755 

Foster,  Abiel 16,  182 

Amos 308,  3 1 r 

Asa ...76,  755^  757 

Daniel 737,  743,  757 

David 308,  31 1,  754 

Edward 247 

Ephraim 737 

George 173 

Henry 224 

Hezekiah 256 

Isaac 518 

James 224 

John 153 

Jonathan 755 

Samuel 300,  737 


Foster,  Simeon 244,  245 

Thomas 13 

William 757 

Fowler,  Abner 756 

Daniel 490 

Ichabod 164 

Jeremiah 271 

John 9 

Fox,  Edward 585 

Elijah 39D  392 

John 4 

Jonathan 743 

Dr.  Jonathan 243 

Timothy...  .734,  738,  744,  745 

Timothy,  Jr 743,  747 

Franklin,  Jonathan 507 

Freeman,  Edmund. ..  159,  168,386 
Jonathan ..  ..159-161,  165,  170 

389 

Otis 171 

Russell 172 

Silvanus 168,  172 

Freese,  Jacob 131 

Jonathan 129 

French,  Abiel 487 

Abraham 346,  349,  350 

Andrew 398 

Benjamin.  ..335,  336,  626,  634 

Benjamin,  Jr 337,  338 

Ebenezer 487,  488,  489 

Ezekiel 487,  488,  489 

Green 264 

Henry 347,  348 

Israel 13 

James 732,  744 

John.. ..84,  104,  107,  III,  141 

181,  346 

Jonathan...  .275,  337,  344,  346 

350 

Jonathan,  Jr 344,  346,  349 

Jonathan,  3d 346,  350 

Jonathan,  4th 346,349 

Jonah 31 1 

Joseph 84.  93.  94,  97,  107 

246,  275,  292,  615,  626,  629 

Joseph,  Jr 84,  93,  94,  632 

Joshua 287 

Josiah 300 

Nathaniel. . 104,  107,  332,  336 

33^ 

Nathaniel.  Jr 332 

Nehemiah 246 

Obediah 487,  490- 


INDEX. 


803 


French,  Robert  S 

Samuel  . . . .267,  268,  281, 

333^  336,  349>  393^ 

Sarah 

Simon 

Theodore 

Timothy 252, 

William ....  141,  246,  328, 

392,  395. 

William,  Jr 

Frink,  Calvin 

Flijah 397-403. 

Elijah,  Jr 398, 

Henry 

Luther 

Thomas 

Frisel,  Samuel 


Frost,  Benjamin., 275, 

George 689,  695,  697, 

George,  Jr 692,  694, 

John 

Jonathan 567, 

Joseph 695, 

Joshua 217,  219, 

Nicholas 597, 

Samuel 603, 

Walter 

Winthrop 392,  393, 

Frye,  Elijah igi , 

John 

John,  Jr 

Fryer,  Nathaniel 


Fuller,  Andrew.. 509,  512,  524, 

Asa  . 494, 

Benjamin 121,  375, 

Benoni 

Chase 198,  199,  201, 

Daniel 

Hezekiah 

James Ill,  375, 

John 

Lemuel 

Nathan 

Thomas 

Fullerton,  John 

Fulton,  Robert 449, 

Furber,  Eli 

Jethro 712-717,  726, 

John 

Levi 726, 

Moses.  71 1-7 1 3, 

Nehemiah 711,  712, 

Thomas 


Furber,  Richard 717 

William  ....  71 1 , 712,  723,  726 

729 

Furnald,  Diamond...,. 490 

John 597 

Gagart,  Joseph 204 

Gage,  Amos 442 

Daniel 442 

John 265,  595 

Josiah 442 

Moses 442 

Gains,  George 695,  729 

Gale,  Amos  346 

Daniel 1 1 

Daniel,  Jr 12 

Emery 223 

Gilman 349 

Henry 348 

Jacob 13,  335,  348 

James 348 

Joseph 12 

Nathan 316 

Nathaniel 13 

Richard 223 

Stephen 13 

Gallop,  Benadam 396 

Thomas 370 

Gamble,  Archibald .. 552,  556,  558 
William.  ...548,  550,  552,  556 

Gammett,  William 204,  207 

Gardner,  Ebenezer 512 

Ezekiel 556,  634 

John 219 

Garfield,  Nathaniel 591 

Garland,  Amos 698 

Benjamin 698 

Benjamin,  Jr 698 

Ebenezer 599,  600 

Gideon 393 

Jacob 1 14,  330,  540 

James 1 14 

John 107,  1 1 2,  1 16,  698 

Jonathan ...  1 14,  125-129,  698 

Joseph 129,  698 

Levi 698 

Nathaniel 346 

Peter 698 

Simon 698 

Thomas 5 99-603 

Garman,  James 550,  552 

Joseph 129 

Gates,  Horatio 295,  414 


■349 

287 

490 

141 

332 

634 

490 

391 

615 

246 

401 

577 

402 

702 

402 

.318 

. 192 

710 

700 

696 

.654 

568 

697 

224 

603 

696 

.710 

395 

228 

.699 

.699 

•673 

525 

496 

377 

.116 

202 

.507 

•355 

377 

. 708 

.496 

.472 

. 1 16 

...6 

453 

•393 

729 

599 

729 

717 

717 

.603 


INDEX, 


804 


Gates,  Isaac 192  i 

Laban 171 

Samuel 157 

Thomas 370 

Gay,  Robert 437 

Geer,  Capt 317 

George,  Austin 92,  94,  97 

David 253,  460 

Gideon 348 

John 27,  44,  349,  480 

Jonathan 93,  461 

Joseph 547,  548 

Michael 763 

Thomas 333,  547 

William 84,  348 

Gerrish,  Benjamin 539 

James 602 

Paul 539,  602 

Samuel 610,  755,  736 

Thomas 540 

Gibbs,  Benjamin. ..  .732,  737,  747 

Henry 216 

Gibson,  Bar® 285 

Daniel 204,  207 

James 8,  204,  487 

John. . .204,  207-21 1,  491,  492  j 

Joseph 263  ’ 

Samuel 203 

Thomas 754 

Timothy 192,  264 

William 280,  281,488,  489 

Giddings,  John 138 

Gilbert,  Samuel 18,  25 

Thomas 76,  503 

Gilchrist,  Alexander 28-45 

Robert 38 

Gile,  Ebenezer 86,  87 


Moses 86 

Noah 192 

Jonathan 86 

Giles,  Benjamin 60 

Daniel 332 

Ebenezer 472,  480 

John  472,480 

Jonathan 754 

Joseph 487 

Paul .....39D  393.  395 

Gillingham,  Benjamin 668 

James 668 

James,  Jr 668 

Gillis,  Jonathan 527 

Josiah 588 

Jotham 76 


Gilman,  Antipas,  Jr 11-17 

Bartholomew 13 

Benjamin 4 

Daniel 332,  337,  338 

Daniel,  Jr 12 

Dudley 13 

Edward 4,  10,  759 

Edward,  Jr 4,  ii,  13 

Eliphalet 4 

Ezekiel 755 

Israel 721 

Jacob 337 

John 2,  II,  332 

John,  Jr 13 

John  T 555 

Jonathan 4,  6,  12,  13,  596 

Jonathan.  Jr 13 

Jonathan,  3d 5 

Joseph,  Jr 5,  269 

Joshua 12,  326 

Joshua,  Jr 12 

Josiah,  Jr 205,  521 

Jotham 4,  5,  12 

Levi 13 

Moses 760 

Nathaniel 5,  13,  77 

Nicholas i,  4.  12,  173 

Peter ii,  12,  75,  77 

Peter,  Jr 76,  77 

Robert 33 

Samuel 4,  13,  288 

Samuel,  Jr 13,  652 

Samuel  F 13,  14 

Stephen 12,  338 

Summersbee 4 

Thomas 13,  755 

William 490 

Winthrop 4,  13,  14 

Zebulon 12,  76,  77 

Gilmore,  David 300 

James 453,  593 

John 28,  297,  299,  445,  447 

556 

Jonathan 449,  457,  458 

Robert 22,  27,  35,  594 

Roger.  .294,  296,  300,  303.  314 

Samuel 594 

Thomas 442 

William 481 

Gilson,  David 626,  629 

Ebenezer 246,  249 

Given,  John 434 

Robert 435,  437 


INDEX. 


805 


Gleason,  Elijah 59 

Job 25 

Glidden,  Andrew 4 

Charles 755 

John 6,  9 

Samuel 391,  393 

William 391,  392 

Glines,  Israel 487-490,  708,  756 

James 435,  755 

John 755 

Nathaniel 755,  756 

Richard 754 

Robert 621 

William 755 

William,  Jr 754 

Glover,  David 280 

John 392 

Robert 280,  281,  287 

Timothy 393 

William 280,  526 

Goan,  Samuel 492 

William 487,  489 

Godfrey,  Ebenezer 117 

Isaac..  105,  109,  330,  333,  335 

James 117-119,  129 

John 1 18,  1 19,  492 

John,  Jr 1 18 

Jonathan 117,  118,  129 

Jonathan,  Jr 127 

Nathan 129 

Tristram 128 

William 119,  266,  330 

Goffe,  Griggs 589 

John.^  . .25,  91,  123,  213,  303 
304,  422,440,  541,  547,  550- 


553^  593.  625,  733 


John,  Jr 550 

Samuel 588 

Goldsmith.  Josiah .21 

Goodale,  Enos 743 

Goodell,  David 656 

Jonathan 507 

Richard 86 

Titus .503 

Goodenow,  Calvin 570 

Daniel 566 

John 263 

William 312 

Goodhue,  Samuel. 77 

Samuel,  Jr 81 

Stephen 77 

Gooding,  Simeon 180 

Goodridge,  Sewall 536 


Goodwin,  John 92 

Nathan 84,  97 

Simeon 187,  189 

Timothy 92,  94,  97 

Gookin,  Daniel 73 

Dorothy 122 

Rev.  Nathaniel 1 18 

Goolden,  Winsor 201,  463 

Gordon,  Alexander 12 

Amos 271,  272 

David. . . . ^ ...  .350,  400,  401 

Enoch 585 

James 585 

Jeremiah 12 

John 652,  656 

Jonathan 272 

Nicholas 12 

Phinehas 583 

Gorman,  James 457,  589 

Goss,  James 698 

John 250,  698 

Jonathan 698 

Joseph 584,  698 

Levi 698 

Nathan 698 

Nathaniel 71,  72 

Philip 224 

Philip,  Jr 224 

Robert 65 

Thomas 698 

Gotam,  Robert 358 

Gould,  Amos 190 

Benjamin 208,  210,  212 

Christopher 271 

Curtis 224 

Daniel 171,  173,  509,  512 

David 524 

Elias .265 

Gideon 265,  266,  702 

Ichabod 271,  272 

Israel 271,  272 

James  . . .73,  76,  166,  i 71,  173 
John.  .271,  272,  314,  738,  745 

Jonathan 287 

Joseph. .281,  287,  335,  614,  615 

Moses 265 

Oliver 303 

Richard 472,  606 

Simeon 737 

Stephen. ..  .515,  518,  524,  526 

Thomas 223 

William 224 

Gove,  Ebenezer iii 


8o6 


INDEX. 


Gove,  Ebenezer,  Jr 131 

Edward 131,  137 

Elijah 329 

Enoch 131,  137,  329 

John.,,103,  104,  III,  13 1,  146 

John,  Jr 13 1 

Jonathan 13 1 

Dr.  Jonathan..  . .650,  655,  656 

658 

Nathan 328 

Nathaniel 131 

Gowdy,  Samuel 696 

Gowing,  John.. 738 

Graham,  Arthur 153 

George 548 

Hugh 436,  440 


John 204 

Jonathan 204 

Samuel 440,  449,  453,  480 

William 453,  468 

W.  Elener 468 

Grandy,  Baz' 217 

Grant,  Andrew 94 

Benjamin 5,  503,  508 

Benjamin,  Jr 503 

Daniel 12 

John 72,  516,  518 

Noah 503 

Peter 503 

Peters 161 

Reuben 503 

Graves,  James 87,  339 

Jeremiah  345 

John 326,  329 

Rufus 175 

Samuel 87,  333,  430 

Gray,  Aaron 312 

Aaron,  Jr 312 

Ebenezer 504 

James .66,  722 

John 372,  375,  377,  380 

Samuel 291 

Samuel,  Jr 291 

Timothy 209-21 1 

William 644,  645 

Grear,  Matthew 396 

Thomas 480 

Greeley,  Aaron 46,  266,  66r 

Andrew .348 

David 487-489 

Edward 92,  349 

Enoch 348 

Ezekiel 277,  281,  468 


Greeley,  Jonathan...  .335,  336,  556 

Jonathan,  Jr 350 

Joseph 281,  288,  335,  338 

Joseph,  Jr 335-338 

Moses 350 

Nathaniel 348 

Reuben 275 

Samuel. .11,  13,  14,  15,  17,  278 
281,  593,  625 

Green,  Abraham 131,  338 

Amos 607 

Benjamin 1 1 1 

Bradbury 131,  137 

Ebenezer 503-507 

Henry 102 

Isaac 104,  1 1 1 

Jacob 1 10 

Jeremiah 326 

John.. .Ill,  114,  115,  128,  131 

328,  552 

Jonathan 131,  136,  328 

Jonathan,  Jr 137 

Joseph 171 , 173 

Nathan 137,  140,  253 

Nathaniel 76,  253 

Samuel 171 

Stephen 328 

Greene,  Sarah 309 

Greenwood,  Joseph 314 

Gregg,  Alexander,  Jr 647 

Benjamin 452,  456,  458 

David 452,  652 

Ebenezer 481 

George 457,  458,  475,  481 

Hugh 449^645,  646 

James.  152,  430,  440,  449,  452 
454,  457,  458,  475,  480,  548 
589,  646,  648 

James,  Jr 481,  646 

John..  .152,  440,  450,  452,  457 
458,  475,  648 

John,  Jr 475,  481 

Jonathan 480,  589 

Joseph 452,457,  458,  475 

476,  481 

Joseph,  Jr 475 

Reuben 653 

Samuel  . . . .440,  445,  450,  454 

458,  548 


Samuel,  Jr 457 

Thomas. 440,  445 

William 434,  440,  443,  452 

457,  458,  548 


INDEX. 


807 


Gregory,  David 

33 

Grendall,  Daniel 

Gridley,  Richard 

288 

Griffin,  Cesar  

552 

Dudley 

Ebenezer 

.340,  346 

348 

Isaac  

332,  335 

James 

556 

John 

550,  556 

John, Jr 

550 

Jonathan 

.473-480 

Moses 

.326,  480 

Robert 

594 

Samuel 349,  641,  642 

Theophilus.332,  335, 

550,  552 
556,  557 

William 

93 

Griggs,  Ephraim 

355 

John 

Grimes,  Francis 

453 

Francis,  Jr 

263,  453 

John 

152 

Jonathan 

607,  614 

Moses 

450,  453 

Patrick 

Thaddeus 

Grindle,  Daniel 

47 

Grinheld,  Samuel 

759 

Griswold,  Isaac 

315.  323 

J eremiah 

372 

John 

•370, 372 

Oliver 

372 

Stephen 

Grout,  Amasa 

355 

Daniel 

398 

John 

William 

Guild,  Abigail 

. ...  309 

Benjamin 

•309»  310 

Daniel 

322 

Gunnison,  Daniel 

- - - '777 

John 457, 

458,  475 

Samuel 666,  668,  670 

Samuel,  Jr 

William 

Guppy, Joshua 

.601-603 

Gurdy,  Jacob 

Gustine,  Edward 

Samuel 

.272,  574 

Thomas 

572 

Gutterson,  Samuel 

.604,  609 

Guy,  Thomas 

44 

Hackett,  Ephraim 709 

Ezra 709 


J eremiah  . . . 

755 

Hadley,  Benjamin. ..  .86,  281,  287 

54D  547 

David 

84 

Ebenezer. . , 

44 

Eliphalet.. . 

Enos 

Ezekiel 

George. . . . 

27,  31,  664 

John 

27 

Joseph 

27,  46.  84,  86 

Judith 

84 

Moses . 278, 

280,  281,  285,  61 5 

Nathan  . . . . 

• 97 

Obediah. . . . 

Seth 

i55»  156,  589 

Stephen.  . . . 

Thomas. . . . 

31 

Haines,  Jacob. . . 

71 

James 

69 

John 

72,  73 

John,  Jr. . . 

68,  72,  73 

Joseph 

599 

Joshua 

Josiah 

71.  73 

Lewis 

72 

Matthew. . . 

65,  67,  68 

Nathan 

68 

Nathaniel  . , 

68 

Noah 

67,  71,  73 

Samuel . . . . 

72,  49C  754 

Stephen. . . . 

755 

Thomas. . . . 

William  . . . 

65,  73 

William,  Jr 

73 

Hale,  Aaron . . . , 

756 

Benjamin. . , 

84 

David 

33.  44^  76,  82 

David,  Jr. . , 

44 

Ebenezer. . , 

84 

Enoch 

293,  314,  637 

Henry 

280,  634 

Henry,  Jr. . 

Israel 

522 

John 73,  76,  79,  240,  260 

279-283, 

287,  628,  630,  635 
733 

Jonathan  . . 

188 

Jonathan  R, 

93.  94 

Thomas  .. . , 

738 

William  ... 

245 

8o8 


INDEX. 


Haley,  Dennis 466 

Hall,  Benjamin 22,  320,  322 

Daniel. 253,  548,  550,  552,  556 

557,  565,  649 

Daniel,  Jr 556,  566 

David 27,  77,  581 

Ebenezer 253,  61 1 

Edward 133 

Elijah 500 

Ephraim 316 

Jacob 500 

Jeremiah 306-311 

Jesse 308,  312 

John  . . .77,  281,  487,  540,  543 

548-552,  610,  649 

John,  Jr 557 

John,  3d 556 

Kinsley 104-109 

Nathaniel 377 

Nathaniel,  Jr 379,  380 

Nicholas 756 

Ralph 291 

Samuel  . . . .308,  556,  557,  649 

Stephen 253,  365 

Talmage 465 

Timothy 253 

Webster 172,  174 

William 552 

Ziba 379 

Ham,  George 538 

Nathaniel 722 

Hambleton,  Murray 227 

Hamilton  Joseph 50,  56 

Hammett,  Joseph 656 

Hammond,  Abel 223 

David 224,  552 

Elijah 169 

George  W 18 

Isaak 25 

Joseph 303 

Hancock,  George 755 

Henry 363 

John 152 

Joseph 755 

William 86,  309,  755 

Hand,  Oliver 494,  496,  497 

Hannaford,  Benjamin 253 

Robert 271 

Hanson,  Aaron 391,  392 

John 595 

Maul 540 

Richard 597-600 

Timothy 599-603 


Hanson,  Timothy,  Jr 539 

Hard.  Isaac 285 

Hardy,  Daniel 281 

Henry  ...  285 

Isaac 252 

John 281 

Jonathan 287 

Jonathan,  Jr 281 

Levi 252 

Moody 281 

Nathaniel 273 

Nehemiah 76,  77,  251 

Richard 281,  558,  566 

Thomas 566 

Harford,  Nicholas 603 

Harkness,  Robert 300,  737 

Harper,  Daniel 708 

James 708 

John 292,  708 

Harran,  James 709 

John 709 

Thomas  709 

Harriman,  Ebenezer 263 

John 84,  92,  94 

John,  Jr 94 

Laban 253 

Reuben 84,  93,  94 

Stephen 271,  272 

Harrington,  Timothy  31 1,  469,479 

Harris,  Benjamin 424 

Ebenezer 626-633 

Ebenezer,  Jr 626-633 

Jonathan 634 

Robert 253 

Samuel 265 

Thomas 112 

William 629,  634 

Harrod,  James 418 

Hart,  Henry 727 

Jabez,  Jr 93 

John 253,  317,  342,  344 

Nathan 13 

Nathaniel 393 

Samuel 303,306,  719 

Hartshorn,  Aaron 487 

Ebenezer 233 

James 379,  607 

Hartwell,  Ephraim 743,  747 

John 208,  210,  212 

Jonathan 355,  357 

Harvell,  Gershom. . . .419,  424,  591 

John 419,  550,  643 

Joseph 589 


INDEX. 


809 


Harwood,  James 591,  626,  632 

James,  Jr 629 

Thomas  ....  547,  626,  629,  632 

Harvey,  David 556 

Ebenezer 314,  315,  392 

Enoch 663 

Ezra 323 

Isaiah 487,  490 

James 395 

John 548,  556,  663,  668 

John,  Jr 556,  663,  668 

Jonas 556 

Jonathan 344 

Lemuel 668 

Stephen 603 

Thomas 21 

William 626 

Haseltine  & Haselton,  Asa ....  552 

558,  565,  566 

Asa,  Jr 556,  558,  567 

Benjamin 81,  557,  558 

David 558,  566 

John 74,  77,  80,  280,  407 

409,  566 

Jonathan 552,  566 

Joseph 253,  473,  656 

Moses 566 

Nathaniel 280,  287 

Peter  G 77 

Philip 558,  565 

Philip,  Jr 566 

Samuel  ....  76,  77,  80,  81,  751 

Stephen 565 

Haskell,  Job 131,  492 

Joseph 252 

Zurriel 51 

Hastings,  Amos 365 

James 756 

John 279 

Jonas 27,  663-665,  668 

Joseph >271,  272 

Moses 272 

Robert 756 

William 632 

Hatch,  Jonathan 503 

Samuel 4»  64 

Hathorne,  Ebenezer . 190,  192,  292 

John 192 

Hawkley,  James 763 

Hawkins,  Daniel,  Jr 224 

Ephraim 223 

Stephen 223 

Haws,  Daniel 309 


Hayden,  Samuel 247,  252,  612 

Hayes,  David 172,  174 

Jonathan 603 

Robert 168,  172 

Samuel 172,  174 

Thomas 12 

Haynes,  Joseph 409 

Joseph,  Jr 409 

Josiah 407 

Hayward,  Joseph 154 

Nathan 25 

Samuel 737,  744 

Haywood,  James 295 

Joseph 252 

Nathaniel 206 

Hazzen,  John . .84,  90,  91 , 177,  178 

Richard 83,  85,  86 

Richard,  Jr 84 

Sarah 84 

Head,  Isaac 228 

Heald,  Ebenezer 732 

Thomas 736-740,  747 

Heall,  Abraham 626 

Joseph 626,  634 

Thomas 626,  629 

Healey,  Daniel 224 

Ezra 223 

Nathaniel 1 14 

Nehemiah 224 

Newell 329 

Samuel 104,  224 

Stephen 136 

William 1 14 

Heath,  Benjamin 84,  86,  754 

Bartholomew.. . .84,  86,  93,  94 

Caleb 86,  754 

Daniel 201,  202 

Elijah 90 

Isaac 93 

Jacob 755 

James 202 

Jesse 93,  94,  375,  376,  377 

379 

John 198,  202 

Jonathan..  .202,  346,  350,  755 

Joshua 192,  194,  263 

Josiah..i96,  198,  199,  201,  202 

Nathaniel 84,  86,  87 

Nehemiah 1 14 

Peter  201 , 202 

Richard 85 

Sargent 192 

Simeon 754 


8io 


INDEX. 


Heath,  William 84,  192 

William,  Jr 84,  90 

Heaton,  Daniel 480 

Nathaniel 172,  174 

Seth 306,  309 

Hebbard,  Asa 398 

Milan 398 

Hedges,  Dr.  Silas 655 

Hemingway,  Luther 567 

Hemphill,  Goen 754 

Nathaniel 452,  481 

Robert 452 

Hendee,  Joshua 169 

Henderson,  David 648 

William 348 

Henry,  John 593 

William 593 

Herenton,  William 33 

Herrick,  Daniel 264,  518 

Jonathan 264 

Jonathan,  Jr 265 

John 524,  597 

Joseph 509,  515,  518-521 

Pyam 526 

Stephen 172 

Hewett,  William 746,  764 

Hews,  Nathaniel 503 

Nathaniel,  Jr 503 

Hickey,  James 399 

Hickock,  Andrew 76 

Hicks,  Joseph 537~54o 

Hide,  John 392 

Highlands,  Thomas 548 

Hight,  Dennis 724,  729 

Joseph 727.  729 

Hiland,  John 449,  452 

Thomas 449,  452,  457,  458 

480 

Hildrith,  Ephraim.  . . .64,  267,  270 

472,  738 

James 418 

Joel 744 

John 591 

Levi 92,  264 

Simeon 736 

Stephen 744 

William 591 

Hill,  Asa 172,  174 

Benjamin 540 

Charles 370,  375-380 

Ebenezer 392,  540,  594 

Edward 393,  395 

Eleazer 169,  172 


Hill,  Elijah 

Ezekiel 

Isaac 

Jabez 

James 

J esse 

.155,  281 
277 

,308,  311 
.415-417 
219 

John 203,  205, 

207,  393 

Dr.  Jonathan 

14 

Joshua 

348 

Alark 

395 

Moses,  Jr 

Nathaniel . .41 5,  416, 

487,  490 

Nathaniel,  Jr 

490 

Oliver 

Philip 

Reuben 391, 

392,  395 

Robert 229, 

537,  539 

Samuel 223,  393,  394 

Thomas 229, 

393,  540 

Wille 

393 

William 

•595,  598 

Hilliard,  Joseph  C 

.326,  329 

Hilton,  Andrew 

•393,  395 

Edward 

.759-761 

Edward,  Jr 

Ichabod  

392 

Richard 

105 

Samuel 

552 

Hilyard,  Benjamin. ..  1 12, 

115,  131 

Jonathan 

136,  137 
•13G  137 

Simeon 

. 140,  146 

Timothy loi. 

104,  131 

Zebulon 

. 140,  146 

Hinckes.  John 

673 

Hinds,  Jacob 

Hindsdale,  Ebenezer 

.212-215 

Hinkley,  David 

•379,  386 

Hinman,  Elijah 

•355,  356 

Hitching.  Josiah 648, 

653,  656 

Hix,  John 

.600,  603 

Hixon,  Samuel : . . . . 

64 

Hoag,  Hussey 

Thomas 

434 

Hoar,  Benjamin 732- 

-737,  743 

Daniel 

306 

Jotham 

738,  744 

Leonard 

386 

Leonard,  Jr 

744 

Hobart,  David 233, 

628,  629 

Gershom 

■77,  233 

Jacob 

245 

James 233, 

507,  751 

INDEX. 


8ll 


Hobart,  John 77 

Jonas 73,  77 

Jonathan 233 

Joseph 507 

Josiah 81 

Samuel 79,  232,  233,  298 

Sarah 345 

Hobbs,  Benjamin  118,  119 

129 

James ii7»  698 

Jeremiah 127 

John 106,  109,  III,  1 16 

Jonathan 698 

Joseph 468,  535,  588 

Josiah 1 16,  121 

Morris 1 16,  121,  127 

Nehemiah 106,  129 

Noah 329 

Samuel 1 16 


Hodge,  Alexander 336 

Hezekiah  73^ 

Nathaniel 1 1 5 

Robert 461,  548 

William 65 

Hodges,  David 494,  496 

Janson 497 

Lemuel 496 

Nathan 494-497 

Hodgdon,  Alexander 711,  712 

Benjamin 726-729 

Hanson 328 

John 727,  729 

Phinehas 357 

Joseph 726-729 

Hodgkins,  Nathaniel 743 

Phinehas 355 

William 229,  737,  738 

Hodsdon 710,  712 

Hogan,  William 229 

Hogg,  Abner 656,  662 

Alexander 401 

James 263.  452,  462,  480 

John 86,  87,  96,  401,  656 

John,  Jr 668 

Joseph. 452,  461,  464,  480,  548 

Robert 646 

Thomas 437,  480 

William 452,  656 

Hoit,  Enoch 270 

Ezekiel 12 

Jabez 97 

Jonathan 487 

Joseph  B 324 


Hoit,  Nathan 612,  622 

Samuel 271 

Thomas 256,  756 

Holden,  John 756 

Zachariah 418 

Holderness,  Earl  of 226 

Holland,  Jane 471 

Stephen 450,  453-457,  465 

467,  472,  524 

Holies,  Thomas  Pelham 331 

Hollis,  Thomas 231 

Holman,  Stephen 481 

Holmes,  Abraham 434,  437 

Benjamin 265 

Chauncey 230 

Elijah..^ 265,  271 

Jabez 533 

Jeremiah 67 

John.. 271,  306,  358,  434,  436 

437,  453,  477,  478,  548 

Lemuel 23 

Nathaniel 445 

Oliver. 649 

Samuel 230,  306 

Thomas 481,  548 

William. ..  .434,  437,  452,649 

Holt,  Barachias 518 

Fifield 252 

John 528 

Jonathan 202 

Joshua 518,  528 

Joshua,  Jr 518 

Oliver 526 

Samuel 764 

Timothy 528 

Holton,  Jonathan 348 

Homan,  Joseph 347 

Honey,  John 626,  629 

Parmenter 633 

Peter 626,  629.  633 

William 634 

Hood,  William 453,  468 

Hook,  Dyer 344 

Humphrey 344,  346,  350 

Humphrey,  Jr 350 

Israel 346,  349 

Jacob 346,  348 

Hoop,  Thomas 436 

Hooper,  Jacob 473 

Hopkins,  Benjamin . .607,  610,  6ii 

614 

Beniamin,  Jr.... 607,  609,  614 
David 453 


8i2 


INDEX. 


Hopkins,  Ebenezer.  607,  609 

James.  .449,452,447,  458,  473 

649 

John.  .449,  451,  457,  458,  470 

475,  649 

John,  Jr.  ...449,  457,  458,  475 

Noah 319 

^^obert 454,  457,  458,  649 

Hore,  Johnson 67 

Horne,  Benjamin ...6 

Jethro 597,  599 

Paul 61 1 

Horton,  Jonathan 24 

Hosley,  James 155,  157,  746 

Hosmer,  Reuben 764 

Hough,  David 382 

Houghton,  Amasa 224 

Israel 22,  322 

Jonas 730 

John 22,  315 

House,  John 76,  165,  169,  170 

173,  371,  372,  506 

Obediah 27 

Houston,  Samuel. 464 

Hovey,  Ivory 246 

James 503 

Josiah 375 

Nathaniel 361,  363,  364 

Simeon 375 

How,  Daniel 357 

Eliakim 190,  192 

Isaac 732-744 

Isaac,  Jr 744 

Josiah 361 

Micah 263 

Nehemiah 263 

Otis 192,  208-21 1 

Peter 265 

Uriah 25 

Howe,  Dr.  Adonijah.296,  300,  303 

Ebenezer 263 

Tilly 173,  507 

William 224 

Howard,  Amos 97 

Benjamin 507 

Daniel 503,  507 

Daniel , Jr ...  503 

Edward 503,  507 

Edward,  Jr 503,  506 

Enoch 507 

Isaiah 503,  507 

Jeremiah 367 

Jonathan 224 


Howard,  Joseph 507 

Joshua 187,  189 

Nathaniel 204 

Thomas 55,  386,  633 

Uriah 507 

Howlet,  Davis 307,  315,  316 

Thomas 192,  195 

Hoyt,  Abner.. . .271,  272,  400,  755 

Benjamin.  ..194,  263,  271,  272 

727 

Ebenezer 224 

Ezra 265 

George 195 

Hanson 489,  490 

Israel 710 

Jacob 266,  271,  272 

John  ..265,  710,  712,  717,  727 

Jonathan 489,  490 

Joseph 49,  55,  56,  201 

Moses 195 

Samuel 272,  410 

Simeon 13 

Stephen 267 

Thomas 754 

Hubbard,  Benjamin 349 

David 154,  158 

Erastus 24 

Francis 348 

James 215,  218-221 

Jeremiah 333,  334,  344 

John 337,  747 

Jonathan 291 

Roswell 24 

Huckins,  Benjamin 709 

James 537,  708 

John 5,  537 

John,  Jr 537 

Jonathan 540 

Joseph 12 

Joseph,  Jr ii,  13 

Josiah 395 

Robert 540 

Robert,  Jr 540 

Sarah 392 

Simeon 392,  395 

Thomas 392 

Huey,  Henry.  — 280,  283,  284,  287 

Huggins,  Nathaniel 65 

Samuel 68 

Samuel,  Jr 71 

Hughes.  John 45  r,  480,  548 

Hull,  Eli *398,  400,  403 

Richard 702 


INDEX. 


813 


Humphrey,  Benjamin  T 484 

Daniel 622 

James 481 

Tames,  }r 481 

John 435 

William 223,  432,  434,  445 

466,  481,  484 

Hunking.  Mark 65 

Hunneford,  Peter 755 

Hunt,  Abel 13 

Abner 350 

Charles 1 14 

Enoch 13 

Enos 264,  271 

Henry 350 

James 22 

Jeremiah 634 

Jonathan 86 

Moses. 350 

Nehemiah 350 

Samuel 317,  503 

William 84,  174,  632,  634 

Hunter,  Daniel . .457,  458,  470,  471 

475 

David 440 

Edward 263 

James 473,  643,  644,  648 

John.  .450,  457,  458,  484,  652 

Robert 457,  458 

Huntington,  Asa 169 

Gam^ 398 

Theophilus 371,  378 

Huntley,  Elisha 576 

Hezekiah 398-401 

Jasper 572 

Moses 401 

Nathan 572 

Samuel 398 

Huntoon,  Aaron 347,  349 

Eli 348 

John 332,  337,  346,  348 

Joshua 349 

Moses 346,  348 

Nathaniel 338 

Philip 332,  336 

Samuel 336 

Stephen 349 


Huntress,  Christopher 71 1,  712 


George . . 

John 

Jonathan 
Joseph. . 


717 

....727 

712-714 

717 

727 


Huntress,  Mark 727 

Nathan 726 

Noah 727,  729 

Samuel 713-71Q 

Seth 727 

Solomon •’•49i 

William. . 713,  717,  727 

Hurd,  Jabez 398,  400 

Jacob 363,  498-500 

John 179,  186,  500 

Shubael 398,  400 

Uzziel 398,  400 

Hurlbert,  Elijah 172 

Nathaniel,  Jr 172,  173 

Huse,  Abel 552,  556-558,  565 

Carr 195-202,  751 

Isaac 552,  556,  558,  565 

James 93,  94,  97 

Josiah 566 

Moses 192 

Samuel 346,  349 

Thomas 27,  202 

Hussey,  John loi 

Huston,  Alexander  . .450,  457,  459 

Samuel 275,  277,  440,  450 

457,  458,  513 

Hutchins,  David 490 

Ephraim 92 

Gordon 167 

Hezekiah 84,  92,  94,  97 

Jeremiah 363,  364 

John 709 

Joseph 184,  187,  189  . 

Nathaniel 269 

Samuel 71,  177 

Stephen 6 

Hutchinson,  Aaron 175,  389, 

Abner 606,  609 

Bartholomew .609 

Benjamin 609 

Dudley 12 

Elisha 5,  472,  606,  609 

Jonathan 5 

Nathan 607,  609,  614 

Nathan,  Jr 609 

Nathaniel 512 

Samuel 512 

Stephen. 5 

William 204,  205,  207,  209 

210, 212 


Ingalls,  Ebenezer. . . . 197-199,  708 
J onathan 1 96-202 


8i4 


INDEX. 


Ingalls,  Jonathan,  Jr 199,  200 

Luther 1 71 

Solomon 640 

Ingraham,  Abner 76 

Junia 76 

Junia,  Jr 76 

Innis,  Archelaus 230 

John 230 

Isham,  William 299,  400,  403 

Jack,  Andrew 454,  656 

Jackman,  Simeon 752 

William 752,  753 

Jackson,  Andrew 289 

Daniel 538 

Elizabeth 398 

Henry 297 

James 538 

Joseph 706 

Sarah 65,  66 

Jacobs,  Daniel 168,  170 

Samuel 490 

Seth 539 

Solomon 172 

Stephen 490 

Jaffrey,  George... 65,  114,  292,  622 

673^  695,  700 

James.... 3,  134,  135 

James,  Benjamin.  .4,  106,  108,  112 

326,329 

Benjamin,  Jr 117,  328 

Caleb 13 

David 328 

Israel 326 

Jabez 6,  14 

Jonathan 6,  708 

Thomas 1 1 7 

Jameson,  Alexander 76 

Daniel 76 

Hugh 461 

James 449,  454 

John 440 

Samuel 407,  410 

Thomas 454,  459,  466 

William 440,  449,  454 

Janvrin,  George 694,  695 

Jaquith,  Ebenezer 236,  238,  622 

Jefferson,  Thomas 304 

Jenkins,  James 392,  395 

John 393,  395 

Mark 72,  73 

Samuel 291 

Stephen 695 


Jenkins,  William...  .67,  71,  73,  392, 


395 

Jenness,  Benjamin 698 

Francis 698 

Hezekiah 1 1 1 

Isaac 129,  698 

Job 73,698 

John 698 

John  B 699 

Jonathan 698 

Joseph,  Jr 698 

Levi 698 

Nathaniel 699 

Noah 699 

Peter 698 

Richard.  .73,  444,  689,  698,  699 

720 

Samuel 698 

Simon 698 

Jenney,  Ebenezer 58 

Isaac 58 

James 58 

Jennings,  Ephraim 506 

Israel 399 

Stephen 506 

Jennison,  Hopestill 355 

Lot 204,  206 

Jewell,  Benjamin 633 

Benoni 633 

David 118,  1 19 

John 256 

Justus 233 

Nathaniel 626 

Thomas 256 

Jewett,  David 410 

Ebenezer 248 

Edward 314 

Jacob 13 

Jacob,  Jr 252: 

John 410 

Joseph 366,  410 

Nathaniel 410,  479 

Samuel 13,  264,  275 

Stephen 251,  264 


Johnstone,  Charles. ..  184-189,  389 

405 


John 656 

Michael 184 

Stephen 568 

William 453 

Johnson,  Abraham 68,  93. 

Adam 512 

Adam,  Jr 512 


INDEX. 


815 


Johnson,  Benjamin 121,  755 

Benjamin,  Jr 1 21 

Caleb 84 

Charles 84 

Daniel 84 

David 68,  72,  73,  355 

Ebenezer. . . .27,  65,  67,  71 , 86 

Ebenezer,  Jr 73 

Edmond 109,  698 

Gideon 600,  603 

Henry 93 

Jacob 64 

James.. ..65,  66,  108,  no,  129 

214 

Jesse 84,  89,  92,  388 

John. 65,  68,  86,  117,  118,  190 
366,  407,  61 1,  760 

John,  Jr 5C  68 

Joseph  . . .66,  93,  94,  1 16,  202 

722 

Joshua. . 68,  72 

Josiah 595-603 

Jotham 72 

Moses 278,  281 

Nathan 65,  72 

Nathan,  Jr 72 

Nathaniel 127 

Noah 92,  624,  626,  629 

Obediah 326,  328 

Peter.. 106,  108,  in,  129,  167 

Peter,  Jr 698 

Samuel.  ..84,  93,  94,  106,  108 

352,  355^  357,  597-602 

Samuel,  Jr 93,  94 

Simon 698 

Stephen 84,86,  457,  481 

Stephen,  Jr 86 

Thomas.. .67,  72,  73,  177,  179 

185 

Timothy 27.  38-45,  598 

William 355,  357,  359 

Winthrop 68 

Zebediah 206 

Zachariah 84 

Johonnet,  Prince 44 

Jones,  Anthony 393,  395 

Benjamin 206,  392,  524 

Caleb 606,  609,  614 

Caleb,  Jr 609 

Daniel 219 

Ebenezer 393,  743 

James 206,  208,  210,  212 

375-380 


Jones,  Jesse ........ 

John 255, 

256,  393,  395 

Jonathan 

•347,  348,  480 

Josiah 

480,  589 

Joseph 

....5,  13,  224 

Loyd 

756 

Mary 

393 

Matthias 

393 

Moses 

167,  271,  272 

Nathan 

348 

Peter 

299,  744 

Philip 

44 

Richard 

12,  537 

Robert 

654 

Samuel 

206,  537 

Thomas 

540 

William ....  204, 

206,  208,  210 
212,  694-697 

William,  Jr 

Jordon, John 

642,  656 

Nathaniel 

694 

Joses,  Richard 

Joslin,  James 

Nathaniel 

263 

Joy,  David,  Jr 

Jacob 

540 

Judkins,  Amos 

349 

Benjamin 

332,336 

Caleb 

347 

Henry 

346,  349 

Job 

585 

John 

346,  349 

Jonathan 

Joseph 

346,  349 

Josiah 

Samuel 

332,  336 

Kalley.  Peter 

Karr,  James 

John 454,  457,  458,  466 

Samuel.  .33,  38, 

386,  449,  457 
458,  481 

Thomas. 

27,  415 

Thomas,  Jr 

651 

Karson,  Robert 

Kathan,  John 

56 

Kay,  Robert 

407,  409 

Keais,  Samuel 

Keene,  Benjamin ... 

307 

Keep,  Michael 

472 

Keesey,  William . . . . 

Kelley,  Daniel 

709 

Ezekiel  H 

559 

8i6 


INDEX, 


Kelley,  Hugh 466 

Jacob 12 

Micajah 12 

Moses.  .35-39,  42,  44,  69,  422 

Nehemiah 93,  94,  97 

Peter 466 

Richard 466 

Samuel 94,  97 

William 434 

Kellogg,  Enos 173 

Joseph 306 

Kelman,  Ebenezer 224 

Kelsea,  Moses 708 

Kelsey,  Alexander 481 

Jonathan 481 

William 647 

Kelso,  Alexander. . . .452,  652,  656 

Daniel 656 

William 652,  656 

Kemp,  Elijah 263 

John 751 

Levi 263 

William 29,  30,  46 

Zechariah 77 

Kendall,  Daniel 419,  591 

Daniel,  Jr 591 

Ebenezer 74~77i  80,  81 

Ebenezer,  Jr 81 

Jacob 81,  418,  589 

John  W 81 

Nathan 547 

Nathan,  Jr 547 

Simeon 424 

Timothy 419,  423,  424 

Kendrick,  Daniel 168,  247,  251 

Daniel,  Jr 252 

Ebenezer 170 

Kennedy,  Alexander 28 

John 656 

Joseph 28-31 

Matthew 29-31 

Robert 28-31,  33 

Samuel 28-31,  33,  41 

Thomas 28-31 

Kenney,  Amos 273 

Israel 252 

John 140,  146 

Samuel 61 1 

Stephen 279,  280 

Kenrick,  Benjamin . ..610,  61 1,  615 

Daniel 247,  61 1,  612,  614 

Kent,  Amos 560 

Job 93,  94,  97 


Kent,  John 84, 

346,  349 

John,  Jr 

349 

Kerwin,  Edward 

Ketcham,  Nathaniel 

.168,  172 

Zopher 

Keyes,  Elijah 

Stephen 

751 

Kezar,  Ebenezer 

84 

Edmund 

754 

John 

84 

Moses 

.271,  272 

Kidder,  Aaron 732, 

734,  744 

Benjamin 453, 

468,  541 

Job 

27 

John.  .198,  199,  512, 

524,  541 

John,  Jr 

534 

Jonas 512, 

521,  523 

Joseph 

•732,  733 

Josiah 

615 

Josiah,  Jr 

615 

Luther 

743 

Reuben. .46,  730,  732, 

735,  737 

747 

Samson 

.453,  468 

Thomas 

738 

Kielle,  Samuel 

540 

Kilburn,  Joel 21, 

377-380 

John 

215 

Josiah 

Killam,  Benjamin 

•534,  535 

Daniel 

.208-211 

Joseph 

534 

Samuel 

534 

Killey,  Jonathan 

585 

Killicut,  Thomas 

•632,  634 

Kimball,  Aaron 

Abel 256-259,  264 

Abraham 193, 

256,  264 

Andrew 

...27,  38 

Benjamin. . .84,  86,  89,  93, *^94 

207-2 I I 

Caleb 

27 

David 

Dudley 

98 

Ebenezer 

755 

Ira 

13 

Isaac 

94 

James 

Jeremiah 

Jeremiah,  Jr 

John. . .8,  92,  94,  97, 

256,  265 

583 

Joseph 94,  192 


INDEX, 


817 


Kimball,  Joshua 192 

Miller 758 

Moses 84,  271 

Nathaniel 12,  265,  266 

Peter 752,  753 

Reuben 63,  256,  533 

Samuel 192,  263,  265 

Smith 264 

Stephen 253 

Susanna 259 

Timothy 44,  236 

Kincaid,  Daniel 106 

Samuel 434 

King,  Daniel 50,  51 

George 138,  144 

Samuel 314,  509 

Kingsbury,  Absalom 574 

Daniel 21 , 323 

Jonathan 373 

Nathaniel 312 

Kindrick,  Benjamin 349 

Dudley 349 

Kinnestone,  David 755 

William 755 

Kinney,  Samuel 737 

Kinnison,  Aaron 392 

John 392,  598,  599,  600 

Joseph 599 

Josiah 393 

Sa 598 

Thomas 393 

Waldron 597,  601 

Kinrick,  Dudley 346 

Samuel 349 

Kinsman,  Ephraim 253,  753 

Kinston,  John 391 

Kittredge,  Ebenezer 38 

James 38 

Dr,  John 344 

Solomon 473 

William 615 

Knapp,  Abiel 51 

Elisha 223 

Jonathan 494,  497 

Peter 172 

Peter,  Jr 172 

Kneeland,  Rev.  Abner 367 

Knight,  Benjamin 155,  744 

David 744 

Ebenezer 738,  744 

Enos 156,  744,  747 

Enoch,  Jr 738 


John 710,  713-715.  721 

54 


Knight,  John,  Jr 710,  717 

Nicholas 713,  717 

Knowles,  Amos 116,  127 

James 6,  7 

Jeremiah 128 

John 105,  III,  117,  698 

Jonathan 121 

Josiah 121 

Nathan 698 

Samuel 698 

Simon 109,  in,  121 

Knowlton,  Benjamin 743 

Ebenezer 142 

Ezekiel 264 

Jonathan 142 

Robert 264 


Ladd,  Benjamin 337 

Daniel 332 

Ezekiel 183,  185,  186 

James 12 

Jeremiah 391,  393,  754 

John 202,  332,  346,  348 

Joseph 186 

Nathaniel 1 13 

Samuel 4,  9,  13,  14,  185 

Thaddeus 271,  272 

True  worthy 342,  344 

LaFayette,  Gen 264 

Laighton,  George 727 

Joel 727 

Samuel,  Jr . . .602 

Lain,  John 663 

Lake,  Thomas 694 

Lakin,  William 152,  153,  154 

Lamb,  James 270 

Lamkin,  Joshua 355 

Oliver 355 

Lamos,  Moses 393 

Lamper,  Simon 698 

Simon,  Jr 698 

Lamprey,  Benjamin 109,  121 

Daniel in,  127 

David 127 

Henry 326 

John 127,  328 

Morris 121,  129 

Reuben 128 

Landee,  John 373 

Landegal,  Patrick 634 

Lane,  Isaiah 140,  146,  150 

James 127 

Jeremiah 147,  148,  150 


8i8 


INDEX. 


Lane,  Jesse 

John 

143 

Joshua 

.114,  329 

Samuel 131,  137, 

147,  148 

Samuel,  Jr 

147 

Simon 

Simon,  Jr 

William 

. 105,  109 

Lang,  Bickford 

698 

Ebenezer 

346 

George 

68 

John 

698 

Josiah 

73 

Mark 

698 

Stephen 

. 140,  146 

Thomas 

•••63,  73 

Thomas,  Jr 

73 

William 47, 

140,  146 

Langdell,  Joseph 

473 

Langdon,  John..  182,  367,  399,  554 

616 

Woodbury 

Langley,  Jonathan 

392 

Levi 

•39L  394 

Samuel 

393 

Thomas 391 , 

392,  395 

Thomas,  Jr 

392 

Timothy 

•39D  393 

Langmaid,  Joseph 

686 

Stephen 

487 

Lannen,  Thomas 

Lapish,  Robert 

.694,  695 

Larey,  Joseph 

603 

Joseph,  Jr 

603 

Lary,  Jonathan 

Larrabee,  Benjamin 

,169,  31 1 

Stephen 

312 

Laskey,  William 

393 

Lathrop,  Elisha 

378 

Latton,  John 

711 

Thomas 

Lawrence,  Charles 

152 

David  278,  281,  453, 

468,  582 

585 

Eleazer 

Eleazer,  Jr 

Gordon 

585 

Jonathan 

332 

Joseph 

113 

Rev.  Micah 

314 

Noah 

532 

Oliver 153, 

157,  241 

Thomas 

249 

Lawrence,  William i8,  577 

Layn,  John 391-394 

Leach,  James 679 

John 94,  671 

Joseph 127,  472,  480,  661 

Samuel 597 

Leamon,  Abraham 612,  615 

Merah*" 247 

Samuel 614 

Lear,  Alexander 698 

Benjamin 698 

Samuel 600 

Tobias 671 

Willliam 596 

Learned,  Samuel 427 

Leathers,  Aaron 392,  395 

Edward 301,  30c 

John 392,  395 

Paul 392 

William 393 

Leavitt,  Amos 137,  585 

Aretas 109 

Daniel 487,  489 

Gideon 755,  756 

James 117 

John 1 17-1 19,  708 

John,  Jr 109 

Joseph 599 

Levi 585 

Mary 122 

Moses 106,  ic8,  701 

Moses,  Jr 1 13 

Nehemiah 9 

Samuel 117 

Sarah 9 

Stephen 13 

Thomas. ...  106,  108,  112,  131 

622 

Lee,  Joseph 171 

William 649 

Leighton,  Joel 729 

Thomas 712,  713,  717 

Leslie,  Alexander 466 

Jonas 252,  440 

Joseph 252 

Lett,  Joseph,  Jr 1 14 

Lewis,  Aaron 512,  649 

Asa 604 

Benjamin 606,  609 

Benjamin,  Jr.  . . .472,  606,  609 

David 649 

Ebenezer 575 

Isaac 649 


INDEX. 


819 


Lewis,  Joseph 

Moses 513 

Rufus  G 

Rufus,  Jr 

Libbee,  Abraham. . . 
Libbey,  Abraham.. . 

Rpnia  min 

.192,  194,  263 
532,  533’  649 

698 

10 

Enh  ra  im 

George 

Joseph 

537 

Luke 

Ligget,  James 

Limes,  Richard 

503 

Lincoln,  Luther. . . . 

Lindsey,  James 

.440,  450,  453 

John 

Linkfield,  Benjamin 

Lion,  Humphrey.  . . 

25 

Little,  Benjamin. . . . 

84 

Bond 

668 

Caleb 

•33’  4O’  43’  44 

Daniel 84, 

86,  90,  92,  97 

Ebenezer 

230 

Enoch 

84 

George 

33’  38,  44 

George,  Jr 

85,  86 

James 

552 

John  . . .28-33,  38,  39’  44’  552 

Jonathan 

92’  94 

Joseph 27, 

33,  44.  84,  556 

Josiah 

185 

Lot 

44 

Micajah 

Moses.  . .27,  33,  36,  38-45,  84 

Samuel 

92’  97,  424 
84’  93’  97’  668 

Stephen 

84 

Thomas 

668 

Walter 

93 

William 

.209,  210,  212 

Littlehale,  Isaac. . . 

442 

Livermore,  Arthur. 

230 

Daniel 

35’  260 

Edward 

393’  554 

E.  St.  Loe 

555 

George  W 

230 

Matthew 

719 

Samuel 79,  226,  228,  456 

Livingston,  Isaac.. 

457 

589 

John  . .454,  458,  460,  646,  648 

Robert 

656 

647 

Livingston,  Robert,  Jr 647 

William. . . .472,  647,  653,  656 

Lock,  David 699 

David,  Jr 699 

Edward 4,  329 

Elijah 698 

James 24 

John 698 

Jonathan.  127,  699,  747 

Jonathan,  Jr 699 

Jonathan,  3d 699 

Nathaniel 109,  127 

Orson 324 

Samuel 1 17,  335 

Thomas 198-202 

William 1 14 

Logan,  Robert 445,  450 

Long,  Caleb 347 

Cesar 123 

Ebenezer 338 

Enoch 265 

Isaac 263 

Moses 271 

Peirse 694 

William 332.  336 

Longfellow,  Nathan 1 1 5 

Lord,  Charles  C 257,  264 

Nathaniel 76,  168 

Loring,  John 422 

Lougee,  Gilman 4 

Jesse 12 

John,  Jr 5 

Jonathan 12 

Joseph 5 

Nehemiah 12 

Pitt 5 

William 13 

Love,  William 204,  209-2  ii 

Lovejoy,  Abel 77 

Benjamin 204 

Hezekiah 472 

Isaac 487 

Jacob 76 

Jonathan 616 

Nathan 528 

Samuel 487 

Simeon 76,  77,  81 

Loveland,  Jonathan 25 

Loveridge,  Amasa 401 

Lovering,  Benjamin 329,  349 

Ebenezer 129,  329 

Moor,  Jr 488 


Moses 


487,  489 


820 


INDEX. 


Lovering,  Moses,  Jr 489 

Osgood 487,  489,  490 

Taylor 488,  489 

William  487 

Willoughby 489,  490 

Lovewell,  John 626,  629 

John,  Jr 275,  547 

Jonathan. . .276,  624,  626,  630 

633 

Jonathan,  Jr 632,  633 

'Nathan 357,  358 

Nehemiah 232,  460 

Noah 286,  633,  634 

Zaccheus. . .277,  547,  626,  629 

632 

Zachariah 232 

Low,  Joseph 1 14 

Lowell,  Gideon 490 

Isaac 490 

John 229,  23c 

Peter 398,  402 

Lucas,  Henry 1 14 

James 567 

Lucy,  George 71 

William 67 

Lumbard,  Stephen 507 

Lund,  Charity 593 

Daniel 634 

Ephraim 251 

Joel 634 

John 634 

Jonathan. ..... .626,  629-632 

Jonathan,  Jr 632 

Levi 634 

Noah 634 

Phinehas 276 

I Thomas  . . . .626,  629,  632,  634 

Thomas,  Jr 632,  634 

William 547,  626,  629 

William,  Jr 276,  547,  632 

Lunt,  Daniel 67 

John 1 12 

William 1 12 

Lutwyche,  Edward  G 239,  420 

587-591 

Sarah 239,  586,  591 

Lyford,  Oliver 708 

Stephen 597,  600 

William 597 

Lyman,  Daniel 492 

Tertius 224 

Lynch,  Maurice 452 

Lynde,  Benjamin 509,  510 


Lynde,  William 518 

Lyon,  David 219 

Ebenezer 643 

James 480 

Robert 480,  589 

William  . . .216,  462,  472,  477- 

480,  548 

Mabery,  Richard 552 

MacCluer,  Samuel — .166,  171,  173 

Mace,  Andrew 348 

Joseph 127 

Joshua 128 

Richard 146 

Samuel 127 

Macdorn,  Alexander 434 

Mack,  Abijah 576 

Andrew 469-471,  548 

Elisha 572 

John 450 

Robert,  Jr 449,  450,  453 

Solomon 572 

Mackintire,  John 357 

Macmurphy,  Alexander 548 

James 481 

John 340,  430,  432 

Robert. 453,  468,  475,  482,  484 

William 462,475 

Macreas,  Samuel 7 

Magoon,  Benjamin 349 

Jonathan 6 

Joseph .491 

Simon 349 

Major,  James 566 

Maloon,  Samuel 711 

William 583 

Malony,  James 754 

Malven,  Benjamin 280 

Manerick,  Antipas 761 

Mansfield,  Achilles 22 

Daniel. 737,  744,  747 

Mann,  Benjamin 580,  581 

John 506 

Nathan 506 

Samuel 366 

Thomas 453 

Manning,  John 634 

Stephen 373 

Manuel,  Moses 752 

March,  Clement 73,  543,  720 

George 722 

Israel 65,  66 

James 65 


INDEX. 


821 


March,  John 589 

Stephen 73 

Marche],  Thomas 678 

Marden,  Benjamin 698 

Benjamin,  Jr 698 

Edward 366,  407,  409 

John 306 

Nathaniel 698 

Samuel 306 

Stephen 698 

Marr,  Daniel  28-31 

James 28-31 

Marsh,  Daniel 481 

David 281,  556 

James 281 

Jeremiah 589 

John 13,  457,  458,  480 

Jonathan 281 

Joseph . . 191,  195,  263,  268,  548 

Mary  Ann 475 

Nathaniel 507 

Noah 12 

Onesipherous 612 

Perley 222 

Samuel 278,  281,  288,  457 

458,  548 

Marshal],  Benjamin.  .281,  283,  287 

Daniel 280,  281,453 

David 208-2 1 1 

Dr 390 

Ebenezer 668,  669 

Elijah 281 

Francis 140,  146 

Gideon 146 

Henry 283,  287 

Isaac 606 

John...  .173,  453,468,  481,  589 

Jonathan 668,  669 

Joseph 201,  202,  668,  669 

453,  468 

Richard 281,  453,  468 

Richard,  Jr 453 

Richard,  3d 453 

Robert 125 

William 84,  97,  98 

Marston,  Asahel 127 

Benjamin  M 116-119 

Benjamin,  Jr 1 18 

Caleb 109,  117,  121,  122 

Caleb,  Jr 1 17 

Daniel 48,  118,  119,  127 

David 121 

Elisha 121,  127 


Marston,  Elizabeth 689 

Ephraim. ...  102,  103,  105,  127 

129 

Isaac 108 

Jacob 127,  129 

James 1 17 

Jeremiah. ...  1 12,  1 17,  1 21,  127 

John.  .6,  12,  106,  1 16,  1 18,  1 19 

698 

John,  Jr 1 18,  1 19 

Jonathan.. ..  102,  105,  108,  117 

1 18,  129 

Jonathan,  Jr 1 1 7 

Josiah 128 

Nathan 71,  117 

Nathaniel 73 

Nathaniel,  Jr 67,  71 

Nathaniel,  3d 67 

Obediah 1 17,  121,  688 

Reuben  M 1 1 7 

Samuel in,  128 

Simeon 129 

Simon 127 

Stephen 127 

Thomas... 67,  73,  99,  loi,  in 

1 1 2,  1 14,  1 16-1 19 

Thomas,  Jr 73 

William no,  in 

William,  Jr 253 

Winthrop 1 1 7-1 19 

Martin,  Amos 558 

Daniel 253 

James 589 

James,  Jr 588 

Jeremiah 366 

John 598 

Jonathan 27 

Joseph 372 

Joshua 27,  36,  40,  547 

Luther 398 

Nathan 758 

Nathaniel 451,  472,  656 

Richard 391,  393 

Robert 473,  696 

Samuel 407,  547,  649 

Seth 5L55 

Thomas 622 

Mason.  Benjamin 121 

Daniel 698 

Jeremiah 67 

John 104,330 

John  T 568,  741 

Josiah 127 


822 


INDEX. 


Mason,  Lemuel  B 727 

Nathaniel 51,  55,  117,  121 

Perez 51,  55 

Robert 169-1 72 

Russell 50-55 

Simeon 14 

Stephen 9 

Masury,  James 556 

Mathes,  Abraham 394 

Benjamin 393 

Francis 392-394,  597,  600 

Gershom 490 

Gideon 392,  393 

John 392 

Joseph  490 

Samuel 391 , 392 

Valentine 304 

Maxfield,  Joshua 668,  669 

Joshua,  Jr 669 

Samuel 13 

May,  Hezekiah 503 

Maynard,  Stephen 404 

McAdams,  Samuel 453,  480 

William 468 

McAllister,  Alexander 449,  454 

Angus 437 


Ananias 648,  656 

Archibald 454,  472,  653 

Benjamin 196,  472 

Daniel 648-652,  656 

Daniel,  Jr 656 

David 436,  437 

George 452,  472,  480 

John. . .454,  644,  647,  653,  656 

John,  Jr 656 

Joseph 656 

William 436.  437,  589 

McBean,  Evan 494,  496,  497 

McCalley,  James 203,  208-212 

John 207-210 

Hugh 27 


Robert 33,  656 

McCartney,  John 452,  456 

McCarty,  John 463 

McCleary,  David 44,  452,  548 

John  . .207,  434,  435.  437,  480 

768 

Thomas 437,  452,  462,  480 


548,  588 

Thomas,  Jr 480 

McClenche,  John 480,  548 

Joseph 472 

McClinten,  William 436 


McClinto,  Michael 436,  437 

McClintock,  Alexander...  .204,  207 

John 204,  207,  210 

William 440,  548 

McCluer,  David 28-33 

James 548 

John 424 

Robert. 208,  457,  458,472,  548 

William 626,  629 

William,  Jr .424 

McClurg,  Charles 437,  440 

John  437,  533 

McColley,  John 694 

McColom,  Alexander  .437,  548,  644 

656 

Robert 548 

Thomas 648 

McConihe,  John 434,  594 

Samuel 594 

McConnell,  Capt 35 

Thomas 494,  495 

McCormick,  Archibald 440 

James 450 

Robert 594 

McCoy,  Alexander 28-31 

McCrea,  William 481,  526 

McCrillis,  John 393 

McCurdy,  James 434 

John 481 

Robert 434,  443 

McDaniels,  James 234,249 

James,  Jr 249 

John 585,  755 

McDoel,  William 28-31 

McDougal,  William 29 

McDuffee,  Daniel.. . .440,  449,  458 

463,  480 

John 192 

McElery,  William 594 

McFarland,  Daniel 28-31 

Nathan 440 

Robert 449,  457,  458,  481 

Samuel 28-38 

McFerson,  Henry 649 

James 28,  650-653 

James,  Jr 28 

John 28 

Paul 652 

William 28 

McGavv,  Jacob 592 

McGee,  Neil 463 

McGilvary,  John 424 

McGregore,  Daniel 440 


INDEX. 


823 


Mcgregore,  David 474 

James.  .430,  445,  447-460,  479 
483,  484,  554,  555 

James,  Jr 457,  458 

Robert.. .36,  40,  255,  554,  555 

Mclntire,  John 522,  605 

Timothy 609 

McIntosh,  Alexander 234 

Archibald 234 

John 654 

McKay,  Robert 481 

McKeen,  Alexander 366 

Daniel 309,  481 

David 457,  458 

James.  .430,  440.457,  459,  475 

481,  548 

John.  ..440,  445,  450,  457,  458 
468,  548,  588 

John,  Jr 457,  458,  470,  473 

474,  477,  481,  548,  589 

Samuel 440,  481 

Robert 440, 457 

McKenney,  Daniel 440 

McKenzie,  Joseph 656 

McKillips,  David 190,  194 

McKinley,  Thomas 484 

McKnight,  Robert 464 

McLaughlin,  David 656 

James 588 

John.  ..440,  472,  547,  644,  648 

John,  Jr 648,  656 

Joseph 589 

Lawrence 263 

Thomas 588,  650 

McMaster,  John 527 

Thomas 434 

William 434,  649,  650 

McMillan,  Archibald 653 

Daniel 647 

John 647,  653 

John,  Jr 473,  647,  653 

McMurphy,  Alex'ander. . ..449,  475 

546 

Archibald.  .458,  475,  548,  553 

Daniel 450,  462,  644 

James 449-458,  548 

James,  Jr 449 

John 75 

Robert 450 

Robert,  Jr 475,  485 

McNeal,  Alexander 440 

Daniel 204,  449,  453,  472 

John 209-21 1 , 662 


McNeal,  John  C 472,  552 

Josiah 449 

Robert.457,  458,  469,  479,  483 

Thomas 642 

William  , . . .434,  483,  644-647 

William,  Jr 647 

McQuesten,  Simon 419 

William 419 

McQuig,  David 418,  419,  591 

McWilliams,  Thomas 663 

Mead,  John..  1 13,  204-212,  584,  606 

Stephen 584 

Meader,  David  5,  13 

Joseph 391,  393 

Richard 140 

Meginnis,  Barnabas 652 

Melcher,  Benjamin 147 

John 5.  328 

John,  Jr 5 

Samuel  ....104,  107,  112,  137 

147 

Samuel,  Jr 147 

Mellen,  Charles 452,  650 

Henry 256 

Mellone,  Timothy 764 

Meloon,  Benjamin 697 

Ebenezer 140 

Mark 73 

Samuel 6 

Melvin,  Benjamin 314 

Benjamin,  Jr 314 

David 737 

Ebenezer 73,  76,  77 

Ebenezer,  Jr 76,  77 

John 560,  737 

Nathaniel 737 

Merriam,  Nathan 153 

William 533 

Merrick,  Joseph 94,  97,  281 

Merrill,  Abel 84 

Abraham 548,  550,  552 

Abraham,  Jr 548,  552 

Daniel 236,  233,  622 

David 272,  550,  552 

Isaac 281,  283 

John 84,  287,  363 

Jonathan 177,  201,  668 

Moses 548,  552,  558,  566 

Nathaniel 184,  192,  264, 

548-556,  566,  702 

Nathaniel,  Jr 281,  283 

Rev.  Nathaniel 274,  275 

Paul 5,  12 


824 


INDEX. 


Merrill,  Stephen • -335 

Meserve,  Clement. . . .288-291 ,711 

Clement,  3d 540 

Daniel 291,  539,  540 

Ephraim 291 

Isaac 291 

John 291 

Jonathan 288-291,  540 

Jonathan,  Jr 291 

Joseph  539 

Nathaniel 141 

Silas 291 

Messenger,  Esther 309 

Messer,  Benjamin 246 

Metcalf,  Abijah 308,  312 

Daniel 379 

Ezekiel 77 

Ezra 24 

John 219 

Michael 308 

Michael,  Jr 308,  31 1 

Oliver 308 

Samuel 77 

Miles,  Abel 737 

Abner 755 

Archelaus 756 

Noah 747 

Russell 399 

Samuel 755 

William 754 

Miller,  Alexander 453 

Archibald 435 

Benjamin 717,  727 

James 593 

John 153,  154,  452 

Jonathan 150 

Lemuel 399 

Lemuel,  Jr 452 


Miltimore,  John 484 

John,  Jr 484 

William 450,  452,  457,  458 

475,  483 

Miner,  Charles 398,  400 

Ezra 401 

Isaac 427 

Thomas 172,  399,  427 

Mitchell,  Bradley 466 

David 697 

Francis 253 

Henry 440 

James 365 

John.  ..196,  201,  202,  277,  392 

John,  Jr 202,  434 

Peter 698 

Samuel 435,  764 

Samuel,  Jr 445 

Thomas 466,  481 

William 365 

Moffatt,  Zebulon 225 

Monahan,  John 33 

Monroe,  Philip 25 

Thaddeus 206 

Montgomery,  David.  .445,  449,453 

General 460 

Hugh.  .440,  445,  452,  459,  481 

548 

John 185,  406,  450 

Mooar,  Jacob 251 

Joshua 609 

Moody,  Bradstreet 195 

Friend 283,  287 

Jacob 366 

John 4,  9,  13 

Philip 332 

Rev.  Samuel 673,  675 

Mooney,  Benjamin 6 


Matthew^ 

548 

Hercules. . . 

227,  450 

Nicodemus. . . 

573,  574 

John 

Robert 

131 

Moor  and  Moore. 

Samuel 434,  445,  548,  594 

Allan. .... 

Thomas 

28-38,  153,  154 

Andrew. . . . 

484 

Mills,  Amos 

93 

Coffin 

357,  359 

John 

84,  88,  473,  756 

Daniel 

233,  481,  652 

Thomas 

76 

Elkins 

756,  757 

Millikin,  James. . . 

452 

Ephraim. . . 

253,  709 

Millington,  Samuel 

375-380 

Ezekiel 

487,  759 

Samuel,  Jr  . . . 

377 

Fairbanks. . 

Solomon 

. . .372-380,  386 

George 

181,  449,  588 

Milman,  Dudley. . 

13 

Hannah .... 

84 

Miltimore,  Daniel. 

...452,  475,  483 

Harry 

365 

James.  .449,  452,  457,  458,  475 

Hugh 

440,  449,  456,  458 

483 

Isaac  

409 

INDEX. 


825 


Moor  and  Moore. 


James 28 

;-3i,  253,  440, 594 

763 

James,  Jr. . . 

593 

John.  ..122, 

153,  154,  429-434 

445-469,  475,  488,  489,  548 

John,  Jr 

754 

Joseph 

449’  556 

Josiah 

487 

Moses 

253 

Nathaniel . . 

487,  754 

Reuben .... 

552 

Robert 

452,  456,  457,  548 

556 

Sampson . . . 

449 

Samuel 

281,  445,  548,  550 

552,  556,  589,  755 

Solomon . . . 

648 

Theodosius . 

Thomas  . . . 

487 

Timothy. . . , 

153’  537 

Timothy,  Jr 

537 

William . . . . 

•44,  357,  359,  434 

480,  485, 

556,  588,  650,  652 

759 

William,  Jr. 

480,  589,  754 

Moores,  Edmund 

Herbert. 

424 

Parker 

More,  Asa 

634 

Morgan,  Edward 

216,  220,  224 

Isaac  

James 

Luther 

Nathan  H. . , 

• * 

Nathaniel. . , 

Reuben .... 

585 

Timothy  . . . 

131 

Morey,  Benjamin 

Israel 

424’  503 

James 

507 

John .... . , . 

507 

Macv 

507 

Samuel 

177 

Morrill,  Abraham 754 

Barnes 

457,  458,  481 

Benjamin . . . 

335’  337,  338 

David 

194,  263,  271 

Ephraim  . . . 

4,  5,  192,  263 

Henry 

287,  347,  348 

Hibbard  . . . 

Isaac 

Jacob 

336 

Morrill,  James 487 

Jeremiah 12 

John 263,  350 

Joseph 10,  13,366 

Laban 755 

Marl 265 

Micajah 5,  13,  14,  702 

Moses 487,  490 

Nathan  5 

Nathaniel 346,  348 

Oliver 490 

Paul 487 

Philip 348 

Samuel 489,  490 

Sargent 754,  756 

Simeon 457,  458,  481 

Thomas 13 

Timothy 584 

William 462 

Morrison,  Abraham.  .452,  466,  481 

David.  .435,  437,  454,  481,  755 

Halbert 434 

Hugh 440 

James 435,  451,  473,  566 

John.  ..435,  437,  445,  451,  453 

462,  466,  472 

John,  Jr 451.  461 

Jonathan 7,  13 

Joseph 452,  466 

Joseph.  Jr 452,  466 

Moses 1 52-1 54 

Robert.  . 14,  440,  445-458,  472 

480 

Samuel  . .4,  192,  194,  434-466 

480,  481,  548 

Samuel, IJr 453 

Thomas 434,  445 

William 14,  194,  263 

Morrow,  James 453 

John 453,  466 

William 453 

Morse,  Abel 708 

Abner 348 

Benjamin 91 

Edmund 84,  88,  93,  98 

Eli. 314 

Ezekiel ...  708 

Humphrey 483,  484 

Joshua 264 

Micah 48 

Moody 155 

Moses 93,  488,  489 

Peter 84,  86,  87,  91,  93,  94 


826 


INDEX. 


Morse,  Reuben 

314 

.Stephen 

Thomas 

23 

Timothy 

Morton,  Matthew... 

131 

Moses,  Aaron 

5»  487 

George 

5 

Joseph 

585 

Joshua 

585 

Samuel 

5 

Timothy 

392 

Mosher,  Michael.  . . . 

Moulton,  Abraham.  . 

326 

Benjamin. . • .73, 

III,  137,  147 
148, 328 

Benning 

707,  708 

Daniel 

. 12,  109,  330 

David.  . .93,  94, 

112,  114,  118 

Edward 

117 

Edward  B 

Elijah 

306,  489 

Elisha 

Ensign  John.  . . . 

Ezekiel 

Henry 

Jacob  

ii4>  115 

James 106, 

108,  III,  137 

Jeremiah 

Job 

494,  496,  497 

John 

109,  129,  330 

Jonathan. . . 108, 

III,  494,  496 

497,  499, 

616-622,  706 

Joseph.  106,  1 1 7, 

121,  128,  129 
490 

Josiah Ill, 

1 1 5,  125,  126 

Nathaniel 

Radmund 

147 

Reuben  

698 

Richard 

147 

Robert 

Samuel . 

108,  349 

William.. 84,  93 

, 94,  1 16,  121 
490 

William,  Jr 

Much,  Willice 

709 

Muchmore,  James.  . 

Mudgett,  Benjamin. . 

John 

Joshua  

14 

Samuel 

Scribner 

5>  13 

Simeon 

4 

Thomas 

4 

Munroe,  Josiah 

Munsey,  David 

393 

David,  Jr 

393.  395 

Murch,  James 

174 

Stephen 

Murdoch,  William.. . 

435.  441 

Murdough,  Samuel.. . 

Thomas 

Thomas,  Jr 

Murray,  Daniel 

James 

436,  437 

William 

Muzzey,  John 

. . .84-89,  279 

Thomas 

••••93.  97.  98 

Nahor,  Hugh 

424 

James 

416,  418,  424 

James,  Jr  

James,  3d  

591 

Naramore,  Abiel.  . . . 

Nason,  David 

Jonathan 

131 

Richard.  . . . 131, 

136,  140,  146 

Nay,  John 

John,  Jr 

117 

Neal,  Andrew 

709 

Hubartus,  Jr. . . . 

393 

James 

694-697 

John  . . .65,  464,  477,  478,  484 

587,  697 

John,  2d 

484 

Joshua 

72 

Levi 

483 

Richard 

697 

Samuel 

William 

697 

William,  Jr 

697 

Neally,  Andrew 

491 

Needham,  Stearns..  . 

247 

Nelson,  Charles 

503,  506 

John 

Jonathan 

13 

William 

12,  503 

Nesmith,  Benjamin., 

449 

James.  .440,  445,  451,  456.  461 

472,  480 

James,  Jr. . .440, 

457.  458,  461 
469,  470,  548 

James,  3d 

•■••. 548 

John..  .450,  457, 

458,  463,  475 
548 

John, Jr 

457.  458 

Jonathan 

472 

INDEX. 


827 


Nesmith,  Robert . . . .472,  480,  588 

Thomas 449,  458 

Nevins,  Benjamin 247,  252 

David 751 

Joseph 247,  251 

Tliomas 77,  612,  615 

Thomas,  Jr 76,  77 

William  ....  247,  612,  614,  632 

New  Castle,  Duke  of 331,  670 

New'comb.  Daniel  323 

Newell,  Elijah 743 

Newhall,  Jeremiah 77 

Newman,  Ebenezer 543 

Thomas 550 

Newmarch,  Joseph..  .685,  690,  721 

Newton,  Ebenezer 312 

Hezekiah 190,  192 

Israel 507 

John 337 

Nahum 191,  192,  195 

Nicholle,  John 345 

Nichols,  Alexander 481 

Jacob 480,  589 

James 480,  481,  585 

John 10,  492,  709 

Jonathan 50,  51,  481 

Josiah 264 

Moses 244,  267,  592 

Samuel  . . . .398,  400,  645,  647 

649 

Timothy 398,  400 

Nicola,  Lewis 465 

Nims,  Alpheus. 315 

David 308,  3 1 1 

David,  Jr 320  321 

Ebenezer 308,311,  312 

Eliakim 24 

Zadoc 24 

Noble.  Oliver 697 

Thomas 392,  395 

Norris,  David 755 

James 372 

Jonathan 372 

Zebulon 265 

Norse,  John 481,  589 

North ey,  David 410 

Eliphalet 409 

Norton,  Amos . . .491 

Benjamin 68,  71 

Benjamin,  Jr 68,  71,  73 

David 146 

Moses 146 

Simeon 68,  71,  73 


Norton,  William.  .71,  73,  112,  698 

Noyes,  Christopher  B 184 

Cutting 752 

Daniel 398,  400 

Elijah. 75 

Enoch 77 

Enoch,  Jr 76 

James 349 

Jonathan 366 

Joseph 84,  92,  94,  97 

Joseph,  Jr 93,  97 

Joshua  H 92,  94,  97 

Moses 366 

Nathaniel 366 

Oliver 194,  263 

Philip 27 

Samuel,  Jr 366 

Silvanus 401 

Thomas 366 

William 572 

Nudd,  Benjamin 67 

Samuel 67,  73,  106.  108 

Thomas 67,  117,  128,  129 

Weare 328 

William 575 

Nurse,  Benjamin 427 

Nute,  Abraham 61 1 

Andrew 603 

Daniel 291 

John 291 

Nutt,  Elijah  A 556,  557 

James 552,  556,  557 

Samuel 556,  557,  649 

William 440,  548,  552,  557 

Nutter,  Dr.  Anthony 142 

Anthony 717 

Benjamin 8 

Christopher  . ......  .727,  729 

Ebenezer 726 

Hateevil. . . .710-714,  726,  729 

Hateevil,  Jr 717,  726 

Hateevil  3d 726 

Henry 71 1 , 712,  729 

James 712,  717,  727,  729 

Jethro 729 

John  . .71 1,  712,  717,  726,  729 

Jonathan  W 727 

Matthias 710 

Matthias,  Jr 729 

Nathaniel 726,729 

Samuel 710,  717 

Thomas 727,  729 

Valentine 71 1 


828 


INDEX. 


Nutter,  William 729 

Nutting,  Benjamin 293,  303 

James 235 

James,  Jr 235 

Odiorne,  Benjamin 697,  700 

Eunice 688 

John 671,  687 

Jotham 120,  683 

Odlin,  Elisha 12 

John.. . . 253 

Olcott.  Benoni 25 

Simeon 317 

Oldham,  Abel 223 

Oliver,  Andrew 240,  241 

Olmstead,  Timothy 497 

O’Neil,  John 44 

Orcutt,  Jacob 503 

Ordway,  Daniel 487,  489 

Ebenezer 272 

Enoch 532 

Jacob ...  349 

John 172,  173,  374,  512 

Joseph 547 

Joses 488,  489 

Moses.  .485,487,  489,  490,  522 

Moses,  Jr 487,  489 

Nehemiah 589 

Ormsby,  John 398 

Orr,  Benjamin 359 

James 481,  559 

Jean 475 

John 28-31 

Orvis,  Samuel 224 

Osborn,  Isaac 169 

Jacob  490 

Osgood,  Abner 355 

Benjamin 315 

Benjamin,  Jr 31 

Consider 24 

Ezra 23 

Joseph 18 

Joshua 24 

Reuben. • • • 5,  13 

Samuel 5,  13 

Osman,  Henry 480 

Otterson,  David 452 

Joseph 452 

O’Wady,  Joseph 27 

Owen.  Benjamin 373 

Timothy  172 

Packer,  Thomas. . .65-72,  635,  638 
Thomas,  Jr 69' 


Page,  Abner 127 

Abraham 279-287,  458 

Andrew  12 

Benjamin 325,  326,  349 

Caleb 85 

Charles 328 

Christopher 1 1 1,  129 

Daniel 249,  708 

David  ..13,  128,  305,  351,  352 

355,  357,  359 

David,  Jr 351 

Elisha 1 16 

Enoch 27,  38-45 

Francis 108,  121 

Isaac 281, 453,  468 

Isaac,  Jr 281 

James 480 

Jeremiah.  . . .46,  I2i,  325,  389 

533,  659,  660,  661 

Jesse 91 

John. ...46,  1 16,  184,  185,327 

328,  393 

■John,  Jr 326,  328 

Jonathan 128,  585 

Joseph 1 14,  1 16,  121 

Moses 12,  14,  44,  357,  359 

Nathan 329 

Phinehas 172,  490 

Reuben 453 

Reuben,  Jr 453 

Samuel. .76,  114,  127,  271,  326 

Samuel  S 127 

Simon 350 

Stephen 128,  328,  329 

Thomas 116,  346,  350 

Theophilus 326 

True 5 

William 413 

Winslow 5 

Paige,  Ebenezer 4,  5,  13,  338 

Ebenezer,  Jr 13 

Ephraim 344 

John 340,  344 

Pain,  Amos 708 

Benjamin 12 

John 708 

Philip 4 

Richard 708 

Samuel  C 396 

Paine,  Noah 374 

Samuel 373 

Thomas 507 

Pallet,  Nathaniel 754,  756 

Palmer,  Abraham 507 


INDEX. 


829 


Palmer,  Amos 507 

Benjamin 485 

Christopher in,  117 

Ichabod 507 

James 484 

James,  Jr 484 

John 329,  598 

Jonathan.  ..  121,  326,  329,  556 

Joseph 1 12,  127,  328 

Joseph,  Jr 128 

Philbrick 326 

Samuel 105,  108,  in,  117 

127-129,  133 

Stephen in 

Trueworthy 487 

William 12 1 

Parker,  Abel 174 

Abraham 80 

Alexander. . .61,  152,  195,  526 

649 

Asa 172,  497 

Benjamin 233 

Daniel 744 

Ebenezer 488,  489,  744 

Ezekiel 169 

Ezra 224 

Ezra,  Jr 223 

Isaac 25,  642 

John 418,  419,  588 

John,  Jr 419 

Jonathan 419,  589,  629 

Joseph 247,  736-739^  745 

Joseph,  Jr 247,  744 

Josiah 615 

Lemuel 494,  497-499 

Leonard 737,  738 

Nathan 223,  744 

Obediah 578 

Oliver. . . 574 

Robert 392,  419,  424 

Samuel 496,  497,  732,  744 

Solomon 494-497 

Solomon,  Jr 494-497 

Stephen 737 

Rev.  Thomas 25 

Timothy 172 

William. . . .208,  210,  21 1,  419 

516,  518,  524,  547,  371 


Parkhurst,  John 

570 

Jonathan 

58 

Jonathan,  Jr 

58 

Nathaniel 

58 

Parkinson,  Robert 

445 

Parks,  Abel 172,  506 

Alexander 435,  453 

Robert 453 

Parrish,  Jonathan 263 

Parry.  Mary 10 

Samuel 10 

Parson,  Ebenezer 606 

Samuel 606,  609 

Thomas 609 

William 606,  609 

William,  Jr 609 

Parsons,  John 6,  13 

Joseph 10-17 

Kendall 299 

Thomas 7 

William,  Jr 13 

Partridge,  Reuben 312,  322 

Patch,  Benjamin 711 

Patrick,  William 194,  195 

Win 263 

Pattee,  Asa 31 

Day  . . . 366 

Jedediah 548 

John 31,  33 

Savory 366 

Patten,  David 588 

James 589 

John 449,  452,  588 

Joseph 589 

Matthew 417,  589 

Nathaniel 234 

Samuel 452 

William  346,  348 

Patterson,  Adam  ....  153,  154,  615 

Alexander 192,  450,  651 

David 484 

Gawen 73 

Isaac 191,  192 

James 434,  436,  437,  454 

James  W 193 

John 453,  548 

Joseph 191-193.  548,  727 

Josiah 192 

Peter 419,  454,  466,  548 

Robert 450,  453,  473,  591 

648,  652,  653 

Robert,  Jr 473 

Samuel 589,  652 

Thomas 453,  464,  533 

Paul,  David 457,  458,  473-475 

James 457,  458,  475 

Payne,  Elisha..  .369,  385,  386,  388 

John 169,  173 


830 


INDEX. 


Payne,  Samuel i68 

Payson,  Rev.  Seth 747 

Peabody,  Aaron 606,  609 

David 453,  468 

Isaac 656 

Nathaniel  ..268,  554,  555,  592 

Stephen 286,  511,  702 

William 606^609 

William,  Jr 609 

Peacock,  James 217 

John 217,  219 

Peake,  Lemuel 503 

Pearson,  Amos 512,  606,  698 

George 515,  518,  524 

Jeremiah 131 

Jethro 584 

Jonathan 512 

Jonathan,  Jr 606 

Joseph 186,  518,  585 

Mary 533 

Nathan 606 

Noah 264,  271,  272 

Samuel 345 

Taylor 585 

Thomas 606 

William 606 

Pease,  Benjamin - 584 

James 585 

Joseph 585 

Pelatiah 21,  22 

Peaslee,  Jacob 199,  201,  349 

Peavey,  Josiah 150 

Peter 528 

Thomas 528 

William  C 6 

Peck,  Ebba 372,  386 

Israel  W 50,  55 

Matthew 50,  51,  55 

Simeon 371,  378 

Walter 386 

Peirce,  Daniel 179,  719 

Ephraim 244,  245 

James 548,  550,  552 

John 555,  621,  622,  666 

Joshua... 65,  66,  132,  281,  550 
589,  720,  761 

Pemberton,  James 287 

Pendleton,  Bryan 99,  loi 

Penhallow,  John *497»  622 

Penney,  Oliver 379 

Perham,  John. . .548-551,  556,  557 

565 

John,  Jr 556,  557 


Perham,  William. 548,  550-558,  566 

William,  Jr 556 

Perkins,  Abraham 507 

Abraham,  Jr 127 

Benjamin 107,  112,  114 

Caleb 103,  1 1 1 

Daniel 131 

David 146 

Humphrey 105,  109,  no 

Isaac 506 

Jacob 77 

James.  .109,  114,  326,  698,  755 

Jesse 249 

Jeremiah 733 

John. . . 127,  291.  399,  585,  698 

Jonathan 487,  490 

Joseph 136,  472,  61 1,  698 

Joseph,  Jr 472 

Moses.  1 17,  127,  129,  598,  600 

Nathaniel  . .597,  599,  600,  755 

Peter 503,  507 

Peter,  Jr 507 

Robert 247 

Samuel 61 1 

Solomon 598-602 

Stephen 487,  490 

Thomas 65 

Timothy 291 

Wesley 733 

William 68,  755 

Perley,  Isaac 271,  272 

John 271,  272 

Samuel 76,  77 

Rev.  Samuel 618 

Perry,  Doctor 543 

Ebenezer 281 

Ichabod 763 

Obediah 256 

Peters,  Andrew 710 

James 191,  192 

John 710 

William 190,  256 

William,  Jr 271 

Pettee,  Asa 27,  31 

John 30,  31 

Pettingill,  John 283 

Phinehas 480 

Peverly,  Joseph 355,  356 

Phelps,  Alexander 424 

Barnabas 398,  400,  403 

Barnabas,  Jr 400 

Benjamin 400,  403 

Ebenezer 76 


INDEX. 


831 


Phelps,  Henry 77 

Joel 507 

John 252,  626,  629 

Martin 185 

Nathan 252 

Nathaniel 507,  512 

Samuel .76,  80,  507 

Samuel,  Jr 507 

Theodore 503 

Philbrick,  Abner 131,  137 

Benjamin 129 

Daniel 699 

David 128,  329 

Elias 585 

James. 127 

James,  Jr 127 

Jedediah 332-338,  34^,  35° 

Jeremiah 338 

John 131,  350 

Jonathan 699 

Joseph 4,  8 

Joseph,  Jr 1 17,  127 

Joses 698 

Reuben 698 

Samuel 1 27,  650 

Samuel,  Jr 127 

Thomas 1 14,  330 

Thomas,  Jr 330 

Philbrook,  George 72,  73 

Isaiah 1 1 2 

James 48,  109,  127 

John 65,  68 

Jonathan 103,  1 1 1,  1 15 

Robert  T 71 , 73 

Robert  T.,  Jr 71 

Samuel 67,  71 

Thomas 1 12 

Walter 355"359>  393 

Zachariah 1 1 i 

Phillips,  Amos 233 

Asa 216 

John 148,  149 

Mulford 566 

Pickering,  Abigail 393 

Absalom 73,  729 

Anthony 391 

Benjamin 727,  729 

Benning 10 

Daniel,  Jr .73 

Ephraim 725,  727,  730 

George 73 


James.  392,  393,  717,  726,  727 

729 


Pickering,  John. . .99-101,  112,  710 

717,  721-729 

John,  Jr 727,  729 

John  Gee 727,  729 

Joh“ 73 

Joseph 717 

Joshua 596,  713,  717 

Levi 729 

Nehemiah 729 

Nicholas 726 

Richard 727 

Samuel 71,  73 

Thomas 66,  717,  722 

Valentine 727 

William 68,  72,  727 

Pierce,  Benjamin 212 

Cyprian 216,  224 

Elisha 224 

Ephraim 252 

Franklin 203,  212 

Jacob 292 

Simon 252 

Stephen 738 

Pike,  Benjamin 149,  150 

Daniel 629,  632,  634 

Jacob 597-603 

James 43 

Jeremiah 585 

Joseph 326 

Henry 603 

Robert 328,  702 

Uriah 77,  8l 

William 584 

Pillsbury,  Benjamin 84 

Caleb 487,  490 

Isaac 488,  489 

Joseph 84 

Samuel 478 

Pindall,  John 170 

Binder,  Thomas 727 

Pingree,  Stephen. ..  .552,  557,  558 

565 

Pinkerton,  David 450,  459,  548 

John 457,  458,  548 

John,  Jr 450,  459 

Matthew 449,  459,  479 

548 

Pinkham,  Daniel 291,  538 

George 291 

Isaac 537 

James 537,  539 

James,  Jr 540 

Joseph 291,  537 


INDEX. 


832 


\ 


Pinkham,  Joseph  D 291,  540 

Lois 393 

Rufus 291 

Stephen 539 

Piper,  Benjamin 75 

Daniel 585 

Elisha 585 

John 6 

Jonathan 73,  487 

Nathaniel 229 

Samuel 75,  487,  489,  490 

Thomas 496 

William 229 

Pips,  Joseph 540 

Pitman,  Benjamin 291 

Ebenezer, 584 

Ebenezer,  Jr 585 

John 392 

Joseph 291 

Samuel 8 

Solomon 539 

Pixley,  Alexander 49,  55 

Benjamin 55 

Place,  Ebenezer 710 

James 710,  712 

Richard 711,  712 

Samuel 71 1 

Plaisted,  Ichabod 680 

Samuel 708 

William 8,  229,  708 

William,  Jr.... 708 

Plum,  David 201 

Plumer,  Jesse .585 

Jesse,  Jr 584 

John 84,  86 

Joseph 596 

Judith 84 

Moses 585 

Plumley,  Benjamin 172 

Plummer,  Abel 470 

Amos 585 

Bitfield 752 

Daniel 481 

Dodavah 393,  395 

Nathan 480,585 

Nathaniel 584 

Samuel 86,  346,  348 

Pollard,  Amaziah 656 

Benjamin 526,  737 

Ebenezer 281,  287 

Edward 589 

Isaac 349 

James 287 


Pollard,  John 281,  288,  547 

Jonathan 349 

Joseph 737 

Samuel 281,  287 

Thomas 283,  287 

Pomeroy,  Eleazer 314 

Dr.  Josiah 320.  322 

Pond,  Jonathan 312 

Poole,  William 251 

Poor,  David 92,  94,  97 

George 43 

John 71 

Jonathan 366 

Pope,  David 190,  192,  194 

Simeon 194,  263 

Thomas 190,  192,  194 

William ....  204,  206,  208,  303 

Porter,  Asa 178,  179,  186 

Calvin 503,  507 

Daniel 171 

Eleazer  M 372 

Elijah 503,  507 

Ezra 567 

Huntington 698 

Joel 567 

John 230 

Luther 503 

Nathaniel 369,  370 

Nehemiah 291,  733 

Peter 399,  403 

Thomas 503,  504,  507 

Thomas,  Jr 507 

Vine 403 

William 507 

Post,  Peter 507 

Potter,  Anthony 491 

Ebenezer 329 

John 73 

Samuel 746,  764 

Pottle,  Christopher 104,  in 

Powell,  David. ...  202 

John 6 

Moses 192 

William 199,  202 

Powers,  Francis 252 

Grant 245 

Isaac. .76,  77,  547,  61 5,  626,  629 
Jonathan.... 234,  547,  626,  633 

Jonathan,  Jr 632 

Nahum 751 

Thomas 247,  614 

Walter 14,  15 

Whitcomb 737 


INDEX. 


833 


Powers,  William 74,  75,  77,  80 


190 

Pratt,  Edward 73^ 

Henry 223 

Jeremiah 224 

John  738,  743 

John,  Jr 744 

Nathan 223 

Nathaniel 737,  73^ 

Noah 223 

Prentice,  John 16,  484 

Nathaniel  S..23,  314,  315,  576 

Prentiss,  John 368 

Jonathan 398,  ^00 

Nathaniel 744 

Presbury,  William  190 

Prescott,  Abraham 329 

Benjamin..  .117,  137,  297,  303 

326,  329,  697 

David 328 

Dudley 13 

Ebenezer 131,  137 

Elisha 131,  137,  147,  148 

Henry 686,  690-697 

Henry,  Jr 697 

James.. 102,  114,  147,  150,  330 

332 

James,  Jr 147-105 

Jeremiah 335 

John 340 

Dr.  Jonas 296 

Jonathan 13,  133,  137,  323 

Jonathan,  Jr 328 

Joseph 1 17,  329 

Joshua... 9,  1 14,  332,  335,341 

Martin 329 

Nathan 332 

Odlin 329 

Oliver 303 

Samuel 5,  13,  1 31,  136 

147-149,  328 

Samuel,  Jr 140 

Simeon 150 

Simon 329 

Stephen 13 

William 147,  243 

Presson,  John 179 

Preston,  Abner 764 

Asa 507 

Isaac 503 

Jedediah. . ..204,  208,  210,  212 
John.  .154,  155,  732,  734,  744 

747 


Preston,  Samuel 204 

Pressey,  Paul 344 

Price,  William 12,  14 

William,  Jr 12 


Prichard,  Jeremiah.  ..245,  246,  738 


747 

John 744 

Paul 743,  746 

William 738,  743,  747,  764 

Pridham,  John 690 

Priest,  Joel 225 

Prime,  Oliver 25 

Proctor,  Benjamin 744 

Cyrus 252 

Ebenezer 346,  349 

Ezekiel 249 

Jacob 481 

John 346,  349 

J onathan 346,  348 

Joseph 746 

Thomas 487,  490 

William 349 

Prout,  Joseph 481 

Prouty,  John 367 

Samuel 368 

Puffer,  William 306 

Punchard,  Benjamin 512 

James 512 

Samuel 516,  518 

Samuel,  Jr 516,  518 

William 512 

Purinton,  Joshua 131 

Phebe 326 

Purmort,  Joseph 674 

Putnam,  Ebenezer 316 

Ephraim. .. .512-616,  521,  523 

530 

John 522 

Joseph 152,  157 

Putney,  Isaac 194 

John 192,  194,  256-259 

Jonathan 266 

Joseph 257,  266 

Joseph,  Jr 265,  271 

Nathan 194,  263 

Samuel 256 

Stephen 267,  271 

William 265,  272 


Queen,  John 634 

Quigley,  John 649 

Thomas 649 

William 649 


55 


834 


INDEX. 


Quimby,_ Aaron.. 344,  346,  349,  418 

Benjamin 346 

Daniel 346,  349 

David 333,  346,  350 

Eleazer 142 

Elisha 349 

Isaac 264 

James 708 

Jonathan 264 

Paul 349  j 

Robert 131  1 

Samuel 346,  349  i 

Ouinby,  Zachariah 492  , 

Quint,  John 710  | 

Jonathan 727  | 

Joseph 726,  727  ' 

Thomas 726,  727 

Ragg,  Jaflfrey 714,  715,  718  | 

Ralston,  Abner 312 

Ramsey,  Hugh 230 

James 453,  471,  479,  484 

527 

James,  Jr 453 

John 435.445.  453.  527  | 

Robert 484  | 

William 453 

Rand,  Benjamin 47  | 

George 698 

John 694,  697  j 

Joseph 698  * 

Joseph,  Jr 698 

Lemuel 4 : 

Nathaniel 698  i 

Nathaniel,  Jr 698  \ 

Nehemiah 523,  524 

Richard 689  ] 

Samuel 697-700  j 

Stephen 699  i 

Thomas 699  1 

Thomas  J 698  • 

William 12 

Randall,  Daniel 755  i 

Ebenezer 393,  394  | 

James 671  i 

Job 392  i 

John.  .392,  395,  694,  696,  697  ' 

Jonathan 395,  487,  490 

Joseph 391,  392,  394 

Miles 391,  392  ' 

Moses 7 ' 

Nathaniel 393,  595  | 

Paul 696  ! 


Randall,  Richard 487 

Simon 392,  395 

Simon,  Jr 392 

Thomas 395 

William 61 1 

Randlett,  Levi 585 

William 585 

Rawlings,  Alice 719,  720 

Edward 717 

Eliphalet 490 

James 715 

John 67,  490 

Joseph 710,  714,  717,  727 

Moses 490 

Noah 727 

Paul 729 

Paul,  Jr 729 

Peter 490 

Rebecca 718 

Samuel 710,  714-716,  720 

726,  727 

Sarah 392 

Rawlins,  John 150 

Jonathan 393 

Thomas 393 

William 393 

Ray,  John 532,  556 

William 6,  8 

Raymond,  Jonathan 25 

William 428,  423 

Raynolds,  Robert 56 

Read,  Ezra 367 

John 434,  548 

Thomas 18 

William 251,  418,  419 

Reed,  Abram 454 

Hugh 684 

Gen.  James.  .20,  225,  243,  298 

569.  745 

Joseph 419 

Josiah 317 

Jotham 533 

Moses 758 

Nathaniel 737 

Robert 240 

Samuel 311 

Thomas 97 

Thomas  N 743 

William 224,  415,  591 

Reid,  Abraham 466 

George 451,  457,  458,  482 

483.  704 

James 440 


James 


INDEX. 


835 


Reid,  John 451,  466,  481 

Jonathan 477,  478,  481 

Matthew 440,  453,  466 

Matthew,  Jr 451 

Stephen 481 

Redford,  William 108,  109,  759 

Redington.,  Enoch 386 

Redknap,  G 681 

Redman,  John ..  106,  108,  110,128 

John  B 1 18 

Joseph 127,  129 

Tristram 123,  129 

Remick,  Benjamin 350 

Samuel 34 

Rendell,  Jacob 679 

James 678,  679 

Renkin,  Samuel 452,  457,  458 

William 457,  458 

Reves,  Ezra 357 

Reynolds,  Daniel 464,  482 

John 515,  518,  524 

Stephen 485 

Rice,  Benjamin 76,  159 

Charles 318 

Daniel 192 

Elijah 192 

Nathaniel 367 

Rich,  Jacob 223 

James 398 

Jonathan 503 

Richards,  Abigail 715 

Bart 597 

Benjamin 27,  40,  44,  710 

Bradley 95 

David 33 

John.. .598,  599,  600,  602,  710 

Joseph 711,  715,  718 

Samuel 27,  33,  35,  36 

Stephen O03 

Tristram 599,  600 

Richardson,  Asa 309 

Benjamin 13 

Bradbury 8,  617,  619,  620 

Ebenezer 410,  442 

Henry 442 

Jeremiah 4,  6,  13 

Jeremiah,  Jr 13 

John 39,  40,  43,  92-94,  97 

Joseph 8,  12,  309,  534 

Joshua 581 

Josiah 22,  321,  419,  591 

Josiah,  Jr 419 

Luther 405 


Richardson,  Math"^ 44 

Moses 93,  94,  97 

Paul 223,  314 

Robert 27 

William 84,  92,  94,  97 

Zachariah 589 

Richey,  Alexander ••454,  440 

Richmond,  Zephaniah 217 

Rider,  James  306 

Riggs,  Thomas 567,  568 

Rindge,  Isaac 305 

Rines,  John,  Jr 537 

Joseph 537 

Josiah 490 

William 61 1 

Ring,  Isaac 41 

Seth 717 

Ripp,  William 1 14 

Ripley,  Eleazer 224 

Levi 224 

Sylvanus 171 

William 224 

Rix,  Nathaniel 366 

Roads,  Thomas 71 1 

Robbe,  Alexander.. 91 

John 524 

Robbins,  Ebenezer 223 

Enoch 223 

Josiah 743 

Nathan 743 

Paul 407 

Samuel 222,  226 

Roberson,  Dinah 84 

Joseph 393 

Simeon 754 

Roberts,  David 398 

Ephraim 6 

John 1 13,  537 

Joseph 9,  702 

Merebah 84 

Robertson,  Peter 653 

Simeon 468 

Smith 206 

Robey,  Ichabod.105,  108-115,  332 

Thomas 103,  105 

William 632 

Robie,  Henry 131,  137 

John 131 

Samuel.  ..37-45,  146,  332,  337 

338 

Roby,  John 594 

Samuel 626,  629,  633 

Thomas 633 


INDEX. 


836 


Robinson,  Daniel 389 

David 1 13 

Douglass 526 

Eleazer 375,  377,  380 

John 267,  415,  416 

Jonathan 1 13 

Josiah 597,  598,600 

Peter 453 

Simeon 480 

Walter 597,  598 

Rockwood,  Micah 217,  218 

Nathaniel 306 

Thomas 219 

Roe,  Seth 503 

Rogers,  Abner 92,  97 

Daniel 179,  288 

Hugh 434 

Isaac 175,  490 

James.  .399,  400,440,  449,  463 

480,  589 

James,  Jr 399 

John 308,  449,  463 

Jonathan 398 

Joseph 76 

Josiah. 400,  403,  734,  737,  743 

Nathaniel 368,  399 

Richard 547 

Robert.  .11,  152,  288,  485,  526 

547 

Samuel 291 

Solomon 245 

Thomas 480 

William 6,  23,  452,  753 

Rolfe,  Daniel 206-212 

Ephraim 552 

Jesse 206 

Moses 480 

Rollins,  Aaron 583 

Joseph 1 13,  727 

Moll}^ 689 

Moses 1 13 

Peter 489 

Thomas 113 

Rolstone,  Alexander 314 

Romer,  Wolfgang  W.671,  679,  68r 

Root,  Elisha 306 

Ephraim 570 

Rosebrook,  Charles 357,  358 

Eleazer 359 

James 505 

John 357,  358 

John,  Jr 358 

Ross,  Jesse ...190,  192 


Ross,  John 463 

Jonathan.  II,  13,  192,  195,  357 

Lemuel 192 

Thomas 77 

Timothy 190,192,  195 

Walter 512 

Roundy,  Alvin 398,  400 

Samuel 398,  400 

Samuel,  Jr 400 

Row,  Edward 71 1 

Samuel 710 

Thomas 710,  712 

Thomas,  Jr 710 

Rowe,  Dr.  Benjamin 325,  328 

Isaiah 142 

Jacob 12 

James 22,  24 

John 21,  23,  512,  522 

John,  Jr 21 

Jonathan 328 

Joseph 329 

Nathan 140 

Pain 137,  140,  146 

Philbrick 13 

Philip 332 

Robert 115,  131 

Samuel 329 

Winthrop 328,  329 

Rowell,  Abel 271 

Abraham 271,  272 

Daniel 13,  335 

E>avid 552,  556,  557,  556 

Isaac 556 

Jacob 272,  348 

Job 3D  84,  556,  566 

Jonathan 30,  31 

Moses  . . .333 

Nathaniel .265,  272 

Thomas 199,  201,  202 

William 12 

Zebedee 556 

Rowing,  Andrew 756 

John 756 

Rowley,  Thomas 121 

Royce,  Jonathan 575 

Royes,  Samuel 399 

Rudd,  Gideon 174 

Ruff,  Benjamin 204 

Rugg,  David 24 

Nathan 314 


Rundlett,  Charles.  .11,  12,  1 13,  392 


Davud 392 

Jacob 13 


INDEX. 


837 


Rundlett,  John 393 

Jonathan 13 

Josiah 5,  13 

Nathaniel 332 

Runnels,  Daniel. 268,  462,  469,  548 

Job .391,  393»  394 

Jonathan 392,  394 

Jonathan,  Jr 395 

Joseph 6 

Miles 391,  392,  395 

Nathan 395 

Samuel 703,  706 

Russ,  John 552 

Jonathan 233,  550 

Russell,  Daniel 295,  296 

Dr.  Daniel 535 

Edward 754 

Eleazer 432 

George 234,  481 

Henry 673 

James 59T,  607 

Jason 579 

Joel 153 

Moor 184 

Olive 417 

Pelatiah 417 

Peter 518 

Reuben 629 

Samuel 234 

Thomas 419 

Sabins,  John 398,  400,  403 

SafFord,  Abraham 481 

Abraham,  Jr 481 

Benjamin 732 

John 481 

Nathaniel 733 

Saint  Clair,  Widow 84 

Salter,  Alexander 698 

Saltmarsh,  Thomas 27 

Samson,  Zadoc 358 

Sanborn,  Abner. 117,  131,  137,  140 

146,  149-151 

Abner,  Jr 140,  146 

Abraham  . . . 143,  327,  328,  336 
Benjamin . ..1 14,  131,  137,  147 
148,  330,  338,  349,  708,  754 

Bradbury 71,  72 

Caleb 125,  131,  140,  143 

146-150 

Daniel 1 17-1 19 

David 12,  328,  346 

Dudley 140 


Sanborn,  Ebenezer 131,  391 

Enoch 115,  131,  140,  349 

Ezekiel 595,  598 

Henry 328 

Jabez 73 

James 114,  585 

Jeremiah 12,  114,  326 

Jethro 346,  349 

Jewett 329 

John. .4,  II,  13,  100,  iio.  III 
1 14,  348,  349,  487 

John  O 347 

Jonathan. ..  117,  129,  332,  336 
346,  349.  490^  755 

Jonathan,  Jr 336,  349 

Jonathan,  3d 336,  347 

Joseph 1 14,  196,  199,  201 

708,  754 

Josiah 8,  114 

Lowell 13 

Mepheboshith 109 

Meshech  . . . . J 150 

Nathan 1 18 

Nathaniel. ..  1 14,  196-202,  330 

Noah 349 

Obediah 349 

Peter 336,  338,  346,  349 

Peter,  Jr 346 

Phinehas 393 

Reuben. ...  1 14,  128,  131,  137 

Richard 107,  114,  328 

Samuel 127,  333,  348 

Sherburn 201 

Simon 755 

Stephen 105,  109-112 

Theophilus . 140,  146,  198,  201 

203, 328 

Tristram 337,  338,  350 

Tristram,  Jr 337 

William.  ...  105,  1 12,  1 14,  1 17 
346,  349,  755 

William,  Jr 1 17 

Winthrop 127 

Zadoc 708 

Zadoc,  Jr 708 

Sanderson.  Bradford 357 

William 732 

Sanger,  Abner 322 

Benjamin 219 

Eleazer 31 1 

Jedediah 300,  303 

Nathaniel 217,  219 

Nathaniel,  Jr 224 


INDEX. 


838 


Sargent,  Aaron. 755 

Charles 44 

Chelles 466,  481 

Elias 27,  449 

Erastus 224 

Jacob 27 

John 27,  490 

John,  Jr 488,  489 


Jonathan ....  12,  204,  206,  208 

210,  21 1 


Joseph 44 

Joshua 487,  489 

Josiah 490 

Nathaniel 1 1 5 

Dr.  Nathaniel 685,  686 

Samuel 346,  348,  466 

Thomas 224,  487,  490 

True 40,  44 

True  worthy 449 

William 194 

Sartell,  John 737 

Sartwell,  Hezekiah 745 

Saturlay,  Jacob 140,  146 

Saunders,  Daniel 49~52,  55 

David 737 

James 51 

Joseph 27,  550 

Oliver 247,  481 

Samuel 10,  27,  466 

Savage,  John 515,  518,  519,  524 

Savory,  Samuel 481 

Sawyer,  Abner 84,  86,  92 

Amos 480 

Benjamin 410 

Daniel 709 

Edmund 38,  40,  43,  84,  86 

Edward 507 


Enoch.  ...33,  38,  39,  40,  42,  44 

45.  84 


Gideon 350 

Henry 291 

Ichabod 507 

James 350,  363,  629,  755 

Jedediah 298 

John 91 

Jonathan. ..  ,263,  270-272,  506 

615 

Joshua 84 

Josiah 607,  614 

Josiah,  Jr 607 

Joseph 84 

Matthias 4 

Reuben 350 


Sawyer,  Samuel.. 271,  272,  391,  393 

Thomas 507 

William 39,  40,  263 

Scales,  James 259 

Rev.  James 256,  258 

Scammell,  Alexander.  .35,  245,  463 

569 

Scobey,  John 440,  450 

Scott,  Abraham 224 

Ebenezer,  Jr 224 

George 450 

Henry 451 

James 224 

Jesse 224 

John 398,  400,  503 

William 297,  746 

Scoville,  Nathan 398,  400 

Thomas 399 

Scribner,  Stephen 6 

Seaford,  Jacob  76 

Searle,  Daniel.  ..547,  626,  629,  632 
John. . .547,  626,  629,  632,  634 
Jonathan.. . .278,  282,  283,  287 

Samuel 275,  626,  629-633 

Seavey,  Amos 699 

Andrew 281,  283,  287 

Ebenezer 698 

Eunice 687 

James 287 

John 694 

Joseph 55 

Nathaniel 283,  285,  287 

Stephen 695 

William 678,  699 

Secomb,  Joseph 336,  338 

Simmons 350 

Senter,  Abel 419 

Asa 463 

Benjamin 453 

Edward 229 

Isaac 202 

James io6,  108 

John 434,  449 

John,  Jr 436 

Joseph. .229,  616,617,  626,  629 

709 

Reuben 449,  453,  480,  589 

Reuben,  Jr 480 

Samuel 419.  449,  453,  591 

Simeon 249 

Sessions,  David 552 

John 29,  30 

Sever,  Caleb 346,  349 


INDEX. 


839 


Sever,  Comfort 169 

Elijah 349 

Elisha 349 

Robert 234 

Thomas 349 

Severance,  Albe 732 

Daniel 223 

Ephraim 332,  349 

Ephraim,  Jr 338 

John 349 

Jonathan 346,  349 

Jonathan,  Jr 349 

Joseph 528 

Nathaniel 629 

Peter 556 

Samuel 349 

Thomas 349 

Sewall,  Thomas 13 

Seward,  Josiah 24 

Samuel 23 

Shackford,  John 726 

Samuel 717,  722,  726 

William 213,  717 

Shannon,  Cutt 688 

John 694,  697 

Mrs 695 

Nathaniel 620 

Richard  Cutt 79,616 

Shattuck,  Benjamin 234 

Cyrus 217-225 

Daniel 216,  217 

Edmund 77-82 

Gideon 216,  217 

Isaac 234 

John 744 

Jonas 246 

Makepeace 216,  217 

Peter 744 

Sherman 744 

William 737-741 

Zachariah 247,  612 

Zachariah,  Jr 247 

Shaw,  Abraham 329 

Benjamin 105,  125 

Benjamin  B 127 

Benjamin,  Jr 1 14 

Caleb 107,  326 

Daniel 393 

David 328 

George 391,  392 

Gideon 1 17 

Hilyard 140,  146 

John ' 121,  229 


Shaw,  Josiah 107,  124,  125 

Levi 491 

Malachi 140,  146 

Moses 128.  326-329 

Nathan 329 

Nathaniel 399 

Roger 106,  108,  1 14 

Samuel 104,  114,  115,  131 

140 

Simeon 124,  127 

William 521,  522 

Sheafe,  Jacob,  Jr 700 

Sampson 697,  720,  721 

Shearman,  Ephraim 48 

James 409 

Jonathan 409 

Reuben 410 

Shed,  Daniel 234 

John 206,  209-21 1 

Nathan 38-44 

Shelden,  John 550 

Shellis,  James. 452 

Shepard,  Daniel  J 626 

756 


George, 


Israel 1 12 

Jacob 229 

James.... 93.  97,  98,  755,  757 

John.  .4,  13,  14,  226,  229,  450 

Joseph 229 

Richard 2^9 

Roswell 316 

Samuel 5,  227-230 

Sherburne,  Henry 671,  713 

Jacob 487 

Jethro 492 

John 1 14,  671 

John  S 175 

Joseph 134 

Samuel 487 

Sherwin,  Elnathan 632 

John 171 

Shield,  Alexander.. 503 

Shipple,  Oliver 656 

Shirley,  Alexander 560 

James 33<  5^0 

Samuel 39,  560 

Thomas..28-3i , 36,  39-46,  442 

Shute,  Samuel 429 

Sias,  Benjamin 486 

Charles 487 

John 393-395 

Joseph 390-392 

Sibley,  Joseph 25 


840 

INDEX. 

Sibley,  Samuel 

585 

Sleeper,  Samuel. 

Silloway,  Greeley 

349 

Thomas. . . . 

William 

336 

Tristram. ... 

Silsbv,  Samuel 

403 

William  . . . . 

Silver,  James 

Slingsby,  John . . 

Timothy 44 

Simms,  William 56 

Simonds,  James 366 

Jonathan 366 

Joseph 153 

Simeon 195 

Simons,  James ....  ...755 

William 755 

Simpson,  Alexander 454,  466 

Benjamin 755 

David 67,  71,  73,  507 

George 73 

John.  .466,  642,  691,  694,  696 

697 

John,  Jr 696 

Joseph 720 


,698 


Sloan,  David 503 

John 501-507 

Joseph 507 

Matthew 507 

William. 501 

Sloper,  Henry 487 

Smalley,  Francis 435 

John. . 435 

Smart,  Benning 265 

Caleb 265,  270 

Elijah 269,  270 

Joseph 265 

Smeed,  William 308,  31 1 

Smiley,  David 453 

William 296 

Smith,  Aaron 146,  169 


Robert 

507 

Abijah 

Thomas 

Abraham . . 

12,  335 

William 

.67,  68,  466,  506 

Abraham,  Jr 

William,  Jr  . . 

68 

Adam 

589 

Singleton,  John. . 

•347,  348 

Andrew.  . . . 

Sinkler,  Bradburv 

6 

Ashahel . . . . 

550 

John 

Benjamin.  . 

. 12,  121,  168,  521 

Joshua  

6 

522,  626,  629,  630,  633,  708 

* Richard 

6-8 

764 

Skillen,  Benjamin 

65 

Benjamin,  J 

r 708,  709 

Skinner,  Abel. . . . 

507 

Caleb 

355 

Amos 

638 

Chauncy. . . 

Ephraim  .... 

507 

Christopher 

• ••  -50,  5G  55,  73 

Joseph 

•..503. 

504,  507 

106,  108 

• Joseph, Jr . . . 

507 

Daniel. .349, 

393,  489,  490,  585 

Slade,  Samuel . . . . 

. ..[69, 

172,  176 

Daniel,  Jr. . 

349,  585 

Slapp,  Edward... 

37G  373 

Daniel,  3d . 

585 

John 

•37G  374 

David 

Simon 

••• • 379 

Ebenezer. . . 

8,  15,  17,  582-585 

Sleeper,  Aaron. . . 

333 

621,  701 

Benjamin, . . . 

•336,  349 

Edward  . . . 

Benjamin,  Jr. 

349 

Elijah . 

168 

Ebenezer. . . . 

•332, 335 

Elisha 

Edward 

•338,  349 

Ezekiel. . . . 

Gideon 

.196-199 

Francis.  . . . 

58 

Jedediah 

147 

Gideon. . . . 

175 

John 

...199* 

201,  349 

Hugh 

287,  453,  468 

Jonathan  . . . . 

349 

Isaac 

338,  694,  697 

Moses 201,  332,  336,  663 

Rev.  Isaac. 

14,  15,  16 

Nehemiah . . . 

350 

Israel . . 108, 

1 13,  398,  400,401 

Peter 

198,  201 

Jabez 

114,  131 

Richard 

349 

Jacob 

8,  566,  596 

IlNUEX. 


841 


Smith,  James 391,  409,  656 

Jedediah 217,  219 

John.. 27,  43,  44,  loi,  103,  114 
121,  171,  172,  194,  196,  201 
230,  285,  287,  453,  468,472 
516,  518,  539,  548,  554 
645-647,  656,  708,  709 

John,  Jr 121,  195,  287 

Johnston 654 

Jonathan. ..6,  7,  21, 25,  492,  574 

Jonathan,  Jr 7 

Joseph loi,  104,  107-1 13 

453,  488,  489,  708 

Joseph,  Jr 709 

Joshua 235,  249,  252 

Joshua,  Jr 249 

Josiah 264 

Moody 264 

Moses 192,  225 

Nathaniel 336,  488,  490 

Nicholas 585,  709 

Oliver 217,  269 

Page 279,  280,  287 

Parker 171,  173 

Reuben 646-653 

Robert 452,  453,  459.  475 

548,  709 

Richard 137,  267,  348 

Samuel.  ...13,  43,  46,  106,  108 
1 1 1,  1 16,  191,  192,  280,  287 
391,  392,  394,  503,  552 
645-648 

Samuel,  Jr 5,  287,  552 

Samuel,  3d 287 

Silas 48 

Stephen 1 1 7,  265 

Thomas. ..29,  30,  287,  453,  466 
468,  645,  656 

Timothy 13,  279,  280,  473 

Waldron 342 

William 4,  13,  15,  107,  128 

219.  335,  348 

Smyth,  Andrew 230 

Caleb 230 

James 230 

Joshua 230 

William 230 

Snell,  John 392,  395 

Samuel 390 

Snow,  Benjamin 273 

Henry 273 

James 364,  366 

John.  ..273,  277,  626,  629,  632 

634 


Snow,  John,  Jr 634 

Jonathan  547 

Joseph 277 

Soldger,  Joseph  H 349 

Solley,  Samuel 543 

Somes,  Timothy 7 

Soper,  Ebenezer 55 

Samuel 736 

Soule,  Ebenezer 216 

Ivory  216,  217 

Souther,  James 108 

Southmayd,  John 751 

Spaulding,  Abigail 235 

Andrew 732 

Benjamin 292 

Daniel .•  • • *355 

Ebenezer  ....... 399,  41 7,  446 

Edward 357,  359,  522 

Henry 235,  629 

Ji»cob 399 

Jesse 224 

Jonathan 247 

Levi.  ...154,  155,  512,  514,  521 

530,  535 

Reuben 281 

Samuel 593 

Silas 246,  252 

Stephen 192,  417 

Thomas 738,  744 

Thomas,  Jr 744 

William 235 

Spearing,  Joseph 710 

Spear,  Robert 28-33 

Speer,  Samuel 738 

William 732,  734,  737,  744 

William,  Jr 738,  744 

Spelgreen,  Stephen 194 

Spencer,  Humphrey 673 

Robert 312 

Seth 201,  202 

Zaccheus 398 

Spinney,  Mark 393 

Spokesfield,  John 488,  489 

Sprague,  Peleg 323 

Spurling.  Thomas 540 

Squire,  Daniel 191 

Stalbird,  Richard 306 

Stanard,  Charles 114 

Jonathan 140,  146 

Standley.  Joseph 266 

Stanford,  James 763 

Stanley,  Dennis 357,  359 

Jacob 263 

Joab 271 


INDEX. 


842 


Stanley,  John 295,  314 

Matthew 271 

William 264 

Stanton,  Charles 598,  600 

Elijah 598 

, Isaac 595-600,- 603 

Isaac  W 507 

John 598 

Stanyan,  Anthony 759 

Jacob 1 14,  1 15,  131 

James 104,  1 14 

Jedediah 140 

Jonathan 140 

Stark,  Archibald 547,  556 

Archibald,  Jr 547 

Charles 556 

Gen.  John. .193,  318,  541,  547 

55E  556,  565 

John,  Jr 556,  565 

Jonathan 556 

Moses 503 

William 343,  503,  547 

Samuel  ...-547,  54^,  55C  557 

Starret,  David 548 

George .734,  743,  747 

William 649,  736 

Stearns,  John 247 

Joseph 244-247,  612 

Jotham 168,  169,  247 

Nathaniel 220,  222 

Samuel,  Jr 612 

Timothy 737 

Stebbins,  Elihue 216,  224 

Steel,  David 445,  481 

John 435,  451,  453,  481 

John,  Jr 453 

Joseph 453,  468,  472 

Moses 209-212,  458 

Samuel 192 

Thomas 434,451,  528 

William 453 

Stellings,  Peter 597,  598 

Stephens,  Abel 506 

Jonathan  566 

Sterling,  Hugh 547 

Stevens,  Aaron 253,  487 

Abel 57-59,  168 

Abiel 490 

Amos 199 

Anna 84 

Archibald 84 

Benjamin 12,  27,  33,  44,  84 

86,  336-338,  348,  352,  356 


Steven,  Benjamin,  Jr. . . .27,  38,  39 

40,  44,  349 


Benjamin,  3d 38 

Caleb 490 

Calvin 206,  209-212 

Daniel 4,  8,  84 

David 556 

David,  Jr 33 

Ebenezer 13,  332,  336-338 

346,  547,  550,  552,  557,  566 

Ebenezer,  Jr 336 

Ebenezer,  3d 347 

Ephraim 552 

Ezekiel 548-557 

Isaac 235,  556 

Jacob 33,  668 

James 297 

leremiah 545 

Jesse 755 

John  . .349,  370,  391,  392,  395 
488,  489,  713,  727 

John,  Jr. 350 

Jonathan. . .27,  38-45,  86,  392 

395,  551 

Joseph 372,  393 

Josiah 481 

Josiah,  Jr 392 

Levi 84 

Moses 487,  490 

Nathaniel 33,  38,  113,  393 

395 

Nathaniel,  Jr . , .392 

Nehemiah 85 

Otho 84,  86 

Parker 94 

Phinehas 487-489 

Samuel. .84,  333,  515,  518,  524 

Samuel,  3d 347 

Simeon 490,  552,  634,  668 

Simon 755 

Thomas  . . .27,  33,  38,  44,  107 

Timothy 27,  33,  38-44,  93 

94,  551 

Dr.  Wait 84 

William 84,  288,  556 

Steward,  Charles 131 

David 142,  328 

Jonathan 131 , 142 

William 472 

Stewart,  Alexander 454 

Allen 633 

John 434,  451,  453,  503 

John,  Jr 434,  451 


INDEX. 


843 


Stuart,  John 466 

Robert 287 

Samuel 350 

Stephen 346,  350 

Thomas 194,  466 

Sticknee,  Lemuel 764 

Paul 764 

Zillai 764 

Stickney,  Amos 472,  480 

Daniel 353 

Daniel,  Jr ... 267 

David 267 

Joseph,  Jr 738 

Moses 292 

Samuel 656 

Samuel,  Jr 656 

Thomas 35,  191,  193,  205 

253,  263,  267 

Stiles,  Asahel 515,  518 

Barnard 487-489 

Barnet 755 

Caleb 244,  245,  252 

Caleb,  Jr 245 

Ebenezer 534 

Eli 239 

Jeremiah 308,  31 1-323 

. John 513,  532,  533 

Joshua 516,  518 

Moses 524 

Stileman,  Elias loi,  678,  761 

Stillson,  William 260,  266,  267 

462 

Stinson,  Archibald . 263 

David 651 , 656 

James 454 

John 454,  466,  556 

Nathan 454,  466 

William 263 

Stockbridge,  John 169 

Stocker,  Michael 267 

Samuel 270 

William 694 

Stockwell,  David 357,  359 

Emmons 351-361 

Stoddard,  Anthony 213 

David 386,  400 

Sampson 20 

Stone,  Benjamin 91,  216,  642 

Calvin 572 

Elias 732 

Eliphalet 568,  571 

Ezekiel 190,  192 

James 192 


Stone,  Nathaniel 737 

Thomas 192 

Stoodley,  William .....727 

Storrs,  Aaron 171,  173 

Augustus 172 

Constant 372,  382 

Hunking 372 

Nathaniel 377 

Story,  Jeremiah 265 

Jeremiah,  Jr 265 

Joseph 265 

Nathan 265 

Thomas 265,  266 

William  .44,  48,  398,  401,  402 

668 

Zachariah 265 

Stratton,  Daniel 737 

David ...  .303,  524 

Nehemiah 743,  746 

Richard 275 

Straw,  Ezekiel 266 

Jacob 265,  271,  272 

Jacob,  3 271,  272 

James 265 

John 199 

Jonathan 256,  259,  265 

Moses 256 

Samuel 265,  272 

Samuel,  Jr 271 

Streeter,  John 216 

Strong,  Benjamin 355 

Jesse 503 

Reuben ....  507 

Sturtevant,  Hosea 708 

Lemuel 507 

Sullivan,  John 181,  526 

Sulloway,  Benjamin  W. . .346,  349 

John 76 

Sumner,  Clap 386 

Rev.  Clement 314 

Thomas 18,  19,  501,  502 

Sutton,  John 757 

Michael 754 

Stephen 754 

Swain,  Abraham 584 

Benjamin.* 490 

Caleb 112,  1 1 5,  147 

Dudley 491 

Elias,  Jr 585 

Hezekiah 585 

John 12,  115,  131,  137,  147 

148,  585 

John,  Jr 5,  131 


INDEX. 


844 


Swain,  Nathaniel. . . . 

737 

Stephen 5,  12,  147,  148 

William 

104,  147 

Swan,  Israel 

John 

764 

Josiah 

275 

Sweat,  Benjamin. — 

•73,  131,  333 

Benjamin,  Jr . . . . 

131,  137,  342 

Daniel 

131 

David 

131 

Elisha 

•••5,  13,  332 

John 12,  332,  349,  490 

John,  Jr 

336 

Jonathan 

137 

Joseph 103, 

104,  1 14,  1 15 

Moses 

Nathan 

347,  349 

Peter 

346,  348 

Stephen 

131 

Stockman 

174 

William 

347,  348 

Sweeney,  Bryan 

John 

Sweet,  Benjamin.  ... 

333,  338 

Elisha 

337,  338,  339 

Nathan 

337 

Sweetland,  Daniel. . . 

386 

Josiah 

386 

Symonds,  Green 

552 

Joseph 

.204,  207-212 

Nathaniel 

.209-211,  481 

Samuel 

William 

.204,  209-21 1 

Taggart,  Archibald.. . 

James.  .207,  208,  440,  445,  450 
457,  458,  763 

John 

440 

Joseph 

Patrick 

440,  594 

Robert 

Thomas 

457,  458,  548 

William  . . . .204, 

206,  208,  210 
212 

William,  Jr 

Tall  ant,  Hugh 

86 

Tappan,  James 

335,  350 

John 

350 

Taplain,  John 

515,  518 

Tarbell,  David 

John 

579 

Tarbox,  Ebenezer. . . 

.281,  468,  636 

Tarlton,  Elias 

Tarlton,  John 694-696 

Molly 69,  71 

Richard  . . .68,  72,  73,  696,  697 

Tasker,  Ebenezer 537,  539 

Ebenezer,  Jr 540 

John 537 

William 540 

Tash,  John 392,  595 

Thomas 342,  701-705 

Thomas,  Jr 706 

Patten,  Isaac 398 

Taylor,  Adam.  . .451,  457,  458,  475 

481 


Benjamin. . .113,  626,  629,  632 

634 

Benjamin,  Jr . . . . 

Chase 

8 

Daniel 

David.  .398,  400,  457,  458,  475 

Eldad 

172,  174 

Hollis 

Jacob 

James 

475,  589,  592 

John. 10,  106, 

III,  1 17,  121 
458,  475,  481 

589 

124,  449,  457, 

John,  Jr 

475,  481 

John, 3d 

475 

Jonathan  ....  10, 

1 1 1,  1 14,  251 
398,  400,  610 

Joseph 108, 

III,  120,  129 

Joseph, Jr 

Lemuel 

Matthew 

449,  451 

Medad 

Nathan 

Reuben 

•732,  738,  744 

Richard 

III,  1 17,  121 

Samuel 451,  457,  475,  481 

Simeon 

Thaddeus 

738 

Thomas 

14,  219 

Timothy 

592 

Wiggin 

William.  .76,  1 73, 

277,  450,  457 

458,  475, 

481,  516,  518 

Zebedee 

744 

Tebbetts,  Edmund  . . 

598 

Nathaniel 

537 

Samuel- 

Temple,  Benjamin  . . 

Ebenezer 

571 

Templeton,  Adam . . . 

INDEX. 


845 


Tenney,  Andrew 

Daniel 265, 

David 1 72, 

John 172, 

Jonathan 

Reuben 169,  1 72, 

Robert 

Silas 168,  169,  172, 

William 244,  263, 

Tewksbury,  John 

Thacher,  Elisha 

John 400, 

Thayer,  Henry 

Thing,  Dudley 

Jonathan 

Winthrop 

Thomas,  Benjamin. ..  106,  108, 


Daniel 216, 

Elisha 703, 

Israel 

James 121, 

John 594,  739,  745, 

Jonathan 

Nathan 216, 

Philip 297, 

Samuel,  Jr 

Stephen  J 727, 

Thompson,  Abraham 

Alexander 

Benjamin 348, 

Ebenezer. . 10,  35,  78,  138, 
141,  163, 

David 594, 

Hugh 


James.  .437,  451,  454,  462, 
480,  488,  548,  552, 
John. 48,  71,  229,  449,  452, 
501,  507,  524,  552,  588, 

Jonathan 392,  393, 

Joshua 548, 

Mr 

Nathaniel 227, 

Pelatiah 393, 

Prince 

Robert.  392,  429,  453,  470, 
Samuel.  .66,  331;,  392,  436, 

449>  454,  463,  589,  710, 

Seth 

William.  .12,  46,  436,  437, 

524, 

Thom,  Benjamin 

Isaac 466- 

William 


Thorndike,  Joseph 296,  298 

Thomas,  Francis 761 

Thornton,  Matthew. . . 163,  239,  370 
445,  449,  452,  467,  469,  586 

588 

Thurber,  Benjamin 264 

Francis 264 

Thurston,  Benjamin 13 

Enoch 550 

John 12 

Joseph 67 

Samuel 12 

Tibbetts,  Henry 505 

Robert 6 

Samuel,  Jr 599 

Thomas 715 

I Tidder,  James  737,  743,  744 

I Tiffany,  Benjamin 27 

Dr 167,  172 

Gideon 174,  384 

James 172 

Tilden,  Charles 373,  379,  384 

Elisha 373,  374 

Joel 384 

Joseph 372,  379,  384 

Joseph,  jr..  .372,  375,  377,  380 

384 

Stephen.  . . .373,  374,  379,  384 

Tillotson,  Daniel,  Jr 507 

Tilton,  Benjamin 143,  146-150 

329 

Caleb 147-150 

Daniel 102,  107,  350 

Eavid 1 1 2,  1 14,  346,  349 

Ebenezer 147 

Jeremiah 329 

Jethro 114,  1 15 

John 13,  131,  137,  201 

Jonathan.  . .131,  137,  148,  213 

228 

Jonathan,  Jr 146 

Joseph.  1 14,  115,  131,  487,  491 

492 

Josiah 335,  350 

Michael 147,  1 50 

Nathan.  131,  137,  147,  148,487 
Nathaniel. ......  13,  350,  490 

Peter 147,  1 50 

Philip 348 

Richard 349 

Samuel 13,  1 12,  137 

Sherburne 199,  201 

Stephen 147 


174 

271 

173 

174 

287 

174 

210 

174 

567 

263 

398 

401 

224 

14 

.14 

.14 

114 

224 

704 

216 

603 

746 

118 

224 

298 

216 

729 

•493 

,277 

486 

140 

393 

671 

551 

466 

553 

454 

711 

395 

734 

.421 

229 

395 

.756 

548 

437 

722 

.61  I 

507 

764 

•453 

-484 

•453 


INDEX. 


846 


Tilton,  Timothy 131 

William 487,  490 

Tinney,  David 168 

Joseph 737 

Silas 168 

Tirrel,  Jesse 84 

Tisdale,  Barna 379 

Titcomb,  Edmund 335 

Moses 263 

Tobey,  Isaac 142 

Todd,  Andrew. . 189,  437,  441,  447 

456,  548 

Andrew,  Jr 548 

John 29 

Samuel 437 

Tolford,  Joshua 77,  196-199 

Tomlinson,  John 741 

ToplifF,  Calvin 172 

Toppan,  Christopher.  124,  126,  128 

Torr,  Andrew 393 

Towle,  Benjamin 114,  117 

Benjamin,  Jr 1 16 

Caleb..  .105,  108,  III,  1 14,  117 

129,  344,  346,  350 

Caleb,  Jr 1 16,  344 

Ebenezer.  . .489,  490,  663,  668 

Elisha 127 

Elisha,  Jr 128 

Francis 1 16,  330 

Jacob 487,  488,  490 

James.  .116,  1 17,  121,  128,  346 
349,  708,  755 

Jeremiah 1 17,  349 

John 1 16 

Jonathan 1 16 

Jonathan,  Jr 121 

Joseph.  109,  III,  1 14,  1 16,  128 

129 

Joseph,  Jr 121,  122 

Josiah 708 

Nathan 33 

Paul 664,  668 

Philip 107,  125,  126 

Robert 230 

Zachariah. . . 1 16,  121,  129,213 

Towne,  Archelaus..  . .615,  656,  738 

Bartholomew 614 

Edmond 734,  738 

Elijah 480 

Elisha 614 

Ezra 734,  736,  744-747 

Francis 314 

Gardner 614 


Towne,  Jabez 453 

Jonathan 614 

Joseph 658 

Moses 589,  607 

Nehemiah 317 

Richard . 524 

Samuel 511,  606,  656 

Thomas 614 

Townsend,  Thomas 192,  195 

Ziba 202 

Tracy,  Reuben 349 

Train,  Ephraim 208,  210,  212 

Treadwell,  Jacob 288 

John 13 1 

Treat,  Dr.  M 371 

Tredick,  Edward 697 

William. . 696 

Trefethen,  Abraham. . 689,  694,  696 

Abraham,  Jr 694,  696 

Henry 678 

Sampson 697 

Trickey,  Ephraim 291 

James 291 

John 710 

Jonathan 717,  727 

Joseph 727 

Joshua 717 

Thomas 710 

Triggs,  William 599 

True,  Daniel 346,  349,  489 

Rev.  Henry 84 

John 92,  97,  98,  350 

Reuben 346,  347 

Trundy,  William 695 

Trussed,  Henry 86 

John 264 

Moses 265 

Reuben 267 

Tubbs,  Abishai 574 

Tuck,  Jesse 143 

John...  102,  103,  108,  1 14,  1 15 

Jonathan 1 17 

Samuel 143 

Tucker,  Benjamin 566,  567 

Benoni 192 

Ezra 264 

Francis 678 

Ichabod 507 

Jacob 12,  266 

Rev.  Jedediah 17 

John 5,  263,  346 

Joseph 346,  348 

Lemuel 86 


INDEX. 


847 


Tucker,  Moses. ..571,  732,  734,  737 

738^  744 

Richard 342 

Samuel 332,  337 

Swallow 334 

Voden 507 

Tuckerman,  John 694 

Tufts,  Henry 392 

John 454,  556 

Nathaniel 289 

Thomas 392 

Turner,  James 297 

William 294,  296 

Tuttle,  George..  .391,  393,  394,  395 

George,  Jr 395 

John 108,  109 

Joseph 393 

Jotham 27 

Nicholas 595 

Simon 27,  38 

Stephen 33,  39 

Thomas 393 

Tuxbury,  Benjamin 93,  94,  97 

Josiah 349 

Twist,  Jonathan 738 

Twitched,  Benjamin 31 1 

Daniel 31 1 

Twombly,  Benjamin 357 

Daniel 539 

Ezekiel 540 

James 357 

John 540 

Paul 603 

Reuben 540 

William 538,  540 

Tyler,  Adonijah ...  190 

Asa 507 

Daniel 263 

Jeptha 190 

Joshua 190 

William 264 

Tyng,  Jonathan 231 

Tyson,  Thomas 440 

Underhill,  Josiah 560 

Underwoocl,  James.  . .419,  420,  422 

533,  733 

Jeremiah 737 

Jeremy 298 

Jonathan 308 

Phinehas 288,  547 

Usher,  Gov.  John no,  330,  670 

John 415 


Vance,  David 434,  443 

James 668 

William 456 

Varney,  Nathaniel 595 

Varnum,  Ebenezer 756 

Veasey,  Daniel 708 

Vickere,  Benjamin 594 

John 593 

Thomas 594 

Thomas,  Jr 593 

Vinard,  William 694,  696,  697 

Vincent,  Anthony 726,  729 

John 712,  726 

William 726 

Virgin,  Ebenezer 264 

Jeremiah 758 

Vorbach,  John 410 

Philip 407,  409 

Vose,  Thomas  V 38,  39,  43 


Waite,  Thomas 114 

Samuel 350 

Waddell,  James. 457,  459,  475,  548 

John 457,  458 

Wade,  Edward 150 

Wadleigh,  John 13 

Joseph 329 

Nathaniel 583 

Robert 259 

Wadley,  Aaron 366 

Benjamin 337 

Daniel 349 

John 449 

Jonathan 755 

Joseph 132,  324 

Moses 94 

Thomas 84,  93 

Wadsworth,  Samuel 192,  314 

Wakefield,  William 375,  377 

Walcot,  Stephen 171 

Waldo,  Calvin 173 

Waldron,  Col 65 

Ezra 264 

Jacob 267 

Richard 3,  135 

Thomas  W 140,  141,  719 

Wales,  George 372 

Walker,  Alexander 27-30,  34 

37-44 

Andrew 645,  646 

Bruce 253 

Col 7,  52 

Edward 711,  717 


INDEX. 


848 


Walker,  James 76,  253 

Jesse 738,  744 

John 281,  734,  737,  743 

Josiah 352 

Nathan 744 

Peter 172 

Samuel 726,  727,  744 

Seth 367 

Silas 28-31,  472 

Timothy,  Jr 253 

William 556,  632,  756 

Wallace,  Fernald 392 

George 457,  459 

James.  . 194,  263,  436,  437,  440 
445,  452,  456-559.  468-471 
606,  609 

John.  . .435,  437,  445,  450,  453 
457,  458,  477,  609 

Jonathan 484 

Joseph 436,  437,  609 

Matthew 292 

Robert  . 194,  434-437,  445,  457 

458,  529 

Samuel 453 

Thomas 435-437,  445 

William 194,  436,  437,  445 

450,  452,  477,  478,  484 
Wallingford,  David..  .246,  247,615 

John 710 

John,  Jr 71 1 

Wallis,  George 671 

Joseph 434 

Matthew 234 

Samuel,  Jr 698 

William 69 

Walls,  Joshua 488 

Walton,  George 444,  71 1,  713 

714,  717,  718 

James 744 

John 71 1 

Josiah 737,  738,  743 

Josiah,  Jr 744 

Shadrach 1 12,  679 

Simeon 709 

Ward,  Abel 114,  326 

Carter 409 

Daniel 709 

Henly 216 

Isaac 751 

Jeremiah 709 

Jesse 195 

Joseph .195 

Josiah 190,  192,  195,  223 


Ward,  Melcher 147,  150 

Phinehas 192,  195 

Richard 606 

Thomas 105,  ill,  114 

Wardwell,  Solomon.  .248,  251,  640 

Ware,  John 435 

Nathaniel 309 

Ziba 224 

Warner,  Daniel 632,  604,  720 

John 481,  747 

John,  Jr 481 

Jonathan 393,  700 

Joseph 361 

Nathaniel 481 

Warren,  Asahel 171,  172 

Dr.  John 296 

Joseph 662,  737,  738,  744 

Josiah 472,  648,  655,  656 

Samuel 223 

J 239 

Thomas 648 

Washburn,  Lebeus 507 

Simeon 22 

Wason,  James.. 280,  283,  285,  287 

Samuel 278,  285,  287 

Thomas 280,  285,  287 

Waterman,  Jacob 50Q 

Seth 507 

Silas 369,  374,  379 

Waters,  Hezekiah 379 

Watkins,  Abner 287 

Jane 694 

John 684 

Lewis 224 

Watson,  Abraham 333 

Andrew 391,  392 

Daniel 256,  395 

David 597,  598,  601 

Eleazer 487 

Nathaniel 65 

Samuel 392 

Zebediah 13 

Watts,  Hugh 480,  548 

James 480 

John  . .452,  458,  461,  480,  548 

Moses 449,  452,  461,  480 

Moses,  Jr 480,  548 

Waugh,  James 653 

John 526 

Joseph 429 

Robert 472,  527,  653,  732 

William 653 

Way,  Benjamin 400,  403 


INDEX. 


849 


Way,  John.  398,  400,  403 

Benjamin,  Jr 398 

Nathaniel 398-40 1 

Samuel 497,  499 

Thomas 403 

Wells 576 

William 400 

Weare,  Daniel 114,  127 

Edward 1 14 

John  ..133,  324,  326,  445,  449 

Joseph 326 

Meshech.. . . 131,  136,  138,  140 

146,  164,  182,  319 

Nathan 140,  146 

Nathaniel 136,  328 

Peter 113,  114,  130,  132 

Robert 434,  441 

Samuel  ....125,  140,  149,  150 

Webber,  John 262,  263,  71 1 

Nathaniel 363 

Richard 264 

Thomas 262,  265 

Webster,  Abel 232,  628,  630 

Amos 557,  558,  565 

Andrew 333,  335 

Barnum 342 

Benajah 634 

Benjamin 337~339 

Caleb 92,  348 

Daniel 106,  256 

David 229,  230,  342,  552 

556-558,  565,  666 

David,  Jr 229 

Ebenezer. . . 106,  108,  109,  330 

332,  335,  338 

Eliphalet 350 

Enos. 552,  556 

Ephraim 199-202 

Ezekiel 106 

Gideon 349 

Iddo 342 

Isaac 106,  III 

Israel 552,  556-558,  565 

Jacob 346,  349 

Jeremiah 337,  349 

Jeremy 332,  335 

John  .84,  86-89,  1 14,  332,  335 

342,  552,  557,  558,  565 

John,  Jr 1 14,  332,  335,  338 

557,  565 

Jonathan 333,  342 

Joseph 92,  666,  668 

Joshua 336,  338,  344 

56 


Webster,  Nathaniel 13 

Samuel 332,  337,  338,  342 

Thomas 106,  330 

Thomas,  Jr 109,  335 

William 195,  230 

Wedgewood,  Daniel 105 

David 699 

James 73,  125 

John Ill,  1 17-1 19 

Jonathan 699 

Weed,  Jacob 9 

Weeks,  Benjamin 4,  13,  14 

Brackett ...  .64 

Ebenezer 585 

George 71,  73 

Ichabod 71,  73 

John  . .13,  67,  71,  73,  124,  142 

355-360 

John,  Jr 71 

John  L 13 

John  W 360 

Jonathan 65 

Joseph 65 

Joshua. 65,  66,  71,  73,  754,  756 

Josiah 14,  72 

Matthias 13 

Matthias,  Jr 13 

Nathaniel 14,  490 

Noah 14 

Phinehas 68 

Samuel 65,  66,  526 

William 68,  71,  73 

Welch,  Aaron 350 

Benjamin 333 

Joseph 332,  350 

Moses 350 

Samuel 332 

Wellman,  Jacob 512 

Jedediah 312 

Samuel 224 

Wells,  Aaron 27,  150 

Abraham 668 

Ezekiel 27 

Jacob 196-201 

John 473 

Joseph 146,  150 

Joshua. 489 

Moses 27,  547 

Moses,  Jr 25 

Philamon 337 

Reuben 196,  201-203 

Samuel 698 

Simon 698 


INDEX. 


850 


Wells,  Stephens 490 

Thomas 22,  201,  379 

Timothy 43,  215 

Wendall,  John 497 

Wentworth,  Benning 424 

Henry 6 

Hunking 719 

John 6,  134,45  s 

Major  John 226 

Joshua 506,  616,  723 

Mark  Hunking 288,  424 

Moses 599,  602 

Nathaniel 595-600 

Samuel 227 

West,  Francis 398 

John 754 

Jonathan 754 

Wesson,  Ephraim 187 

Isaac 297 

Lucy 297 

John 560 

Wetherbee,  Samuel 307,  316 

Weymouth,  Dennet 393,  537 

George 14 

William 392,  395 

Wheat,  Benjamin 734 

Jonathan 737 

Joseph 252 

Wheatley,  Andrew 379 

John 370,  379,  387 

Luther. 373 

Wheaton,  Simon 55 

Wheeler,  Abraham 224,  315 

Abraham,  Jr 315 

Cornelius 400,  403 

Daniel 612 

David 398,  570 

Fortunatus 207 

James 612 

John 348,  743 

John,  Jr 738,  744 

Jonas 154,  736 

Josiah 219,  224 

Noah 155 

Peter 232 

Richard 743 

Resolved 398,  402 

Samuel 744 

Seth 743,  747 

Solomon 347 

Thaddeus 247 

Wilder 263 

William 744 


Wheeler,  William,  Jr 744 

Zadoc 315 

Wheelock,  Eleazer 169,  171 

Rev.  Eleazer 159 

Ithamar 743 

Joel 737 

John 169 

Ralph 173 

Timothy 737 

Timothy,  Jr 744 

Whicherweed,  John 541 

Whidden,  Ichabod 395 

James 72 

Whipple,  Joseph 131,  136,  303 

306,  355 

General 296 

Whitcher,  William 335,  336 

Whitcomb,  Benjamin 181,  407 

409 

Charles 192 

Jacob 190,  192 

John 407,  409 

Josiah 407,  410 

Reuben 192 

White,  Andrew 652 

Edward 696 

Ephraim 480,  548 

John 213,  272,  314 

Joseph 181 

Joshua 696,  697 

Josiah 140 

Nathan 696,  697 

Phillips 149 

Robert 644,  648,  652,  656 

692-697 

Robert,  Jr. 656 

Samuel 472,  480,  548 

Thomas  548 

William 392,  557,  565,  646 

656 

William,  Jr 646,  656 

Zachariah 649 

Whitehouse,  Charles 598,  600 

Daniel 597,  6or,  602 

John 597,  599,  600,  602 

John,  Jr 599,  603 

Jonathan. . 599,  600,  603 

Moses 598,  600 

Paul 599,  603 

William 598 

Whiting,  Benjamin 241 

John 309 

Jonathan 309,  626 


INDEX. 


Whiting,  Jonas 744,  764 

Joseph. .138,  626,  629,  632,  634 

Leonard 405,  408,  410 

Samuel '744?  7^4 

Whitney,  Alexander 192 

Bengbew 64 

Benjamin 633 

James 626 

Joshua 191 

Lemuel 224 

Phinehas 634 

Silvanus 275,  629 

Whitridge,  Josiah 192 

Whittaker,  Nathan 552 

Thomas 287,  551 

Whittemore,  Aaron 512 

A 61 

Amos 515,  517,  532,  615 

David 424 

Jacob 419,  591 

Jonathan 512 

Nathaniel .424 

Pelatiah 734 

Pelatiah,  Jr 629 

• Samuel 512,  732,  736,  747 

Whitten,  John 229,  230 

Whittle,  Thomas 418,  591 

Thomas,  Jr 419 

William 591 

Whittier,  Francis 263 

Morris 350 

Wiar,  Adam 452 

Robert 649 

William 452,  462,  480,  548 

Wibird,  Richard 433 

Thomas 720 

Wicar,  John 92,  94 

Wicher,  Benjamin 754 

Jonathan 754 

Nathaniel 755 

Wiggin,  Andrew 433 

Charles 73 

Chase 6,  597,  601 

Benjamin 261,  263,  265 

Bradstreet 585 

David 67,  72,  392 

Jesse 6,  598 

Jonathan 73,  489 

Jonathan,  Jr 488 

Joseph 67 

Josiah 6,  598 

Mark 73 

William 488,  489 


851 


Wiggin,  Winthrop 393 

Wigglesworth,  Dr.  Samuel 395 

538,  733 

Wilcox,  Comfort 398,  400 

Jeremiah 357 

John 169 

Joseph 399 

Uriah 402 

Wilder,  A 324 

Elisha 357,  358 

Ephraim 357 

John 357 

Jonas 354-358 

Jonas,  Jr 357 

Joseph 357,  358 

Manassah 357 

Thomas 316 

Tilley 219 

Wilkinson,  Luke 697 

Wilkins,  Abel 204 

Abijah 472 

Amos 472 

Andrew 206 

Eli 472 

Elisha 524,  525 

Israel 615 

John  . ._ 713 

Nehemiah.  ..204,  206,  209-211 

Robert  B 662 

Timothy 204 

William 472 

Willard,  Allen 215-224 

Jonathan 367 

Josiah 48,  213,  303,  314 

Lockhart 324 

Nathan. 218,  219,  224,  225,314 

Samuel 253 

Simeon 314 

William 214 

Wille,  Ezekiel,  fr 303 

John 597,  598 

Josiah 597 

Thomas 537 

William 598,  600 

Zebulon 727 

Willey,  Allen 48,  397-403 

Allen,  Jr 398 

Charles 398,  401,  403 

Darius 751 

David 398,  401 

George 206 

Nathan 48,  398,  403 

Reuben 48,  398 


INDEX. 


■852 


Willey,  Timothy 263 

Willex,  Beltisha  : 759 

Williams,  Benjamin.  .737,  738,  764 

Edward 1 12,  1 14,  131 

Elijah 320,  322,  570 

Isaac 393 

Isaiah 392 

Jeremiah 50 

Joseph.  190,  192,  223,  346,  348 

349 

John.  ...93,  172,  174,  393,  395 

John,  Jr  393,  395 

John,  3d 394 

John  F 698 

Dr.  John 371 

Oliver 50,  51 

Peleg 426-428 

Samuel 393 

Rev.  Simon 466 

Rev.  Simon  F 17 

Stephen 606,  609 

Supply 737 

Thomas. . . .84,  86,  93,  94,  614 

Walter 131,  146 

William 50,  51,  153,  154 

William,  Jr 153 

Willis,  Abiel 386 

Daniel 386 

Hezekiah 224 

John 174 

William 71 

Willoughby,  John. . . .233,  252,  751 

Jonas 247 

Samuel 252 

Wilmot,  Edward 129 

Wilson,  Alexander.  ..453,  473,  653 

656 

Alexander,  Jr .472,  656 

Benjamin  . ..154,  434,  437,  453 

Daniel 315 

.David 190,  315,  647 

Francis 355,  356,  357 

Hugh 432,  434,  441 

James.  .434,  436,  440,  457,  458 
472,  475,  481,  651,  653,  654 

656 

James,  Jr 656 

John. . .434,  437,  453,  454,  651 

Jonas 739 

Jonas,  Jr 737 

Joseph. 281,  287,  449,  454,  522 

Joseph  B 287 

Joshua 35,  36,  200 


Wilson,  Nathaniel. .4,  8,  ii,  13,  437 

Nathaniel,  Jr 5 

Robert.. 461,  473,  475,  481,  484 
548,  651,  653,  656 

Robert,  Jr 656 

Samuel 451,  457,  458,  656 

Samuel,  Jr 458 

Stephen 357 

Supply 747 

Thaddeus 287 

Thomas .194,  441,  445,  450 

453,  454,  466,  472,  481,  644 
647,  656 

Thomas,  Jr 656 

William 64,  527 

William,  Jr 64 

Winchester,  E 351 

Wingate,  John... 73,  538,  540,  560 

Jonathan 540 

Joshua 113,  114 

Rev.  Paine 141,  151 

Winn,  Abiatha 281 

Abigail 287 

J oseph  281,  287,  288 

Joseph,  Jr 281 

Nathan 285 

Thomas  281 

Winton,  William 168,  169 

Winslow,  Bartholomew 349 

Elisha. 332,  337,  338 

Ephraim 349 

Luther 219 

Samuel 6,  339 

Wise,  Daniel 224 

Ebenezer 80 

Withington,  Elias 194 

Francis 192,  194 

John 194 

Mather 195 

Withy,  Luke 552 

Wolfe,  Gen.  James 288 

Wolley,  David 224 

Elijah 172 

Wood,  Daniel 633 

Ebenezer 27,  33,  44,  634 

Edward 43 

Gideon 271,  272 

Henry 747 

Jonathan 33,  44 

Jonas 252 

Joseph 375,  379,  442 

Joseph,  Jr 372 

Josiah 27 


INDEX. 


853 


Wood,  Oliver — 626,  629,  632,  634 

Samuel 224,  271 

William 22,  251 

Woodbridge,  Dudley 396 

Woodburn,  David. . .454,  480,  589 

John ..440,  449»  45^,  454 

Woodbury,  Elisha ,.466 

James 472 

John 77 

Josiah 252 

Peter 472 

Woodman,  Edward 392 

John 1 04- 1 09 

Jonathan 698 

Joseph 346,  349,  755 

Rev.  Joseph 17 

Joshua 336,  338,  585 

Moses 346 

Thomas 708 

Woodward,  Abel 566 

Bezaleel 171,  172,  384 

David 165,  172,  173 

Deliverance,  Jr 169 

Eleazer 512 

Ithamar.  .61,  63,  513,  532,  533 

Jehial 168 

John 513 

Jonathan 168,  170 

Nathaniel 172 

William 168,  172 

Woodwell,  David 256 

Woodworth,  Benjamin 507 

John 76 

Silvanus 76 

Woolson,  Jonas.. 523,  731,  734,  743 

Jonas,  Jr 740,  744 

Worcester,  Francis.  .526,  610.  628 

Joseph  E 232 

Noah.. .79,  229,  241,  242,  250 

Worth,  John 131 

Joseph 137,  140,  146,  344 

Lionell 487,  537 

Obediah 131,  146 

William 487 

Worthen,  Enoch 328,  329 

Ezekiel 141,  755 

Jacob 328 

Mehitabel 84 

Moses 198 

Samuel 198,  202,  751 

Worthley,  Timothy 650 

Wright,  Aaron 217,  219 

Abel 38,  732 


Wright,  Benjamin — 251,  380,  386 

606,  609 

Darius 217,  219 

David..  168,  172,  174,  206,  208 

210,  21 1 

Delano 172 

Ebenezer 174 

Eldad 216 

Ephraim 44,  3 1 5 

James 315 

John... 1 72,  626,  629,  632,  634 

John,  Jr 172,  632,  634 

Jonathan 219,  373 

Joseph 593,  625,  736 

Joshua 194,  232,  263 

Lemuel 252 

Matthew 441 

Nathan 171 

Nathaniel 1 13,  168 

Oliver..  . 634 

Phinehas....373,  375,  377,  379 

380 

Remembrance 217 

Samuel 252 

Simeon 743 

Thomas 734 

Uriah 239,  251,  589 

WinkalL.  . .547,  626,  629,  632 

634 

Zebedee 634 

Wylie,  James 480 

Robert 154 

Wyman,  Daniel 589 

Edward 442 

Isaac.  ..266,  307,  316,  317,  462 

Jonas 491 

Joseph 442 

Seth 44,  280,  287 


Yeaton,  Richard 694,  695 

Samuel 696 

York,  Benjamin, 599-602 

Benjamin,  Jr 599 

Eliphalet 392 

Jacob 393,  395 

James 392 

John 6,  599-603 

Josiah 597-603 

Thomas .392 

Robert 393 

Young,  Aaron 336,  347 

Asa 410 

Daniel 333,  336 


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